Mold Removal & Remediation in Tampa, FL

When to bring in a remediation company

EPA draws the line at roughly 10 square feet, about a 3 ft by 3 ft patch. Below that, gloves, a respirator, a scrub brush and a fixed leak usually do the job. Above it, or when drywall, insulation or carpet stayed wet for days, the cleanup needs containment so spores and debris don't travel through the rest of the house. In Tampa that often means a roof leak after a summer storm, an air handler closet with a clogged condensate line, or a slab home where water wicked up baseboards after flooding.

What a proper job looks like

1. Source first. The leak, drain line or humidity problem gets fixed or at least identified. EPA is blunt: if the water problem stays, the mold returns.
2. Containment. Plastic sheeting and negative air keep the work area separate from living space. If mold is suspected in the ductwork, the AC should stay off.
3. Removal. Porous materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation and carpet are cut out and bagged when they are moldy. Nobody should paint or caulk over growth.
4. Cleaning and drying. Framing and hard surfaces are cleaned, then dried and checked with a moisture meter before anything is closed up.
5. Rebuild. New drywall, paint and flooring. Some companies handle this; many hand it back to you or a general contractor.

Florida's separation rule

Under s. 468.8419 of the Florida Statutes, a company that assesses a structure can't remediate that same structure within 12 months, and the remediator can't assess it either. Expect the inspection or clearance check to come from a mold assessor and the removal from a separate remediation company. Ask the person running the job whether they hold a Florida mold remediator license, then check the license on DBPR's online licensee search.

Typical Tampa cost ranges

Angi says most pros charge $10 to $25 per square foot. HomeAdvisor reports a typical Tampa range of $1,248 to $2,550. Your price depends on square footage, how many rooms need containment, whether the growth is behind walls or in the attic, and how much drywall and flooring has to be replaced afterward. Get the scope in writing and compare written estimates line by line.