Black Mold Removal in Thonotosassa, FL

Local conditions

Thonotosassa covers northeastern Hillsborough County between the Hillsborough River on the north, I-4 on the south and I-75 on the west, with Lake Thonotosassa at its heart. The 2020 Census counted it as mostly urban with a rural share of about 23 percent, so the housing runs from subdivision homes to older properties off U.S. 301, Fort King Road and Morris Bridge Road. Near the lake and river, check Hillsborough County's flood maps; the county notes that high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas have a 1 percent annual chance of flooding and that most homeowner policies don't cover flood damage.

Inside the house, dark growth here usually starts at a roof leak after a storm, a plumbing leak, or an AC system that isn't pulling humidity down. On rural lots with private wells, DOH-Hillsborough advises disinfecting a well after it floods, a step to take alongside mold cleanup if high water reached the wellhead.

Do it yourself or hire it out

Signs to look for

• Black spotting on ceilings below the attic after rain
• Warped baseboards and dark staining at floor level
• A musty smell in a closet or the air handler closet
• Growth on stored items in a garage or shed

Timing and seasons

Hurricane season runs June through November, and that's when roof leaks and high water tend to start problems. Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours if you can. If you can't, plan on removal rather than cleaning. In the hottest months, keep the thermostat at a steady setting rather than shutting the AC off while you are away, so humidity doesn't build in a closed house. Permits for repairs come from Hillsborough County Development Services, and Hillsborough County Code Enforcement lists mold among the housing complaints it takes in unincorporated areas.