Commercial Mold Remediation in Wimauma, FL

Local conditions in Wimauma

Wimauma is a small unincorporated community in southern Hillsborough County, centered on Lake Wimauma along State Road 674 east of U.S. 301, and home to the Church of God camp meeting grounds. Buildings used for gatherings, retreats or seasonal events tend to sit empty for long stretches, and a closed building in a Tampa Bay summer gets humid fast if the AC is off or set high. Roof leaks during summer storms and hurricane season, clogged condensate lines and slow plumbing leaks are the other common sources. Rental houses in the area face the same problems, plus the gap between tenants when nobody is watching the thermostat. Renters with an unfixed leak can take it to Hillsborough County Code Enforcement, which enforces the county's property maintenance code.

Handle it in-house or hire a company?

EPA says children should not take part in cleanup after disasters, and people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy areas, which matters when volunteers offer to help.

Signs to look for

• A musty smell when the building is opened after a few weeks
• Spotting on hymnals, cushions, curtains or stored supplies
• Stained ceiling tiles in a fellowship hall or classroom
• Growth on the backs of cabinets in a kitchen used only for events
• Condensation on windows or ductwork when the building is first cooled down

Seasonal timing

Run the AC or a dehumidifier between events in summer and keep indoor humidity below 60 percent, as EPA recommends. Check the building after every major storm, since a roof leak can go unseen for weeks in an empty hall. When rebuilding after mold removal, structural work needs a permit from Hillsborough County Development Services. If you want testing, hire a mold assessor who is separate from the remediator; Florida law requires that split on the same building for 12 months.