Mold Remediation in Mulberry, FL

Mulberry is a small city in Polk County, incorporated in 1901 and about 30 miles from Tampa. It sits in the Bone Valley, where phosphate mining dominates the local economy, and the chamber of commerce calls it the "Phosphate Capital of the World." State Roads 60 and 37 cross here, and the Alafia River Reserve is nearby.

Inland doesn't mean dry

Mulberry is well away from the coast, so storm surge isn't a factor. Mold here comes from ordinary sources that Florida's climate makes worse:

Florida DOH advises drying wet building materials and carpet within 24 hours, since common molds can take hold when water stands that long. EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent and not running an HVAC system you suspect is contaminated, since it could spread mold.

Permits and code questions

Because Mulberry is an incorporated city, building permits and code enforcement may run through the city rather than the county. Check with the City of Mulberry about who issues building permits for repairs after remediation, such as new drywall, framing or roof work, and about where renters can report a leak or moisture problem a landlord hasn't fixed. City Hall can point you to the right office.

Health department

The Florida Department of Health in Polk County, based in Bartow, lists indoor air quality among its environmental health services. EPA says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs, and people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy areas. Talk with a health professional about health concerns.

What to expect when you call

The number connects you with an independent remediation company that covers Mulberry and the surrounding Polk County area. Be ready to describe where the growth is, roughly how big it is and whether the leak has been fixed. For testing or a clearance check, you'd use a separate mold assessor: Florida's s. 468.8419 bars a company that assessed a home from remediating it within 12 months, and the reverse. Ask whoever runs the job whether they hold a Florida mold remediator license and check it on DBPR's online licensee search. For a sense of cost, Angi reports typical Tampa-area remediation jobs in the range of $1,347 to $3,778; your price depends on size, location and how much has to be rebuilt.