Oldsmar sits at the top of Old Tampa Bay, and Hurricane Helene's surge flooded some neighborhoods badly while others nearby stayed dry. Mold follows wherever materials stayed wet, whether from surge or an ordinary leak. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Oldsmar.
Mold services in Oldsmar
Oldsmar is a small Pinellas County city about 15 miles from Tampa, founded in 1916 as a planned community laid out by automobile pioneer Ransom E. Olds. It calls itself the "Top of the Bay," and its bayfront position on upper Old Tampa Bay shapes its flood risk.
How Helene played out here
Helene's surge reached several feet in parts of one neighborhood a few blocks off Tampa Road. On Shore Drive, some homes were described as essentially totaled, a garage took about 4 feet of water, and appliances and debris piled up at the curb. Yet areas along Tampa Road looked untouched, and several residents didn't expect flooding that severe. The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County warned afterward that moisture from flooding or leaks speeds up mold growth that can keep damaging a house long after the storm.
If your home took on water, EPA's guidance is to assume mold if it couldn't be dried in 24 to 48 hours, remove soaked drywall, insulation and carpet, and wear at least an N-95 respirator during cleanup.
Oldsmar homes
The median home in Oldsmar was built around 1988, and about 23.3 percent date from before 1980. Most are single-family, about 57.1 percent detached and 14.7 percent attached, with about 7.7 percent mobile homes. Roughly 23 percent of households rent. In homes from the 1980s and 1990s, common mold sources include original AC air handlers, aging water heaters, roof flashing and window seals.
| Where you see it | Likely source |
|---|---|
| Ceiling stain near the AC closet | Clogged condensate line or drain pan |
| Baseboards along exterior walls | Flood water or wind-driven rain |
| Under sink cabinets | Slow supply or drain leak |
| Closet walls and shoes | High indoor humidity |
Permits and complaints
Oldsmar contracts its building work to Pinellas County, which acts as the city's building official, performs inspections and plan reviews, and places an inspector in the city's Building Division part of the week. Drywall, structural and post-storm repair permits go through Pinellas County Building Services. Pinellas says every property is in some level of flood zone and most homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood.
For rental problems, the City of Oldsmar Code Enforcement Division handles property maintenance and community standards; reports go through its online form, with name and address required. Health questions can go to DOH-Pinellas.
On the call
You'll be connected with an independent local company. Florida's s. 468.8419 separates assessment from removal for 12 months on the same structure, so expect different companies for each. Check the remediator's license on DBPR's online search.
Common questions in Oldsmar
Who issues building permits in Oldsmar?
My Oldsmar street didn't flood in Helene. Can I skip a flood check?
Where do Oldsmar renters report property problems?
Do I need to throw out wet drywall?
Nearby cities and towns
Sources
- Wikipedia: Oldsmar, Florida
- Tampa Bay 28: Oldsmar neighbors share Hurricane Helene damage
- DOH-Pinellas: Hurricane Helene relief information
- Point2Homes: Oldsmar demographics and housing
- Pinellas County Building Services
- Pinellas County: Flood Information
- City of Oldsmar Code Enforcement
- EPA: Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters (pdf)
- EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home
- Florida Statutes s. 468.8419, Prohibitions; penalties (Florida Senate)
- Florida DBPR Mold-Related Services FAQs
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