Mold Removal & Remediation in San Antonio, FL

Local conditions

San Antonio is a small, rural city in east Pasco County, founded as a Catholic colony and set on the western shore of Lake Jovita near Saint Leo University. The land rises from about 110 feet to 183 feet, well above the coastal surge zones that hit west Pasco. That doesn't make a house immune. Tampa Bay summers are long, wet and humid, and most homes run air conditioning for much of the year. A clogged condensate line, a rusted drain pan or an air handler sweating in a closet can wet drywall and flooring without anyone noticing. Roof leaks after afternoon thunderstorms and hurricane-season rain bands are the other big source. If you're near the lake, Pasco County's Find My Flood Zone lookup will show whether your address falls in a mapped flood zone.

DIY or professional?

Signs to watch for

• Dark spotting on ceiling drywall near the air handler or attic hatch
• Water stains that grow a little after every storm
• Cupped wood floors or loose vinyl near a bathroom or kitchen
• A lingering musty odor in closets on outside walls

Timing

EPA's rule of thumb is to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours; after that, assume growth has started. Summer is the hardest season because rain and humidity slow drying, so keep indoor humidity under 60 percent with the AC or a dehumidifier. If the job turns into rebuilding drywall or framing, the City of San Antonio approves building permit applications first, and the City of Dade City Building Department then provides permit services under a local agreement. For health questions, the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is the local resource. Florida law also keeps the remediator from assessing or clearing the same house within 12 months, so any testing comes from a separate mold assessor.