Mold Inspection and Remediation in Fort Pierce

Older Fort Pierce homes on raised floors, plaster walls and houses near the lagoon all have their own mold problems. The cause is usually moisture under the floor, in the walls, or from flooding.

County: St. Lucie County
Permits: Usually the City of Fort Pierce for addresses inside city limits, and St. Lucie County for unincorporated areas. Confirm for your address.

Fort Pierce has many homes from the 1920s to the 1960s, some on piers with a crawlspace underneath, some with plaster walls instead of drywall. Many were built without central air and had it added later. Low lying areas near the Indian River Lagoon and Taylor Creek can take on water in big storms, and beachside buildings deal with constant humidity and salt.

Crawlspaces and older homes

Under a raised floor, humid air, standing water after rain and poor ventilation can lead to mold on floor joists, subfloor and insulation. Ducts run through crawlspaces can sweat. You might notice a musty smell inside, soft spots in the floor, or more bugs. A mold assessor can check the crawlspace and tell you whether the fix is drainage, ventilation, vapor barrier, duct repair or remediation. See AC repair in Fort Pierce if ducts are involved.

Plaster walls hold up better to small leaks than drywall but are harder to open up and repair. Old cast iron or galvanized pipe leaks inside walls are common too. See plumbing in Fort Pierce.

Flooding near the water

Homes near the lagoon, Taylor Creek and other low spots can get water inside during storms with heavy rain or surge. Wet drywall, insulation and carpet usually need to come out quickly to keep mold from spreading. Photograph everything first for insurance. Lead paint can be an issue when tearing out materials in pre 1978 homes, so ask the remediator how they handle it.

Condos on Hutchinson Island

In condo buildings, a leak can come from a neighbor's unit or a shared wall or pipe. The association's documents usually say who is responsible for what. Contact management early, before you hire someone to open walls.

Licensing

Florida licenses mold assessors and mold remediators separately, and in general the same company shouldn't both assess and remediate the same job. Check licenses at myfloridalicense.com. General information is on the mold remediation page, and the city overview is on the Fort Pierce area page.

Check before you hireFlorida licenses mold assessors and mold remediators separately, and the assessor generally should not also do the remediation on the same job. Look up the license at myfloridalicense.com and ask for proof of insurance.

Mold remediation questions in Fort Pierce

My older Fort Pierce house smells musty. Could it be the crawlspace?

Often, yes. Humid air, water after rain, and poor ventilation under a raised floor can lead to mold on joists and subfloor, and the smell comes up through the floor. Sweating ducts under the house add moisture. A mold assessor can inspect the crawlspace and tell you what's causing it before any work is quoted.

What should I do after storm water gets into my Fort Pierce home?

Take photos, call your insurer, and get wet materials out quickly. Drywall, insulation and carpet that stay wet for more than a day or two often grow mold. Dry the house with fans and AC or dehumidifiers. In homes built before 1978, ask about lead safe practices when tearing out old materials.

Who is responsible for mold in my Hutchinson Island condo?

It depends on where the water came from and what your association's documents say. Leaks from shared pipes or the building exterior are often the association's responsibility, while problems inside your unit may be yours. Contact management early, document everything, and check your own insurance policy.

Do plaster walls in my older Fort Pierce home have to come out if there's mold?

Not always. Plaster holds up to brief wetting better than drywall, and surface mold on sound plaster can often be cleaned once the leak is fixed and the wall dries. Plaster that stayed wet, crumbles or has mold behind it may need to be opened. A licensed mold assessor can test and write a plan, and the remediation should follow it. If the house is pre 1978, ask about lead paint before any demolition.

For the general guide, see Mold inspection and remediation on the Treasure Coast. For more about the town, see Fort Pierce.

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