Mold
Questions
Answered.

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in multicellular filaments and reproduces through microscopic spores. It thrives in warm, humid environments — which makes Houston's subtropical climate ideal for mold growth year-round. While some molds are relatively harmless, others — particularly Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) and several other species — produce mycotoxins that can cause serious health issues including respiratory problems, allergic reactions, headaches, fatigue, and in severe cases, neurological symptoms. Even non-toxic molds can trigger asthma and allergies, and all molds cause structural damage to the materials they grow on over time.

Common signs include: a musty or earthy odor that doesn't go away, visible dark spots on walls, ceilings, or around windows, unexplained health symptoms (coughing, sneezing, headaches, fatigue) that improve when you leave the home, recent water damage or flooding, and visible condensation or moisture on surfaces. However, mold frequently grows hidden inside walls, under flooring, in HVAC systems, and in attics — with no visible or odor signs at all. The only way to know for certain is a professional inspection.

In Houston's climate, mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours of water intrusion. This is why emergency response speed is so critical after flooding, pipe bursts, or any water event. After 72 hours, mold colonies are well-established. After a week, mold has typically spread to adjacent materials. This timeline is the reason we offer 24/7 emergency response — every hour of delay creates more growth and more remediation cost.

Yes — significantly. Houston's subtropical climate features year-round high humidity, average annual rainfall of 50+ inches, and temperatures that rarely drop below freezing. This means there is virtually no "mold season" in Houston — mold grows year-round. Combined with Houston's history of major flooding events (Harvey, Imelda, and regular tropical systems), Houston consistently ranks among the worst U.S. cities for mold risk in homes and buildings.

Our TDLR-licensed mold inspection includes a comprehensive visual assessment of all accessible areas — attic, HVAC system, all bathrooms, kitchen, under sinks, around windows, garage, and any areas of known concern. We take moisture readings, humidity measurements, temperature readings, and dangerous gas readings throughout the property. We collect air samples (indoor and outdoor control) and surface samples as needed, which are sent to a nationally accredited laboratory for analysis. You receive a complete Mold Assessment Report and Mold Management Plan with findings and recommended next steps.

A standard residential inspection takes 1 to 2 hours depending on the size of the home and number of areas of concern. Larger homes, commercial properties, or properties with multiple problem areas may take longer. We never rush an inspection — thoroughness is the entire point.

Laboratory results typically return within 3 to 5 business days. Once we receive lab results, we compile your complete Mold Assessment Report and Mold Management Plan and deliver it to you promptly. If you have a real estate transaction with a tight deadline, let us know — we can discuss expedited options.

We recommend that the homeowner or an authorized representative be present during the inspection. This allows us to ask questions about the home's history, identify areas of specific concern, and walk you through our findings in real time. For rental properties, the property owner or manager should be present or provide authorization for their tenant to allow access.

A mold inspection is the physical walkthrough and assessment of your property — identifying visible mold, moisture sources, and risk areas. Mold testing refers specifically to the collection and laboratory analysis of air and surface samples. At Texas Total Mold, testing is included as part of our inspection — we collect samples during every inspection and send them to our accredited lab. Some companies offer "testing only" without a proper inspection, but without the full assessment context, test results alone don't tell the complete story.

Our nationally accredited laboratory tests for the full spectrum of mold species present in air and surface samples, including Stachybotrys (black mold), Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Chaetomium, and all other relevant species. The report identifies species, spore counts, and compares indoor levels to outdoor control samples to determine if elevated mold is present. This scientific documentation is accepted by insurance companies, lenders, title companies, and Texas courts.

Our standard inspection includes 2 air samples — one indoor and one outdoor control. Additional samples at $75 each may be recommended when multiple distinct areas of concern exist (e.g., a problem in the attic AND in a bathroom), when surface sampling of visible mold is needed to identify specific species, or when a larger property requires more sampling points for complete coverage. We always explain why additional samples are recommended and obtain your consent before collecting them.

No — and this is one of the most important consumer protections in Texas mold law. Texas law prohibits the same company from performing both the mold assessment and the mold remediation on the same property. This rule exists specifically to prevent conflicts of interest — a company that profits from remediation has every financial incentive to over-diagnose mold during the assessment. At Texas Total Mold, we perform assessments and refer remediation to trusted licensed partners. Our assessments are always honest because we have no financial stake in the remediation outcome.

Professional mold remediation involves: containment of the affected area to prevent cross-contamination, removal of mold-affected materials (drywall, insulation, flooring, etc.) following TDLR protocols, HEPA air filtration and vacuuming, treatment of affected structural surfaces, and proper disposal of contaminated materials. After remediation is complete, a TDLR-licensed consultant (not the same company that did the remediation) must perform clearance testing and issue a CMDR certificate confirming the work was successful.

Remediation timelines vary widely based on scope. A contained bathroom issue might take 1 to 2 days. A larger area affecting multiple rooms could take 3 to 5 days. Whole-home remediation following major flooding can take 1 to 2 weeks or longer. Your remediation contractor will provide a detailed work plan and timeline with their bid.

For very small, isolated patches of mold (less than 10 square feet) on non-porous surfaces, DIY cleaning with appropriate products may be sufficient. However, for anything larger, hidden mold, or mold in HVAC systems or structural materials, professional remediation is strongly recommended. DIY attempts on larger problems often spread mold rather than eliminate it. Additionally, if you ever need to sell your home or make an insurance claim, only work performed by a TDLR-licensed contractor and certified with a CMDR will be recognized by lenders and insurance companies.

CMDR stands for Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation. It is an official Texas document issued by a TDLR-licensed Mold Assessment Consultant after performing clearance testing following mold remediation. The CMDR certifies that mold remediation was performed in accordance with Texas standards and that post-remediation air quality meets clearance criteria. It is legally required for Texas real estate transactions when mold remediation has occurred on a property.

You need a CMDR when: (1) you are selling a Texas property where mold remediation has been performed — lenders will require it before the loan can close; (2) your insurance company requires documentation of completed remediation; (3) a tenant, employer, or other party requires certified proof that a property is mold-free after remediation. Without a CMDR, there is no official documentation that remediation was performed correctly — which creates significant legal and financial liability.

Only a TDLR-licensed Mold Assessment Consultant (MAC) can issue a CMDR in Texas. This must be a different party than the company that performed the remediation. Texas Total Mold holds license #MAC1791 and is authorized to perform clearance testing and issue CMDR certificates. Be cautious of any company offering CMDRs without verifiable TDLR licensure — an improperly issued CMDR has no legal standing.

Yes. Texas has some of the strictest mold licensing requirements in the nation. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requires separate licenses for mold assessment and mold remediation. Anyone performing mold assessment, consulting, or remediation for compensation in Texas must hold the appropriate TDLR license. Always verify a contractor's TDLR license before hiring — you can check at the TDLR website. Texas Total Mold holds three active TDLR licenses: RCO1481, MRC1768, and MAC1791.

Texas law mandates this separation specifically to protect consumers from conflicts of interest. A company that profits from remediation has a direct financial incentive to find mold — even where little or none exists — and to recommend more extensive (and expensive) remediation than necessary. By requiring separate licensed parties for assessment and remediation, Texas ensures that the assessment is unbiased. This is a consumer protection law, and it's one we fully support and comply with.

Texas law requires landlords to make repairs that materially affect the health or safety of tenants — and mold qualifies. While Texas doesn't have a specific mandatory mold disclosure statute for rentals, landlords who knowingly rent properties with significant mold conditions face substantial legal liability. Tenants who discover mold have legal remedies including the right to request repairs and, in some cases, terminate the lease. For real estate sales, Texas sellers must disclose known mold conditions on the standard Texas disclosure form.

Mold exposure can cause a wide range of health effects depending on the species, concentration, and individual sensitivity. Common symptoms include nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, throat irritation, eye irritation, skin rash, and headaches. People with asthma, allergies, or compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable. Certain mold species — particularly those that produce mycotoxins like Stachybotrys — have been associated with more serious neurological symptoms in cases of heavy exposure. If you or family members have unexplained recurring health symptoms that improve when you leave the home, mold should be investigated as a possible cause.

For small, contained remediation projects, staying in the home may be acceptable with proper containment in place. For larger remediation projects involving significant mold or multiple areas of the home, temporary relocation is strongly recommended — particularly for children, elderly individuals, and anyone with respiratory conditions. Your remediation contractor will advise on whether relocation is necessary based on the scope of work.

Yes. The remediation methods used by our licensed partners prioritize the safety of all occupants. Treatment products are selected to be effective against mold while minimizing harm to people and pets. We always recommend that people and pets vacate the property during active remediation and until the space has been properly ventilated following treatment.

Absolutely — and we consider it essential in Houston. Standard home inspectors are not licensed mold inspectors and do not perform air sampling or laboratory testing. They may note visible mold concerns, but they cannot provide the scientific documentation needed for insurance, lending, or legal purposes. Given Houston's flood history, humidity, and slab foundation challenges, a pre-purchase mold inspection from a TDLR-licensed consultant is one of the smartest investments a buyer can make. The cost is minimal compared to the potential cost of post-purchase remediation.

Yes — significantly if discovered. Mold found during a buyer's inspection can result in price renegotiation, required remediation before closing, or outright deal termination. If remediation has previously occurred, lenders typically require a CMDR certificate before the loan can close. The best approach for sellers is a pre-listing mold inspection — identify and address any issues before they become buyer leverage. A clean inspection report or a CMDR certificate from completed remediation gives buyers and lenders confidence and keeps your deal on track.

Mold alone rarely makes a home permanently unsellable, but undisclosed mold can create serious legal liability for sellers in Texas. Significant mold that is professionally remediated and documented with a CMDR certificate can be disclosed and sold without major issue — buyers understand that Houston homes sometimes have mold history. What kills deals is undisclosed mold discovered during the buyer's inspection, or remediation that was done without proper TDLR licensing and documentation.

Our standard mold inspection starts at $485, which includes the full property inspection, 2 air samples (indoor and outdoor), laboratory analysis, Mold Assessment Report, and Mold Management Plan. Additional samples are available at $75 each when recommended. For clearance testing and CMDR issuance, the fee also starts at $485. Remediation costs vary based on scope and are quoted individually after assessment.

It depends on the cause. Texas homeowners insurance typically covers mold only when it results from a covered peril — such as a sudden pipe burst or accidental water discharge. Mold from gradual leaks, flooding (which requires separate flood insurance), or neglected maintenance is generally not covered. Some policies have specific mold coverage limits or exclusions. We recommend reviewing your policy carefully and consulting your insurance agent. Our TDLR-licensed assessment reports and lab results are accepted by all major Texas insurance carriers when claims are filed.

We serve the entire Greater Houston metro area including Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, Montgomery, and Chambers counties. A $100 trip charge may apply for locations at the outer edges of our service area. Most Greater Houston communities fall within our standard service zone with no trip charge. Call us to confirm for your specific location.