Commercial Mold Remediation in Crosby, TX

Has flooding hit Crosby businesses before?

Yes. During an October 2015 storm, the Harris County Flood Control District measured about 13 inches of rain, and businesses at a Crosby shopping center flooded with more than four inches of water on shop floors. Four inches does not sound like much, but it is enough to wick up drywall, soak carpet and wet the bottom of fixtures and shelving. EPA says water-damaged materials should be dried within 24 to 48 hours; when a strip center floods overnight and the power is out, that window closes fast. Crosby is a small unincorporated community in east Harris County, about 25 miles from downtown Houston, that grew as a railroad shipping point, and its businesses line U.S. Route 90, FM 2100 and nearby roads.

Can my employees clean it up?

In a non-residential building, the owner or tenant and their employees may clean mold that covers less than 25 contiguous square feet without a TDLR license. Once it reaches that size, the cleanup must be done by a company that holds a TDLR mold remediation license, and anyone you pay to do mold work needs that license regardless of size. For a flooded retail bay, the wet drywall and carpet usually push the job well past the threshold. EPA's commercial-building guidance calls for containment, protective gear and removal of porous items that cannot be cleaned.

What will the process look like?

A mold assessment consultant inspects and writes a protocol listing the areas, materials, containment and clearance criteria, delivered at least a day before work. A different company does the removal, since Texas forbids one firm from doing both on the same project. For 25 contiguous square feet or more, the remediation company notifies TDLR at least five days in advance. After the work, the consultant does a post-remediation assessment; then you receive before-and-after photos and a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation within 10 days.

A local note

Rebuilding after demolition in unincorporated Crosby needs a permit from the Harris County Office of the County Engineer, and floodplain work carries extra rules, such as sealed drawings in the 100-year floodplain. Call the county before ordering replacement drywall or flooring.