Mold Testing in Highlands, TX

Living beside the San Jacinto

Highlands is an unincorporated community in east Harris County, about 24 miles from downtown Houston, on the higher east bank of the San Jacinto River with the Houston Ship Channel close by. It began as an early-1900s railway stop and grew during World War II, when it housed military members and war-plant workers. Higher ground doesn't mean no flooding: in an October 2015 storm an EF-0 tornado closed FM 2100 and the river rose about six feet above normal, flooding some homes near its banks. A house that dried out slowly after a rise like that can hold moisture in subfloors, insulation and the bottom of wall cavities long after the carpet is replaced.

Choosing between test types

Signs worth testing for

• A musty smell near exterior walls on the river side of the house.
• Flooring that cups, lifts or feels spongy.
• Rust or stains at the bottom of door frames.
• Odor that intensifies after rain or when the AC kicks on.

Timing and seasonal notes

Wait until the source of water is fixed and the house has had a chance to dry; sampling during a wet spell tells you mainly that it rained. Spring and late-summer storms tend to bring the river up, so if you are buying or repairing a home near the water, schedule testing well after the last high-water event. Before rebuilding damaged walls, check with the Harris County Office of the County Engineer, which permits development in unincorporated Highlands and has added requirements for work in the 100-year floodplain. Whoever you hire to take samples must hold a TDLR mold assessment license, and the company that later removes any mold must be a different firm.