Post-Remediation Clearance Testing in Humble, TX

Signs it's time for clearance

• A mold remediation company has finished removal and taken down, or wants to take down, containment.
• Walls are open to the studs after river or creek water got inside.
• The contractor is pushing to start drywall and paint.
• You want written proof for a future buyer or your insurer.

Local conditions in Humble

Humble is a city of about 16,800 people in northeast Harris County, roughly 17 miles from downtown Houston, that grew as an oil boomtown after oil was found in 1904. It sits in the Lake Houston area with the San Jacinto River and Cypress Creek nearby. During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, both waterways breached their banks and flooded roads, bridges and homes; the river covered parts of Interstate 69 and crested above 68 feet, and rescues took place in the Northshire subdivision. The city manager later said 340 homes in Humble were affected, and many owners lacked flood insurance.

When repairs come out of pocket, it is tempting to skip steps. Clearance is not one to skip. Closing up a cavity that still holds moisture can mean paying for the same wall twice.

The City of Humble Building Department at City Hall, 114 W. Higgins St., handles permits and requires plan submission for interior remodels and floodplain work, so check with it before rebuilding. Renters dealing with leaks a landlord won't fix can contact City of Humble Code Enforcement, whose role includes substandard and minimum housing inspections.

Cost factors

The consultant's clearance fee depends on the number of work areas, the samples written into the criteria and whether a failed result means a repeat visit. Angi's Houston cost data lists typical inspection and testing at $355-$563. Angi's national figures add about $50-$75 for an HVAC sample attached to an air test, if the protocol calls for one. The remediation contractor bills separately, because Texas does not allow the same company to assess and remediate one project.

What happens when you call

You'll be asked where the mold was, how large the area is and whether a consultant has already written a protocol. If one has, you'll arrange the return visit with that consultant. If remediation hasn't started, you'll be connected with a local mold inspector who can plan it, so the same person can declare clearance at the end. Have photos and any paperwork from the removal company ready.