Black Mold Removal in Spring, TX

Cypress Creek and Spring homes

Spring is an unincorporated community of about 62,600 people in north Harris County, roughly 19 miles from downtown Houston, that grew after the 1970s as subdivisions spread north. Many homes were built in low areas along Cypress Creek. In the April 2016 Tax Day flood, about 1,700 homes along the creek flooded, and some homes in north Harris County that flooded in April flooded again on Memorial Day. During Hurricane Harvey, more than 8,700 homes along Cypress Creek took on water; Inverness Forest and Northwood Pines were damaged, Lemm Elementary flooded, and Ponderosa Forest and Champion Forest were among the hardest-hit neighborhoods. A house that flooded twice in two years and was dried in a hurry is a likely place for black growth inside wall cavities.

DIY or professional?

Texas lets homeowners clean mold in their own home. Once you hire someone, the assessment and the removal must go to separate companies: a mold assessment consultant who holds a TDLR license writes the protocol and later checks clearance, and a company with a TDLR mold remediation contractor license does the cutting, bagging and cleaning. Angi's Houston cost data puts most removal jobs between $863 and $3,329, before the consultant's fee.

Warning signs

• Baseboards swollen or pulling away from the wall
• Black spotting behind furniture on the first floor
• Musty odor that gets stronger after rain
• Dark dust on vents near an attic air handler

Seasonal notes for Spring

Spring storms and hurricane season bring the creek up, while summer humidity and long AC run times feed condensation mold in attics and on ducts. EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. Before rebuilding walls, the Harris County Office of the County Engineer issues the development permit in unincorporated Spring, and the Harris County Flood Education Tool shows whether your address sits in a mapped floodplain.