AC & Air Duct Mold Removal in The Woodlands, TX

Our home is shaded and the AC runs fine. Why the mold?

A system can cool well and still stay wet. Mold grows where cold surfaces meet humid air: the evaporator coil, the pan beneath it, the boots behind ceiling grilles and any duct whose insulation has slipped or torn. In bigger homes with two or three systems, ducts run long distances through the attic, and a single crushed section can sweat all summer without anyone noticing. Oversized equipment that cycles on and off quickly cools the air without drying it, so indoor humidity drifts up. Shaded lots stay damp after rain, which can raise moisture levels around the house as well.

Did Harvey affect AC systems here?

For some homes, yes. Spring Creek, Panther Branch and Bear Branch all reached historic levels during Harvey, preliminary data showed 141 homes in The Woodlands with flood damage, and the fire department made 224 high-water rescues and evacuations. Where water reached an air handler or ductwork, EPA's disaster guidance says to assume mold if things could not be dried within 24 to 48 hours. Systems that were cleaned quickly and put back into service are worth checking if odors persist, particularly returns and duct boots close to the floor, where floodwater and silt could have collected unseen.

How does the process work in Texas?

A mold assessment consultant inspects the system and writes a protocol naming which grilles, ducts and equipment get cleaned or removed. A separate company holding a TDLR mold remediation license follows it, since Texas bars one firm from both roles on the same project. A post-remediation assessment checks clearance, and you receive a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation. Repairs to the unit itself often go to an HVAC contractor.

A local note

The Woodlands is a township in unincorporated Montgomery County, with a portion in Harris County, about 27 miles from Houston. Building work in the Montgomery County part runs through the county Permit Department under Environmental Health, which also handles floodplain matters; homes on the Harris County side should check with that county. The Montgomery County Public Health District does not list mold among the complaints it accepts, so the assessment is arranged privately. If you're selling, remember that a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation from the past five years must be shared with the buyer.