Mold Remediation in Alvin, TX

A town with a rainfall record

In July 1979, Tropical Storm Claudette stalled over Alvin and dropped about 45 inches of rain in 42 hours, including 43 inches in 24 hours, at the time the highest 24-hour rainfall in American history. Hurricane Ike in 2008 damaged the Alvin Library badly enough that it had to close for repairs. Storms that stall over flat Gulf Coast ground can put water into homes from below and through roofs at the same time.

EPA's rule after any of that is to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, and to assume mold where that did not happen. Porous materials such as carpet, ceiling tiles and insulation often have to be thrown away.

Alvin today

Alvin is a Brazoria County city of about 27,000 people, roughly 27 miles from downtown Houston in a straight line, along SH 35 and SH 6. It is home to Alvin Community College and is best known as Nolan Ryan's hometown. Housing includes manufactured home parks as well as site-built homes.

Day to day, the culprits are familiar across the Houston area: an air handler in a hot attic, a condensate line that clogs, ducts that sweat in humid months, and bathrooms that never dry out.

Permits and code compliance

The City of Alvin's Permits & Inspections office requires permits and inspections for new construction, remodeling and repairs, and its rules also cover repairs in manufactured home parks. Residential owners must show proof of a homestead exemption before buying permits. Mold removal is not described as permitted work, but rebuilding afterward is a repair, so ask the city before replacing walls.

Renters dealing with a leak the landlord has not fixed can contact the City of Alvin Code Compliance Department on W Highway 6. Under Texas Property Code 92.052, a landlord must make a diligent effort to repair a condition that materially affects health or safety after the tenant gives notice and is current on rent. This is general information, not legal advice.

County health resources

The Brazoria County Health Department is the county health department. Its page does not list mold or housing complaints, but the county's Environmental Health disaster resource page links flood-cleanup guidance. For symptoms, see a health professional.

What Texas requires

A TDLR mold assessment consultant writes the protocol, a separate company does the remediation, and the consultant confirms clearance afterward. You then receive a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation. When you call, you will be connected with an independent local company that serves Alvin.