Mold in Walls & Drywall in Alvin, TX

Signs to look for

• A stain that grows a little after every big storm
• Drywall that sounds hollow or feels soft near the floor
• Paint peeling inside a bathroom even with the fan running
• Musty air when you open a hall closet or linen closet
• Water marks on the wall under an attic air handler

Why Alvin walls get wet

Alvin, a Brazoria County city of about 27,000 people roughly 27 miles from Houston, knows heavy rain. In July 1979, Tropical Storm Claudette stalled over the city and dropped about 45 inches in 42 hours, including 43 inches in 24 hours, at the time the highest 24-hour rainfall in American history. Hurricane Ike later damaged enough of the town that the Alvin Library had to close for repairs. Big storms are only part of it. In a flat, humid area where clay soil drains slowly, rain finds its way past window frames and brick, attic air handlers overflow their pans, and plumbing walls leak quietly. Alvin also has manufactured home parks, where wall panels and insulation can hold water from roof or plumbing leaks. Any of these sources can wet a wall for weeks before a stain reaches the paint.

What affects the price

Angi's Houston cost data reports an average of $2,016 for mold removal, with typical jobs from $863 to $3,329. Expect the total to rise with the length and height of wall removed, wet insulation, tile or cabinets in the way, and containment for multiple rooms. A mold assessment consultant bills separately for the protocol and the clearance check. Repairs need a permit in Alvin: the city's Permits & Inspections office requires permits for remodeling and repairs, and residential owners must show proof of homestead exemption before buying one; call 281-388-4271 for inspections and plan review.

What happens when you call

You'll speak with an independent local company about where the wall is, what's on the other side and when the problem started. A consultant who holds a TDLR license writes the protocol, a separate company that holds a TDLR mold remediation contractor license does the removal, and the consultant confirms clearance. Renters with a leak the landlord won't fix can contact Alvin Code Compliance at 281-388-4325.