In Atascocita, post-flood mold removal usually means cutting out soaked drywall, insulation and flooring after Lake Houston-area flooding, then cleaning and drying the framing behind it. A mold assessment consultant writes the plan first, and a separate remediation company does the removal. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Atascocita.
How flooding reaches Atascocita homes
Atascocita is a large unincorporated community in northeast Harris County, about 21 miles from downtown Houston, with Lake Houston along its eastern edge. Building started in the 1970s and spread out along Will Clayton Parkway and Lake Houston Parkway into neighborhoods such as Atascocita Shores, Walden on Lake Houston, Eagle Springs and Summerwood. During Hurricane Harvey, tributaries of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River sent water into the area. In Belleau Wood, off FM 1960 between Humble and Atascocita, 36 of 40 homes were damaged, and more than 17,000 homes flooded across the Lake Houston area. When a home sits wet like that, wall cavities, carpet pad and the bottom of the drywall hold moisture long after the floor looks dry.
Drying crew or mold company: who does what
| Step | Drying and repair | Mold assessment and remediation |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Stop the water and lower moisture in the structure | Find, remove and clear mold growth |
| When | First, as soon as it is safe | Once the source is stopped and materials are drying |
| Paperwork | Moisture readings and photos for your claim | Written protocol, work plan, clearance report and a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation |
| Texas rule | Not covered by the mold license law | TDLR license needed; the assessor and the remediator must be different companies on one project |
Drying first matters because mold removal on framing that is still wet tends to fail the clearance check.
Signs a flooded room needs a mold job
- A tide line on drywall or baseboards that swells or crumbles when pressed
- A musty smell that hangs on after fans have run for days
- Spotting on the back of carpet pad or the lower edge of cabinets
- Water that reached the air handler, return or duct boots
Timing after a lake-area flood
EPA's disaster guide says to assume mold is growing if a flooded home could not be dried within 24 to 48 hours, and in an Atascocita summer that is hard to manage. Take photos before anything goes to the curb, keep children out of the cleanup, and leave the central air off if the system took water. The consultant's protocol has to reach you at least one calendar day before removal begins. Rebuilding the walls afterward needs a permit from the Harris County Office of the County Engineer, and drawings for work in the 100-year floodplain must come from a registered engineer or architect.
Post-Flood Mold Removal questions in Atascocita
How soon after floodwater gets in does mold start?
How do I find out whether my home is in a flood zone?
Why are two separate companies involved in a flood mold job?
Do I need a permit to rebuild after flood damage?
More mold services in Atascocita
Post-Flood Mold Removal nearby
Sources
- EPA: Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters (pdf)
- EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home
- TDLR: Mold Assessors and Remediators FAQs
- 16 Tex. Admin. Code 78.150: Photographs; Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation; Duty of Property Owner
- Harris County Office of the County Engineer: Permits FAQ
- Harris County Flood Education Tool
- Harris County Public Health: Climate and Health Resources
- Community Impact: Recovery continues for Lake Houston area residents one year after Hurricane Harvey
- Wikipedia: Atascocita, Texas
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