Mold Remediation in Bellaire, TX

Bellaire calls itself the City of Homes. It is a mostly residential city of about 17,000 people (2020 Census), about 6 miles in a straight line from central Houston, entirely surrounded by Houston and West University Place. Many original post-World War II houses in neighborhoods like Southdale and Broad Acres have been torn down and replaced, so a single street can mix older homes with brand-new elevated ones.

Brays Bayou and Bellaire's flood record

When Brays Bayou overflows, water reaches the city. The city's floodplain overview counts more than 1,400 structures flooded in Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, more than 200 in the 2015 Memorial Day storm and more than 2,000 in Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Nearly all of the flooded structures in Harvey were not built to the current elevation standard. Flooded drywall, carpet pad and insulation that cannot be dried within 24 to 48 hours should be treated as moldy, according to EPA.

The city's flood repair rules

Bellaire Development Services issues building permits through its SmartGov portal (713-662-8230). Every flood-related repair needs a permit, which the city issues for free, and it must be in hand before work begins. Buildings that are substantially damaged or substantially improved, meaning 50 percent of pre-damage market value, must meet current floodplain rules, including construction at or above the city's Design Flood Elevation. The city also warns residents about dishonest contractors after floods. Mold removal is not itself permitted work, but the drywall and framing repairs that follow often are.

Renters in Bellaire

Development Services' Code Compliance staff take concerns through SeeClickFix's Report a Concern or the Code Compliance Officer at 713-662-8237. Tell your landlord about the leak in writing; Texas Property Code 92.052 sets a landlord's duty to make a diligent effort to repair conditions affecting health or safety after notice, if rent is current. TexasLawHelp explains the steps; none of this is legal advice. Harris County Public Health is the county health department.

Texas licensing in brief

TDLR licenses both mold assessors and mold remediators. The assessor writes the protocol, a different company removes the mold, and the assessor returns to check clearance. Within 10 days after the job, the remediator gives you before-and-after photos and a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation (CMDR). Check both companies on TDLR's license search.

Calling this line

Have a rough idea of the affected area and whether the water came from the bayou, the roof or the AC. You'll be connected with an independent local company that serves Bellaire.