Mold Inspection in Cleveland, TX

Signs that call for an inspection

• Floodwater or a long leak reached floors or walls and stayed more than a day or two
• A sour, earthy odor that returns when the house is closed up
• Stains or speckling at the base of walls, behind furniture or inside closets
• Warped flooring or trim
• Growth around AC vents or a wet smell from the air handler

Local conditions in Cleveland

Cleveland is a Liberty County city about 45 miles from Houston, a Union Pacific and BNSF rail junction on I-69/US 59, bordered on the north by Sam Houston National Forest. The Trinity River floods nearby. In one early-May flood, fast-moving water washed out part of the road at New River Lake Estates and flooded a bridge at The Preserve of Texas, and residents got around by boat and tractor; one compared the rise to Harvey. Harvey itself affected more than 7,000 homes across Liberty County and left about 800 with major damage or destroyed. Homes that took water in either event should be checked low on the walls and under flooring. Elsewhere in town, the usual causes are humid air, attic ducts that sweat and plumbing or roof leaks.

What affects the cost

Angi's Houston cost data reports inspection and testing averaging $453, typically $355 to $563. A flooded home with many wet rooms takes longer than a single leak, and lab samples add cost. EPA notes that sampling visible mold is usually unnecessary, so ask what each sample is for. Texas law requires a separate company for removal on the same project, so remediation is a second bill, and the assessor returns afterward for clearance.

What happens when you call

You describe the problem and are connected with an independent local assessment company. Check its TDLR license on TDLR's license search. The inspector reads moisture, checks the AC system and attic and documents growth, then gives you a written report and, if needed, a protocol. Rebuilding afterward goes through the City of Cleveland Community Development permits and inspections office at 907 E. Houston St., which works under the 2015 International Residential Code; inspection requests go to permits@cleveland.texas.gov. Renters dealing with substandard housing can contact the city's Code Compliance and Enforcement office through its GovWell portal.