Mold Remediation in Dayton, TX

West Liberty, now Dayton

Dayton was founded as West Liberty, about three miles west of the Trinity River. It is a Liberty County city of about 8,800 people on US 90, about 38 miles from downtown Houston in a straight line, and a Union Pacific and BNSF rail junction with a BNSF rail yard just south of town. SH 321, SH 146 toward Baytown, FM 1960, FM 1409 and the Grand Parkway all reach the area. The 2020 census counted about 78 percent of residents as urban.

The river and Harvey

During Hurricane Harvey, releases from Lake Livingston into the Trinity River matched the 1994 record. Across Liberty County, more than 7,000 homes were affected and about 800 had major damage or were destroyed. If your home took water then, and especially if walls were dried in place instead of opened, a check for hidden mold is reasonable.

What to do now

1. Find and stop the water source, whether it is a roof, plumbing line or AC drain.
2. Dry what you can within 24 to 48 hours, as EPA advises.
3. Do not run the HVAC system if you suspect the ducts are contaminated.
4. Do not paint or caulk over mold.
5. For areas larger than about 10 square feet, or after major water damage, bring in professionals.

Why houses stay damp here

Long humid summers keep air conditioning running most of the year. Attic air handlers, drain pans and condensate lines can overflow, and ducts sweat. Flat land with clay soils drains slowly after heavy tropical rain. Pier-and-beam homes can hold damp air below the floor, and slab homes can hide plumbing leaks.

Permits

The City of Dayton Building Division, part of Planning & Development Services, issues permits for commercial and residential construction activities, and inspections are generally required for each permit. Plan review for new construction can take up to 10 days. Mold removal is not described as permitted work, but rebuilding afterward may be.

Renters

Texas Property Code 92.052 requires a landlord to make a diligent effort to repair conditions that materially affect a tenant's health or safety once the tenant gives notice and is current on rent. Put it in writing. General information, not legal advice. For health concerns, see a health professional.

Texas mold rules

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