Black mold in a Highlands home gets the same treatment EPA recommends for any indoor mold: stop the moisture, then remove the growth and any porous material it has ruined. A small patch on a hard surface can be a homeowner job, while flood-soaked walls and larger growth need a Texas mold assessor and a separate remediation company. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Highlands.

River, rain and humidity in Highlands
Highlands is an unincorporated community of about 8,600 people in east Harris County, roughly 24 miles from downtown Houston, on the higher east bank of the San Jacinto River near the Houston Ship Channel. It grew as a railway stop and boomed during World War II, when it housed military members and war-plant workers. Higher ground helps, but homes close to the river have flooded when it rose. In the October 2015 storm, an EF-0 tornado closed FM 2100 and the San Jacinto rose about six feet above normal, flooding some homes near the river. Away from the water, the usual sources of dark mold are roof leaks, plumbing drips and AC condensation in attics and on duct boots.
Cleaning versus professional removal
| Situation | Reasonable approach |
|---|---|
| Dark spots on tile, tub caulk or a window frame | Clean with detergent and water, improve ventilation |
| A patch on drywall under about 10 square feet, leak fixed | Homeowner cleanup is allowed in Texas; replace the drywall if it is soft |
| Growth along the lower wall after river or street flooding | Professional removal with containment; wall cavity likely wet |
| Black growth on vents in more than one room | Turn the AC off and have the system assessed |
| Mold in a rental you do not control | Written notice to the landlord about the leak |
The color of the growth does not change any of these answers. EPA treats all indoor mold alike, and many harmless-sounding molds are dark.

Signs it has spread past what you can see
- Musty odor that lingers in a room after airing it out
- Baseboards that have separated or swollen
- Stained or sagging ceiling drywall near the attic access
- Repeat growth in the same corner after each cleaning
Seasonal timing
Highlands sees its biggest moisture loads during spring storms, hurricane season and long humid summers when the AC rarely shuts off. If water got inside, EPA says to dry materials within 24 to 48 hours or assume mold is growing. Removal should wait until the water source is stopped, and rebuilding should wait for clearance. Putting walls back in unincorporated Harris County needs a permit from the Office of the County Engineer, and work in the 100-year floodplain needs drawings sealed by a Texas architect or engineer.
Black Mold Removal questions in Highlands
Why did black mold appear weeks after the water was gone?
Will the county health department inspect black mold for me?
Can I scrub a small black patch off myself?
What does black mold removal cost around here?
More mold services in Highlands
Black Mold Removal nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
- EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home
- EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- EPA: Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters (pdf)
- TDLR: Mold Assessors and Remediators FAQs
- Angi: How much do mold removal services typically cost? (Houston, TX)
- Harris County Office of the County Engineer: Permits FAQ
- Harris County Public Health: Neighborhood Nuisance
- Star-Courier: Tornado hits Highlands, flooding in Crosby
- Wikipedia: Highlands, Texas
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