Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Houston, TX

Sorting the job by what you see

Cleaning small areas yourself

1. Wear gloves, eye protection and an N-95 respirator.
2. Scrub hard surfaces with detergent and water, then dry them completely.
3. Bag and discard moldy porous items you can't clean, like old bath mats or ceiling tiles.
4. Do not paint or caulk over mold. New caulk on moldy grout just hides the problem.

Texas lets homeowners clean mold in their own home without any state license, at any size. EPA's guidance is that patches under about 10 square feet are usually a do-it-yourself job.

Why it keeps coming back in Houston

Mildew returns when the air stays damp. With the AC running most of the year, an oversized unit that cools fast but removes little moisture, a slow bathroom fan, or a drain pan that doesn't empty can keep rooms above the 60 percent humidity EPA recommends staying under. A hygrometer shows the number; an AC that actually dries the air, a dehumidifier where needed and an exhaust fan vented outdoors bring it down. Aim for 30 to 50 percent.

When a company takes over

For larger areas the work moves under Texas mold rules. A mold assessment consultant who holds a TDLR license writes a protocol, and a separate company that holds a TDLR mold remediation contractor license does the cleanup. National ranges (HomeGuide, 2026) put bathroom mold remediation at $500 to $2,000, and Greater Houston prices vary with the extent of damage and access. Check any company on TDLR's license search before work begins.

Renting?

As general information, not legal advice: 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 after written notice, if rent is current. TexasLawHelp has plain-language guides for renters.