Mold Remediation in New Caney, TX

No city hall, so the county decides

New Caney has no city government. It is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, about 30 miles from downtown Houston in a straight line, along US 59 / I-69. It was founded in 1862 as Presswood, took the name New Caney in 1882 and grew along Caney Creek with ranches, mills and stores.

That means building permits come from the Montgomery County Permit Department, part of county Environmental Health at 501 N. Thompson in Conroe, which also lists a separate East Montgomery County phone line. Under the county's FAQ, fully enclosed structures and additions need a Development Permit, and so do substantially damaged structures in the floodplain. If a flood or a long leak left major damage, ask the county before rebuilding.

Creek water and floodplain rules

Montgomery County's floodplain rules identify special flood hazard areas, some of them floodways, which the county treats as extremely hazardous because of how fast the water moves. The rules aim in part to make sure buyers learn when a property sits in a flood hazard area. When heavy rain upstream flooded the Lake Houston area, New Caney residents were pointed to the Montgomery County Disaster Recovery hotline for help.

EPA's flood guidance is blunt: if a home was flooded and could not be dried within 24 to 48 hours, assume mold is growing. Wet drywall and insulation usually have to come out. Children should stay out of the cleanup, and adults should wear at least an N-95 respirator.

When there's no flood at all

Plenty of New Caney mold has nothing to do with the creek. Long, humid summers keep the AC running, attic air handlers can overflow their drain pans, and ducts sweat. Bathrooms, laundry rooms and the wall behind a refrigerator are frequent trouble spots.

Renters and health

Montgomery County Environmental Health takes nuisance complaints about dilapidated structures and conditions that harbor vermin, but mold and rental conditions are not on its list. For an unrepaired leak, Texas Property Code 92.052 requires a landlord to make a diligent effort to repair conditions that materially affect health or safety after the tenant gives notice. TexasLawHelp walks through the steps; this is general information, not legal advice. The Montgomery County Public Health District does not list mold among the complaints it takes; after Harvey, it pointed residents to mold removal tips on its Facebook page.

Texas mold rules in brief

A TDLR mold assessment consultant writes the protocol, a separate remediation company does the work, and the consultant confirms clearance. The owner then gets a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation. When you call, you will be connected with an independent local company.