Most mold in Porter homes grows where water has been sitting: a roof leak after a storm, a sweating duct, an AC drain that overflowed or rising water during a big rain. Fix the source first and get damaged material out under a written plan. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Porter.
Mold services in Porter
About Porter
Porter is an unincorporated community in southeast Montgomery County with no official boundaries; it is loosely defined by ZIP code 77365. It sits about 24 miles from downtown Houston in a straight line, near I-69 / US 59, the Grand Parkway (SH 99) and FM 1314. The community grew from ranching and sawmill settlements after the railroad arrived around 1880.
Harvey's lesson
Hurricane Harvey dropped about 36 inches of rain on Montgomery County. The sheriff reported Peach Creek out of its banks, and a Porter resident died when a tree fell on her home during the storm. Storms here bring two kinds of moisture problems: water that rises from the ground, and water that comes through a damaged roof. Both can end in mold if materials are not dried within 24 to 48 hours, which is EPA's window.
Between storms, the climate does the work. Air conditioning runs most of the year, and equipment in a hot attic produces a steady stream of condensate. A blocked line or a rusted pan can leak into the ceiling below. Ducts and supply vents can sweat in humid weather. EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent.
Who to call at the county
| Need | Office |
|---|---|
| Building or Development Permit | Montgomery County Permit Department (Environmental Health), 501 N. Thompson, Conroe; East Montgomery County phone line |
| Floodplain questions | Same Permit Department; substantially damaged structures in the floodplain need a Development Permit |
| Nuisance complaints | Montgomery County Environmental Health Services (dilapidated structures, vermin; mold not listed) |
| Public health | Montgomery County Public Health District (mold not among listed complaints) |
For renters, the county offices do not handle mold. 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. TexasLawHelp explains how to send that notice. This is general information, not legal advice.
How the job is handled in Texas
Texas regulates mold work through TDLR, and the rules are the same in an unincorporated community as in a city. A mold assessment consultant inspects and writes a protocol; a separate company that holds a TDLR mold remediation contractor license does the removal; then the consultant returns for clearance. You receive a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation, which can help with insurance underwriting. When you call, you will be connected with an independent local company and can ask how they coordinate with the consultant.
Common questions in Porter
Is Porter part of any city?
Where do Porter residents get building permits?
My attic AC drips. Could that cause mold?
Can one company inspect and remove mold in my Porter home?
Nearby cities and towns
Sources
- Wikipedia: Porter, Texas
- Community Impact: Montgomery County rescues and shelters during Harvey
- Montgomery County Permit Department: FAQ
- Montgomery County: Floodplain
- Montgomery County Public Health District: Report Public Health Complaints (pdf)
- EPA: Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters (pdf)
- EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- TDLR: Mold Assessors and Remediators FAQs
- 16 Tex. Admin. Code 78.150: Photographs; Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation; Duty of Property Owner
- Tex. Prop. Code 92.052: Landlord's Duty to Repair or Remedy
- TexasLawHelp: Mold and Renter's Rights in Texas
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