Licensed Mold Assessment Consultant - MAC License #1605

Indoor air contamination is an emotionally charged issue. Mold spores can cause allergic reactions, especially to people with asthma, allergies or a compromised immune system. A causal link between more serious health effects and mold exposure is a topic of debate and on-going research within the scientific community.

While not all mold in Texas produces Mycotoxins—poisonous metabolites capable of causing death and disease—a variety of molds can biodegrade organic materials like wood and water-soluble minerals (including gypsum, used in drywall/sheetrock), leading to property damage. Left unchecked, mold can quickly form into unsightly large colonies wherever moisture or humidity exist.

The main thing is don't wait!. Call me as soon as possible. 281-702-0542

Mold assessment — I always begin with a visual inspection of the property to identify visible mold and water damage. A moisture meter or thermal imaging camera is used to identify building materials containing excessive moisture. Based upon the results of the initial investigation, additional investigation, repair of the moisture source and/or remediation of water damaged or mold-contaminated building materials may be recommended.

Mold requires a moisture source to proliferate in an indoor environment. Whether the moisture source is a roof leak, plumbing leak, problems with the exterior building envelope or problems associated with the mechanical system (i.e. air conditioning drain pan leak or excessive humidity), a critical step in the mold identification and remediation process is to identify and remove the source of the moisture before replacement or cleaning of water-damaged or mold-contaminated materials. I work with professionals from many trades to accomplish this critical task.

Offering comprehensive mold inspections and mold identification services. I perform visual inspections, take moisture readings and collect samples for laboratory analysis by a Texas licensed laboratory.

If I identify a mold growth condition, I will give you the comfort, that I will recommend the most practical and cost-effective mold remediation solutions.

I provide rapid results for my clients and can provide 24-hour laboratory results when requested. Detailed reporting and clear, concise, professionally written mold remediation protocols sets me apart from other mold assessment and consulting firms.

Mold Inspection and Assessment
Commercial & Residential Properties
Certified Mold Inspection & Testing
Thermal Imaging
24-Hour Test Results Upon Request

What is mold?

Mold is a fungus, and like all fungi, it thrives in moist places. Mold spreads by emitting spores, microscopic particles often as small as a single cell. Spores float around in the air until they land on a surface. Mold spores are everywhere, outdoors as well as inside your house. It would be practically impossible to remove all mold spores from a house without installing some kind of massive industrial clean room filtration system.

Luckily, mold spores only form mold when they land on a moist surface. That means that if you can keep the interior of your home dry and keep the "Relative Humidity" level below 60% you will avoid having any problems with mold. The best way to prevent mold in your home is to clean up spills, repair leaks in your roof, plumbing or HVAC system and make sure your kitchen and bathroom are properly venting moisture out of the house.

There are two major reasons to clean up and remove any mold growing in your house: mold damages the surface it is growing on and mold may aggravate allergies or asthma.

When to inspect for mold

One good thing about mold— if you have a mold problem, you can see it. A visual inspection is all that it takes to find mold in your house. A few situations should make you look for any mold problems in your house.

Water damage. If your house or building flooded, roof leaked, or a broken pipe sprayed water all over the kitchen or inside of a wall, you need to inspect for mold. Any place that got wet and was not quickly dried (within 24 to 48 hours) could become contaminated by mold.
Purchasing a new home. There is no way to know what kind of water damage may have happened in the house you are planning to buy. The only way to find out if mold is present is to do a mold inspection.
After a house has been unoccupied. If a house has been closed up and unoccupied for months or years, humidity could have built up inside and caused mold to grow. This is especially a problem in warmer areas with high humidity.
After mold remediation. If you have gone through the often expensive and difficult steps to deal with a mold problem, regular mold inspections are a good idea to make sure you really got rid of it all.
You see some mold. If you notice some green, blue, black or white stuff growing in your house, do a mold inspection to make sure you find it all. It might not be restricted to one location.

Preventing mold

Getting rid of mold in your house can be a major task, and remediation can be expensive if the mold is widespread. The best solution to mold problems is to prevent them from ever happening. Here are some tips on preventing mold:

Repair leaks promptly. Whether it is a leak in your roof or a damaged water pipe, fix leaks and keep moisture out of your house.
Clean and dry things promptly. If your home of building floods or condensation from your air-conditioner drips onto a carpet, drywall, wood flooring, dry everything out within 24 to 48 hours. Mold needs moisture to grow, so prompt drying is vital.
Control humidity. Extremely humid air can provide enough moisture for mold to form on some surfaces. Use a dehumidifier and run air-conditioning when possible during the summer. Install vents in your kitchen and bathroom. This will keep humidity down and keep moisture under control.

Mold is a serious problem, and spotting mold contamination before it grows out of control can save you thousands of dollars. This makes the cost of a mold inspection well worth a few hundred dollars when you are buying a new house. The important thing is, if you see mold in your house, you need to get rid of it as soon as possible.

If you have additional questions, call me. 281-702-0542.