Assessment & Testing

You should consider a mold inspection if: you smell something musty but can't locate the source; you or family members have persistent allergy-like symptoms that improve when away from home; you've had any water intrusion (roof leak, plumbing leak, flooding) that wasn't dried within 48 hours; you're buying or selling a home; or a previous remediation was done and you want to confirm it was successful.

Based on: EPA Brief Guide to Mold Moisture and Home

No — and in many cases it's unnecessary. The EPA and CDC both state that if you can see mold, testing is not needed before remediation. You already know mold is present; the priority is removing it and fixing the moisture source. Testing becomes valuable in specific situations: when you suspect hidden mold but can't find it; to verify that remediation was successful (clearance testing); when occupants have health complaints with no visible source; or in real estate transactions where documentation is needed. Routine DIY test kits sold at hardware stores are not reliable — results are difficult to interpret without professional context.

Based on: EPA Brief Guide to Mold Moisture and Home

A professional mold inspection by a licensed MAC in Texas involves several steps. The inspection typically begins with a thorough visual examination of the property — including areas prone to moisture problems such as bathrooms, kitchens, HVAC systems, attic spaces, crawl spaces, and any areas with prior water intrusion history. The inspector will use moisture meters to detect elevated moisture levels in building materials, and may use thermal imaging to identify hidden moisture pockets behind walls or under flooring. If visible or suspected mold is found, the inspector will determine whether sampling is appropriate. Sampling may include air sampling, surface sampling (tape lifts or swabs), or bulk sampling. After the inspection, the MAC prepares a written assessment report documenting findings, affected areas, and — if remediation is needed — a remediation protocol.

Based on: 16 TAC Chapter 78 (TMARR)

Assessment and remediation are two distinct and legally separate functions in Texas. A mold assessment is the inspection and evaluation phase — a licensed MAC inspects your home, identifies mold conditions, collects samples, and writes a remediation protocol if contamination is found. Mold remediation is the cleanup phase — a licensed MRC follows that protocol, through its own work plan, and does the physical removal work. The critical distinction: under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1958 and TMARR, the same company is prohibited from performing both assessment and remediation on the same job. This law exists to prevent a remediator from inflating the scope of work or declaring their own work complete without independent verification.

Based on: IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation (3rd Ed.)

Hidden mold is one of the trickiest parts of any assessment. The IICRC S520 Standard identifies several tools for locating concealed contamination. Moisture meters detect elevated moisture in walls and ceilings even when the surface looks dry. Thermal infrared cameras detect surface temperature differences that indicate moisture evaporation behind walls. Borescopes allow a tiny hole to be drilled so the inspector can visually look inside wall cavities without major demolition. Air sampling can also reveal hidden mold — if a room has elevated airborne spore counts for species typically associated with water damage (like Stachybotrys or Chaetomium), that's a signal there is a hidden Condition 3 source somewhere in that space. In Texas, the humidity and frequent flooding events mean hidden mold behind walls is common.

Based on: IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation (3rd Ed.)