Category
Clearance & Certificates
How a job is judged finished, and the Texas certificate that proves it.
Topics
- How you know a cleanup is finished EPA's test for “done” is practical. The water problem is completely fixed. There's no visible mold, no mold-damaged material and no moldy smell. If samples were... Best practice
- Independent verification and the IEP (S520) In the S520, post-remediation verification (PRV) is an inspection and assessment by an independent, third-party IEP after the work, which can include a visual... Best practice
- Post-remediation assessment and clearance in Texas A licensed Mold Assessment Consultant does the post-remediation assessment using visual, procedural and analytical methods. If walk-in containment was used, the... Texas law
- The Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation (CMDR) Within 10 calendar days after a licensed project's stop date, the remediator must give the property owner the before-and-after photographs and a Certificate of Mold... Texas law
- Post-remediation evaluation and independent verification R520 describes two checks at the end of a job. First, the remediator performs a post-remediation evaluation as internal quality control. It includes a visual... Best practice
Questions & answers
What happens if a property fails mold clearance testing in Texas?
If a post-remediation assessment reveals that the mold remediation did not meet the clearance criteria set in the remediation protocol, the property fails clearance. The Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation cannot be issued, and the remediation contractor must go back and address the deficiencies. A failed clearance usually indicates one or more of the following: visible mold or debris was left behind; the affected area was not dried to acceptable moisture levels before reconstruction; containment was breached and cross-contamination occurred; or the scope of remediation was insufficient. The failed clearance report from the independent MAC documents exactly what was found and what must be corrected. For homeowners, a failed clearance is not a disaster. It is the system working as intended — catching inadequate work before you are living in a home that still has a mold problem.
Based on: 16 TAC Chapter 78 (TMARR)
What does it mean to pass clearance testing after mold remediation?
Passing clearance means an independent assessment confirms the remediated area has returned to Condition 1 — normal fungal ecology — and is safe for reconstruction and re-occupancy. The IICRC S520 Standard describes what Condition 1 means in practice: the types and amounts of mold found should be consistent with what is typical for a well-maintained indoor environment in your geographic region, not elevated above outdoor background levels. Some key indicators include: no visible mold growth or dust in the remediated area; no musty odors; airborne spore counts consistent with outdoor or Condition 1 reference levels; and absence of indicator species like Stachybotrys at elevated levels. Keep your clearance report permanently — it becomes part of your home's history and may be required during a real estate transaction.
Based on: IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation (3rd Ed.)