Common Questions
Should I get a mold inspection?
Our recommendation
Yes, if you suspect mold or someone in the home has symptoms you think may be related. Signs include a musty smell, visible growth, a leak or flood that wasn't dried within 24–48 hours, and allergy-like symptoms that ease when you're away from home.
In Texas, hire a licensed Mold Assessment Consultant (MAC): a mold assessment professional licensed by TDLR to inspect, test, write the remediation plan (protocol) and confirm the work passed. A standard home inspection isn't a mold inspection. A home inspector may sample only if they also hold a TDLR mold license, and a technician-level license can't write a remediation protocol or perform clearance. You can check any license on TDLR's website.
The assessor should also be independent of whoever does the cleanup. Texas law doesn't allow the same license holder, or companies that share owners, to assess and remediate the same project.
What the sources say
“an inspection, investigation, or survey of a dwelling or other structure to provide the owner or occupant with information regarding the presence, identification, or evaluation of mold”
“the collection or analysis of a mold sample.”
“mold assessment unless the person holds a mold assessment license”
“A license holder may not perform both mold assessment and mold remediation on the same project.”
“You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and building occupants are reporting health problems.”
“Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals with specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpretation of results.”
“An IEP engaged to perform pre-remediation assessment or post-remediation verification should be unbiased and independent of the remediator.”