If you see or smell mold in your College Station home, don’t scrape or sand it, and deal with the moisture source. Call (855) 727-0147 and we’ll connect you with an independent company that serves College Station. For larger mold jobs, Texas law requires licensed professionals.
What to do in the first 24 hours in College Station
- Don’t disturb it. Scraping, sanding or dry brushing releases spores into the air.
- Find and stop the moisture. Fix the leak, dry the area and run dehumidifiers if you can.
- Turn off the heating and cooling system if you suspect mold in it. The EPA warns it can spread mold through the building (EPA).
- Measure roughly. Texas lets unlicensed people handle visible mold under 25 contiguous square feet. Larger areas generally need a licensed assessor and remediator (TDLR).
- Photograph the mold, the moisture source and any damaged belongings.
- Call your insurer if mold follows a recent leak or flood, and ask what your policy covers.
- If you rent, tell your landlord in writing and keep a copy.
Local numbers to keep handy in College Station
| Who | Why you might call | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Fire, injury or gas leak | 911 |
| College Station Fire Department (non-emergency) | Re-entry questions, fire report | 979-764-3700 |
| College Station Utilities | Power outage or reconnection questions | 855-528-4278 |
| Atmos Energy (gas emergencies) | Gas smell, gas service after damage | 866-322-8667 |
| College Station Planning & Development Services | Permits and inspections for repairs | 979-764-3570 |
| American Red Cross | Emergency help after a home fire | 1-800-733-2767 |
| Texas Department of Insurance | Help with an insurance claim | 800-252-3439 |
What mold remediation involves
Licensed mold work in Texas follows a set order. The assessor and the remediator must be different licensees on the same project (TDLR).
| Stage | What happens | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment | A licensed mold assessor inspects, may test, and writes a remediation protocol. | Before remediation |
| Moisture repair | The leak or humidity source is fixed and the area dried. | Before or alongside cleanup |
| Containment | The work area is sealed and put under negative air. | Start of remediation |
| Removal and cleaning | Moldy porous materials are removed; hard surfaces cleaned. | Days, by size |
| Clearance | The area is inspected against the protocol. | After cleanup |
| Certificate | The owner receives a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation. | After passing |
| Rebuild | Drywall, insulation and finishes are replaced. | After the certificate |
The industry standard is the ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation. Check any Texas mold license on TDLR’s license search.
What it typically costs
Mold remediation costs depend mainly on:
- The size of the affected area and where it is, such as an attic, crawlspace or wall cavity.
- Assessment and testing by a separate licensed assessor.
- Containment and air filtration.
- How much drywall, insulation or flooring must be removed.
- Fixing the moisture source.
- Rebuild work after clearance.
How does insurance work for mold remediation in Texas?
Your adjuster decides what your policy covers. The restoration company documents the damage and writes the estimate the adjuster reviews. It can’t negotiate your claim for you.
- Timelines: insurers have 15 business days to acknowledge a claim, then 15 business days to accept or deny it after receiving what they need. They can take 45 more days if they explain why (TDI).
- What to photograph: every affected room, the source of the damage and damaged belongings, before cleanup.
- What the restorer documents: photos, moisture readings or residue notes, a written scope and an itemized estimate.
- Deductible: you pay it. Texas law bars contractors from offering to waive, rebate or absorb it. A contractor also can’t act as your public adjuster (TDI: know the law).
- Living expenses: if covered damage makes the home unlivable, additional living expenses coverage may pay for a hotel and meals (TDI).
- Mold certificate: keep your Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation. TDLR notes insurers generally can’t make adverse underwriting decisions based on prior mold damage when the rules are met.
Problems with a claim? Call the Texas Department of Insurance help line at 800-252-3439 or file a complaint.
What’s specific to College Station?
- Most homes are rentals. Only 35.4% of College Station’s occupied homes are owner-occupied (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 estimate), so landlords and tenants often deal with the same damage. Single-family and small multiplex rentals must be registered with the city (City of College Station).
- Renters and mold. TDLR doesn’t inspect homes for mold or order landlords to clean it up. It also notes that rental buildings with fewer than 10 units, including houses, fall under different exemptions (TDLR FAQ).
- Creek flooding. The city has mapped floodplains along these creeks: 13 creeks, including Wolf Pen, Bee, Carters and Burton (City of College Station). Mold after flooding is usually part of a flood claim.
- Permits for rebuild after mold removal. College Station lists additions and remodels, roofing, foundation work and water heaters among residential work that needs a permit. Repairing gas piping needs a plumbing permit. Call College Station Planning & Development Services at 979-764-3570.
How getting help works
When you call or send the form, we connect you with an independent restoration company that serves your area. They inspect, document the damage and give you a written scope — you decide whether to hire them.
Questions to ask the company that comes out
- Which IICRC certifications does the lead technician hold (for example WRT, FSRT, OCT or AMRT)?
- Do you carry general liability and workers’ comp insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- Will I get a written scope of work before anything starts?
- Who will talk with my insurance adjuster, and what will you send them?
- If mold is involved: what is your TDLR mold remediation license number, and who did the independent mold assessment?
Frequently asked questions
For visible mold covering 25 contiguous square feet or more, Texas generally requires licensed professionals. Smaller areas can be cleaned by unlicensed people.
Not on the same project. TDLR rules don’t allow one licensee to do both the assessment and the remediation.
Use TDLR’s online license search, or call TDLR at (800) 803-9202.
No. TDLR notes painting or bleaching over mold isn’t an effective fix. Porous materials like drywall and carpet usually need removing.
A certificate the licensed remediator gives the owner after the work passes inspection. Keep it with your property records.
Related help nearby
- Fire, smoke and water damage help in College Station
- Fire Damage Restoration in College Station
- Smoke Damage Restoration in College Station
- Water Damage Restoration in College Station
- Flood Damage Cleanup in College Station
- Mold Remediation in Bryan
- Mold Remediation: the full guide
Get connected with a local restoration company
Free. No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call (855) 727-0147.