If you see or smell mold in your Caldwell 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 Caldwell. For larger mold jobs, Texas law requires licensed professionals.
What to do in the first 24 hours in Caldwell
- 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. The City of Caldwell runs water and wastewater: (979) 567-3271, or 979-567-4343 after hours.
- 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 Caldwell
| Who | Why you might call | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Fire, injury or gas leak | 911 |
| Caldwell Fire & Rescue | Re-entry questions, fire report | 979-567-3271, ext. 600 |
| City of Caldwell utilities | Electric, water and wastewater | (979) 567-3271; after hours 979-567-4343 |
| Atmos Energy | Gas leaks | 866-322-8667 |
| City of Caldwell permits | Permits for repairs | permits@caldwelltx.gov |
| Burleson County | Floodplain and septic permits outside city limits | (979) 567-2333 |
| Burleson County Emergency Management | County emergency coordination | (979) 567-2001 |
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
- 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 Caldwell?
- The city runs electric, water and wastewater. The City of Caldwell provides electric, water, wastewater and solid waste services inside city limits. Call (979) 567-3271, or 979-567-4343 after hours (City of Caldwell).
- Septic repairs need a permit. Burleson County requires a permit for every septic system, including repaired systems. That matters if a flood damaged one (Burleson County).
- Permits before work starts. Caldwell requires building permits before construction begins, and inspections are scheduled through the city’s Cloud Permit system (City of Caldwell).
- No county building codes outside the city. Burleson County says it has no authority to create or enforce building codes in unincorporated areas, so rural repairs don’t need a county building permit. Floodplain rules still apply.
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 Caldwell
- Fire Damage Restoration in Caldwell
- Smoke Damage Restoration in Caldwell
- Water Damage Restoration in Caldwell
- Flood Damage Cleanup in Caldwell
- Mold Remediation: the full guide
- Mold after fire or water damage in Texas
Get connected with a local restoration company
Free. No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call (855) 727-0147.