Key facts: Texas mold rule
- TDLR says notice is required once mold reaches 25 or more contiguous square feet of surface.[1]
- TDLR says the rules still bind a licensed firm on a job below 25 contiguous square feet, though it need not file notice.[1]
- The EPA says most people can handle a moldy area under about 10 square feet, with larger areas calling for professional guidance.[2]
Answer first
The 25 square foot line in short
The number comes from Texas mold rules, and a TDLR bulletin for licensees explains how it works. Notice goes to the agency when contamination affects 25 contiguous square feet or more. Below that, the minimum-area exemption helps only people who are not licensed to do mold remediation. A licensed firm still follows the rules on a small job, including a workplan, but does not file the notice.[1]
So the line does not mean small jobs have no rules, and it is not a suggestion that a large do-it-yourself job is sensible. The EPA's practical guide uses a lower figure of about 10 square feet.[2]
Comparison
Numbers people mix up
| Number | Who says it | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| 25 contiguous sq ft | TDLR | The line for notice to the state |
| About 10 sq ft | U.S. EPA | Practical guidance for a homeowner's own cleanup |
| 24 to 48 hours | U.S. EPA | Target for drying water damage to prevent mold |
Counting
How the area adds up faster than you expect
TDLR counts all surface material that must be cleaned or removed. Wiping, HEPA vacuuming, demolition and applying a biocide all count, and when a biocide is applied, the whole area goes into the total.[1] A patch that looks small can therefore become a larger project once the plan is written.
Contiguous means connected. Several small patches in different rooms aren't necessarily one area, but a patch that continues behind a baseboard or into a wall cavity may be bigger than it looks. If there's a musty smell and a wet wall but little to see, you can't assume the problem is small. TDLR itself suggests notifying when in doubt and asking the agency.
Limits
What we could not confirm for single-family homes
The bulletin we read is written for licensees and does not discuss residential exemptions or the certificate issued after remediation. TDLR's own website would not open for us when we checked, so this page does not state whether a licence is required for your particular house. Before relying on anything here for a sale or a dispute, email mold.inspections@tdlr.texas.gov, which the bulletin gives as the program contact.
Questions
Questions to ask a mold company in Texas
- What TDLR licence do you hold, and may I see it?
- Who wrote the protocol? TDLR says a workplan must follow one from a licensed assessment consultant.
- How large is the area once everything to be cleaned is counted?
- Will a notice go to TDLR?
- What paperwork will I get when the job is finished?
- What caused the moisture, and who is fixing that?
Moisture first
Fix the moisture or the mold returns
The EPA is direct about this: clean up mold without fixing the water problem and it will most likely come back.[2] In a Cedar Hill house, common sources include slab leaks, condensate overflows, plumbing inside walls and storm water. Stop the source first, whichever it is, and dry the materials. Keeping humidity below 60 percent also helps.
Hard surfaces can be scrubbed with detergent and water and dried completely, according to the EPA's cleanup page.[3] Soft, porous items are harder, and a soaked one is often thrown out. If you are not sure, get an opinion before you start pulling things apart.
Small cleanups
If you plan to clean a small area yourself
- 1
Fix the water
Otherwise the mold will be back.
- 2
Protect yourself
EPA's flood cleanup guidance names goggles, gloves and at least an N-95 respirator.[4]
- 3
Scrub hard surfaces
Use detergent and water, and then dry them completely.
- 4
Bag what you cannot clean
Keep it from shedding through the house on the way out.
- 5
Do not paint over it
The EPA says to clean and dry surfaces before painting, as paint over mold is likely to peel.[2]
- 6
Know when to stop
Stop if the area is larger than expected or anyone has health symptoms.
Coverage
Mold and insurance
A sample standard policy form generally excludes mold, with a limited exception for mold hidden in walls or ceilings after an accidental discharge.[5] Your Texas policy may differ, so read it for a mold limit. Our insurance guide has the fuller picture.
Slab homes
Where the moisture usually hides in slab homes
Slab homes tend to grow mold low on the wall, behind baseboards and under carpet tack strip. Pull a short section of baseboard if you suspect something, and photograph what you find before you clean it or call anyone.
Questions
Common questions about Texas mold rules
Can I remove mold myself in Texas?
A small area, quite possibly. TDLR describes a minimum-area exemption for people who are not licensed, and the EPA suggests professional guidance above about 10 square feet. A legal line isn't a sensible limit, so ask TDLR about anything larger.
Does a small mold job need a notice to TDLR?
TDLR says a licensed firm under 25 contiguous square feet does not have to file notice, though it still follows the other rules, including a workplan. At 25 contiguous square feet or more, notice is required.
Does Texas require a certificate after mold remediation?
We could not confirm the current requirement from the sources we were able to read. Ask your remediator what documents you will get, and ask TDLR directly if the paperwork matters, for example because you are selling.
Does spraying a biocide count toward the 25 square feet?
Yes. TDLR says that when a biocide or antimicrobial compound is applied, the whole area is included in the total, along with wiping, HEPA vacuuming and demolition.
How fast can mold grow after a leak?
Fast enough that the EPA recommends drying within 24 to 48 hours, and its flood page says materials wet for over two days usually become moldy. Start drying immediately, even if you see nothing yet.
