How Much Mold Are You Exposed To?

Mold is a year round factor in Central Texas. Outdoor counts of Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus run high during humid stretches and after rain. Indoor mold tends to follow water. Anywhere humidity stays above 55 to 60 percent for long stretches, or anywhere a leak goes unaddressed, mold finds the surface and starts to colonize. Allergic patients can pick up symptoms from levels far below what is visible on a wall.

Why home age and history matter

Older homes tend to have more hidden moisture history. Roof leaks repaired by a previous owner, slow drips inside walls, and undersized AC systems that never quite dry the air all leave a long-term mold footprint. New construction has its own issue, where freshly disturbed soil and saturated framing during the build can produce mold that persists for the first year or two.

The Texas humidity pattern

Central Texas summers run hot but not always humid. Late spring (April through June) and early fall (September) are the wet stretches. Indoor humidity above 60 percent for more than a few days starts the clock for mold growth on dust, drywall paper, and any organic material in your AC system. A simple hygrometer in the most-used room of the house tells you more than any other single tool. Aim for 40 to 55 percent.

When testing makes sense

If your symptoms get worse in specific rooms, after rain, or in damp environments, mold allergy testing gives a definitive answer. We test for Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium routinely. Treatment can include environmental measures, medications, and immunotherapy when avoidance alone is not practical (which is most of the time, since mold spores are everywhere).

When to call a professional

Visible mold larger than a few square feet, ongoing musty smell, or recurring leaks are remediation territory, not DIY territory. Disturbing large mold colonies releases spores into the air at concentrations that can flatten an allergic patient. Get the moisture source fixed and the mold professionally removed before assuming it will not come back.