CULLEY ENVIRO LLC Texas Department of State Health Services awards  Mold Remediation Contractor License     Culley Enviro LLC has received its 2 year renewable Mold Remediation Contractor’s License (MRC#1242) from the state of Texas.  The license allows our Company to do any size or type of mold remediation project. The Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation Rules (TMARR) prohibit unlicensed mold remediation contractors from working on any mold clean up (remediation) where the total contiguous square feet of mold-damaged material is equal to or greater than 25.   What does "contiguous square feet" mean? Contiguous means "adjacent to" or "touching".  However, there are several interpretations of what this means. The state pretty much leaves it up to the Mold Assessment Consultants ("MAC") to determine the total amount of mold-damaged material. This means that you might have one MAC saying a project is under 25 and another over 25.  It is important to understand how a MAC determined the amount of contiguous square feet.  Ask him, or her to be specific about how he is measuring the mold-damaged material.    Why do I need a licensed Mold Contractor? The state recommends using licensed individuals for the protection of the consumer.  In 2005, there were many unscrupulous individuals performing mold remediation services.  And it got so bad that the insurance companies in the state refused to sell policies covering mold.  Today you can only buy mold coverage if you add it as a special rider to your policy.  The Texas Mold Assessment &  Remediation Rules stipulate that a licensed person or company must be used if the amount of damage exceeds 25 contiguous square feet. A licensed mold remediation contractor is required by the state to carry adequate insurance, perform the mold remediation in a specific way that is the "right way" to do the job, AND not charge exorbitant amounts of money for the work. One call to the state will prompt an investigation of that remediation company. Even if they are not licensed, the state can still fine them for performing mold remediation without a license.  Can’t I just use bleach to kill mold? No.  A myth exists concerning the use and “effectiveness” of chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in the remediation of a mold problem. Mold remediation involves the removal of all mold and mold damaged materials if that material is porous.  Drywall, for example is porous and should be removed and discarded during the remediation efforts. Non-porous materials like steel and concrete can be cleaned with a strong detergent.  Bleach may ruin electrical wiring, or other materials if it is sprayed or wiped on mold damaged materials.   Opposing Views and Confusion. Chlorine bleach, commonly referred to as laundry bleach, is generally perceived to be an “accepted and answer-all” biocide to abate mold in the remediation processes. Well-intentioned recommendations of health departments and other state and local agencies are perpetuating that belief. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) who once recommended using chlorine bleach for mold abatement was the first federal agency to stop recommending the use of liquid bleach in mold remediation. Subsequently, The Environmental Protection Agency  wrote-out/edited their A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home (EPA 402-k-02-003) to exclude their once recommended use of  bleach as a mold clean-up agent.