In Columbia, HVAC and duct mold often traces back to water, whether from a Duck River flood, a damp crawl space or an air handler with a clogged drain. Turn the system off if you suspect it's contaminated and get the source found first. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Columbia.
Columbia, the Maury County seat about 41 miles south of Nashville, grew up along the Duck River. In May 2010 the river at Columbia reached 44.91 feet, its seventh-highest level on record. In February 2019 it crested at 42 feet, the highest since 1991; police and firefighters went door to door urging Riverside residents from 3rd Avenue south to Riverside Drive to leave, and some buildings near the river took on water.
What to do now
- Keep the HVAC off if you suspect it's contaminated. EPA says running it could spread mold through the building.
- If the house flooded, assume ducts under the floor are affected if they weren't dried within 24 to 48 hours.
- Look at the drain pan and condensate line, and note any standing water.
- Take photos of registers, the return and any stained duct wrap you can safely see.
- If you rent, notify the landlord in writing. Columbia's Development Services Codes Enforcement handles property maintenance complaints when a leak isn't fixed.
- Get an inspection of the equipment, duct runs and the crawl space or attic around them.
Signs and what they often mean
| What you see | Often means |
|---|---|
| Mud or water marks on ductwork under the house | River or storm water reached the crawl space |
| Musty air during cooling only | A wet coil or a pan that isn't draining |
| Sweating ducts and damp insulation | Humid crawl space air on cold supply ducts |
| Spots on the ceiling around a vent | Condensation at a leaky attic duct boot |
Cost factors
Angi reports national ranges of about $600 to $2,000 to clean mold from air ducts and $3,000 to $10,000 for mold work on a whole HVAC system; prices in Middle Tennessee vary. Flood-soaked insulated duct and flex duct are generally replaced rather than cleaned, per EPA, and that drives the total more than anything. Maury County isn't on the state's Home Improvement license list, but projects of $25,000 or more need a Tennessee contractor's license, with mold remediation classed S-F. Replacement work that needs a permit goes through the City of Columbia's Development Services Building Inspections office, which also administers the city's floodplain rules and FEMA map panels. The Maury County Health Department can help with health questions.
HVAC & Air Duct Mold Removal questions in Columbia
My ductwork sat in floodwater. Can it be saved?
Should I call an HVAC company or a mold remediation company first?
Can I keep running the AC if I think the ducts have mold?
Should the inspector be a different company from the one doing the removal?
More mold services in Columbia
HVAC & Air Duct Mold Removal nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
- Columbia, Tennessee (Wikipedia)
- NewsChannel 5: Duck River expected to crest at highest since 1991
- National Weather Service Nashville: May 2010 flood, 10th anniversary
- City of Columbia: Floodplain Management
- City of Columbia: Building Codes
- City of Columbia: Codes Enforcement
- EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home
- EPA: Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters (pdf)
- Angi: How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost? (2026 data)
- Tennessee Contractor Classification Outline (TDCI)
- TDCI: Bidding FAQs
- Tennessee Department of Health: Local Health Departments
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