Post-Remediation Clearance Testing in Columbia, TN

Columbia and the Duck River

Columbia, the Maury County seat about 41 miles south of Nashville, grew up along the Duck River, the longest river entirely within Tennessee. In May 2010 the Duck at Columbia reached 44.91 feet, its 7th 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. About 37 percent of occupied homes in the city are rented.

River flooding tends to produce big remediation jobs: soaked drywall and insulation cut out, flooring pulled, framing cleaned and dried over days or weeks. The more material that comes out, the more places something can be missed, which is why a clearance visit is especially worth it on flood work.

Closing the job out properly

1. Fix the cause first. After river flooding that may mean drainage or grading work; elsewhere it's often a plumbing or roof leak.
2. Allow full drying. The Tennessee Department of Health warns mold can begin growing within 48 hours of flooding, so damp framing can't simply be closed in.
3. Keep the containment up and book an independent inspector.
4. Have the inspector compare the finished work with the written scope.
5. Start rebuilding only once the area passes in writing.

Typical clearance findings

Cost and paperwork

Angi reports national ranges of about $303 to $1,075 for a mold inspection and $250 to $500 for a mold test; Columbia quotes will vary. Price follows the size of the job, the number of samples, lab turnaround and any re-check. Maury County isn't on the state's Home Improvement license list, but projects of $25,000 or more anywhere in Tennessee need a contractor's license, with the S-F classification for mold remediation. Columbia participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, and Development Services at 700 North Garden Street (931-560-1500) handles both flood zone questions and building permits for rebuilding. Keep the clearance report with your permit records.