Black Mold Removal in Cottontown, TN

Signs to look for

• Black or charcoal-colored spotting on drywall near a window, tub or exterior door.
• Dark mottling on the back of base cabinets or under the kitchen sink.
• Floors near a bathroom that feel spongy or smell earthy.
• Black streaks on joists or subfloor when you open the crawl space hatch.
• Stains that come back a few weeks after being wiped off.

Conditions in Cottontown

Cottontown is a small unincorporated community on State Route 25 northwest of Gallatin, about 24 miles from Nashville. Flash flooding hit Cottontown on the morning of May 19, 2017, during a day of high water across Sumner County, though the water had started to recede later that day. Short floods like that still matter: sheetrock, carpet pad and insulation that stay wet beyond 24 to 48 hours give mold its start, per EPA. Sumner County's Flood Insurance Study adds that headwater streams in the county rise quickly in intense rain, with the bigger floods usually in late winter and early spring.

Without a flood, the usual sources are humid summer air in a vented crawl space, a roof leak, or a plumbing drip. These can run for months before dark spots appear on the finished side of a wall.

What affects the cost

Angi's national data puts typical remediation at $1,223 to $3,758, with crawl space work at $500 to $2,000 and mold inside walls anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000. Middle Tennessee prices vary. Square footage, the amount of tear-out, crawl space clearance and whether moisture control is part of the job make the biggest difference. A Tennessee contractor's license with the S-F mold remediation classification is required for jobs of $25,000 or more.

What to expect on the call

You'll be connected with an independent mold remediation company that works in Sumner County. They will ask about the growth, any recent water and the age of the house, then schedule a visit. Expect a written scope. Because Cottontown is unincorporated, any rebuilding that needs a permit goes through the Sumner County Building & Codes Department, and renters with unfixed leaks can file a property maintenance complaint there.