Mold Remediation in Fairview, TN

Know your flood exposure

Fairview is a city in Williamson County, roughly 23 miles southwest of downtown Nashville. In the May 2010 flood, about 16.9 inches of rain fell here over two days, the highest total among the Williamson County towns in a local newspaper's look back at the storm.

Williamson County's emergency management office names the Harpeth River and its creeks as the main local flood sources and warns that flash floods can come with little warning. Two more points from the county are worth knowing: standard homeowner's policies don't cover flooding, with coverage available through the National Flood Insurance Program, and most streams and creeks are the property owner's responsibility. You can check your lot on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Steps if water got in

1. Get standing water out and start drying right away. EPA says that if a flooded home couldn't be dried within 24 to 48 hours, assume mold is growing.
2. Don't run the heating or cooling system if you suspect it took on water or mold; EPA warns it can spread spores through the house.
3. Pull wet carpet, pad and soft furnishings that can't be dried; EPA notes porous materials often have to go.
4. Photograph everything before it leaves the house, for any insurance claim.

Everyday moisture

Outside of storms, the usual culprits are condensation on ducts and framing in crawl spaces, bathroom humidity, and roof or plumbing leaks. Keep indoor humidity under 60 percent, and keep AC drain lines clear. Mold covering more than about 10 square feet is beyond what EPA suggests a homeowner take on alone.

Local offices

The City of Fairview Planning & Codes Department on Bowie Lake Road issues building permits and inspects construction. Mold removal is not a permit item, but rebuilding walls or structural repairs afterward can be. That department also enforces the city's health and safety code ordinances, so a renter with an unrepaired leak can use the city's Report Concern form or call the department.

The Williamson County Health Department has a Fairview office on Fairview Boulevard. The Tennessee Department of Health's flood guidance notes that mold can begin growing within 48 hours of flooding. EPA says people with asthma or weakened immune systems should avoid moldy areas; take health concerns to a health professional.

Calling for help

The number connects you with an independent local company. Jobs of $25,000 or more require a contractor with the Tennessee contractor's license and the mold remediation (S-F) classification, which you can confirm on TDCI's Verify a License search. Angi reports national mold remediation costs typically between $1,223 and $3,758; Middle Tennessee prices vary with the size of the area, what has to be removed and how hard it is to reach.