Mold Testing in Franklin, TN

What happens when you call

You'll be connected with an independent local company that works in Franklin and the rest of Williamson County. Describe the smell, stain or water event, and what you want the test to settle. Expect the tester to take moisture readings before sampling and to explain why each sample is being taken. A standard visit pairs indoor samples from the rooms in question with one outdoor sample. When the lab report arrives, ask for a plain summary and a recommended next step.

Cost factors

Angi reports a national range of about $250 to $500 for a mold test, with more for additional samples. Prices in Franklin vary. The total depends mostly on:

• The number of indoor samples and whether an outdoor control is included (it should be).
• Wall-cavity sampling behind finished drywall.
• Large homes with several floors or a finished basement.
• Lab turnaround time.

Local conditions in Franklin

The city calls the Harpeth River and its tributaries its biggest flood risk, and Franklin sits in the Harpeth watershed where heavy rain upstream raises the river. The Harpeth at Franklin reaches flood stage at 30 feet on the gauge near Pinkerton Park. On May 1 and 2, 2010, about 16.1 inches of rain fell, the river crested above its 1948 record, and floodwater reached downtown and subdivisions on all sides of town; the Franklin Fire Department says hundreds of residents were displaced. Building and Neighborhood Services handles floodplain management, offers flood zone determinations at no charge and keeps elevation certificates for many properties, which helps if you're weighing whether an older flood still matters for a house you own or plan to buy. Rebuilding permits come from the same office, which also enforces property maintenance codes for tenants with unrepaired leaks.

Before the tester arrives

• Keep the house closed up for several hours.
• Don't clean or paint over suspect areas.
• Turn off air purifiers and avoid vacuuming that day.
• Clear access to the basement, crawl space and attic.
• List any leaks, floods or repairs with dates.
• Have the flood zone determination or elevation certificate handy if you have one.

If results lead to a remediation job of $25,000 or more, the company needs a Tennessee contractor's license before it can bid; look for the mold remediation (S-F) classification on TDCI's Verify a License search.