Mold Inspection in Kingston Springs, TN

Living with the Harpeth

Kingston Springs began as a mineral-springs resort, with a hotel dating to 1819, and grew into a residential town after sewer service arrived in 1989. The Harpeth River and its wooded floodplain run along Burns Park and Harpeth River State Park. In May 2010 the Harpeth at Kingston Springs set a record crest well above the 1946 mark and carried off the river gauge, which had records back to the early 1920s. Floodwater flattened much of the floodplain woods along Burns Park, and volunteers cleared debris from three destroyed houses. Homes that took water then, or that sit low near the river, deserve a closer look than most.

Inspection or testing?

Signs it's time

• A smell like damp cardboard that's stronger with the house closed up.
• Stains or soft spots low on walls in rooms nearest the river side of the lot.
• Condensation on windows or ductwork through the summer.
• Growth that comes back within weeks after you clean it.
• A crawl space with standing water, wet insulation or a white fuzz on joists.

When to schedule

Late spring and summer show humidity problems at their worst, which makes them a good time to see whether a crawl space or attic is staying damp. After heavy rain or a rise on the Harpeth, wait until surfaces have been dried and the water source is under control, then book; readings taken mid-cleanup tell you little. Buyers looking at older houses near the river should fit the inspection inside the due-diligence period, and ask the sellers directly whether the house took water in 2010 and what was replaced afterward. A report that shows dry framing and clean subfloor is worth having either way. If walls or floors end up being replaced, the Town of Kingston Springs Building and Codes office on Spring Street issues permits through its iWorQ portal.