Mold Testing in Kingston Springs, TN

Local conditions in Kingston Springs

Kingston Springs started as a mineral-springs resort on the Harpeth River and grew into a residential town after sewer service arrived in 1989. The 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 away the river gauge, which had records going back to the early 1920s. Floodwaters flattened much of the wooded floodplain at Burns Park, and volunteers cleared debris from three destroyed houses.

Homes that were repaired after that flood, or that sit low near the river now, are where a well-chosen test can settle questions about hidden growth.

Which sample answers which question

Because EPA hasn't set federal limits for mold, none of these produce a pass-or-fail number. Results are read by comparison: inside versus outside, one room versus another, before versus after.

Signs that make testing worth considering

• A smell that comes back after the house has been shut up for a few days
• Repainted or patched walls in a house with a flood history you don't fully know
• Allergy-like irritation that seems to ease when you leave the house
• Warped trim or baseboards with no obvious leak

EPA says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs, but a spore count can't confirm that mold is behind anyone's symptoms. Health questions belong with a health professional.

Timing and seasons

Air sampling works best with the house closed up, which is easiest in the hottest and coldest months when the AC or furnace is running anyway. Late summer, after weeks of humid air, is when crawl space and attic growth tends to show itself. Spring storms can push the Harpeth up quickly, so if water gets in, dry first and test later. If rebuilding follows removal, the Town of Kingston Springs Building and Codes office at 396 Spring Street issues permits through its iWorQ portal.