Mold Remediation in Pegram, TN

Is living near the Harpeth a mold risk?

Pegram is a small Cheatham County town along the Harpeth River on U.S. Route 70, about 16 miles west-southwest of downtown Nashville. River towns tend to deal with humid air through the warm months and ground that stays wet after storms, and that moisture finds its way into crawl spaces and basements. If your property is near the river or one of the creeks feeding it, look up your flood zone on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Hillside and older homes in Middle Tennessee often have basements or crawl spaces with ductwork running through them, so a damp space under the house can become a musty smell from the vents. EPA advises against running heating or cooling equipment you suspect is contaminated.

What should I do first if water got in?

Dry it fast. EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours, and if a flooded home couldn't be dried in that window, to assume mold is growing. Pull out wet carpet and pad, and set aside porous items that can't be cleaned. Children shouldn't help with flood cleanup, and adults should wear at least an N-95 respirator. Don't paint or caulk over mold; EPA says it will keep growing underneath.

Who handles permits in Pegram?

Under Pegram's municipal code, the town building inspector is the person authorized to issue all permits, and the board of mayor and aldermen appoints the electrical and gas inspectors. Mold removal by itself isn't permitted work, but replacing framing, subfloor or walls afterward may be, so check with the town building inspector before rebuilding. Renters with a leak the landlord won't repair should put the request in writing and ask Pegram's town hall which office handles property conditions.

A local note on health and hiring

The Cheatham County Health Department on John Mayfield Drive in Ashland City is the nearest public health office, and the Tennessee Department of Health's Healthy Homes page covers mold basics. EPA notes mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs, and people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy areas; take health questions to a health professional.

You'll be connected with an independent local company. For any job of $25,000 or more, the company needs the Tennessee contractor's license with the mold remediation (S-F) classification, which TDCI's Verify a License search will confirm. For a second opinion on the scope, an independent mold inspector can assess before work and check the area after.