Mold Remediation in Thompson's Station, TN

A small town with a long rain record

Thompson's Station is a Williamson County town about 26 miles south of Nashville, between Franklin and Spring Hill. It grew up as a railroad stop, saw the Battle of Thompson's Station in 1863, and was incorporated in 1990. During the May 2010 flood, about 14.4 inches of rain fell here over two days.

Williamson County's emergency management office says the Harpeth River and its creeks are the county's main flood sources and that flash floods can arrive with little warning. It also notes that most streams and creeks are the property owner's responsibility, so a blocked channel at the back of a lot is often yours to deal with. Owners can look up their property on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Insurance and flood water

The county points out that homeowner's policies don't cover flooding; that coverage comes through the National Flood Insurance Program. If water came in from outside, read both policies before cleanup starts, take photos, and keep receipts.

Mold sources in a newer suburb

Not every case starts with a flood. Middle Tennessee summers are long and humid, and homes built over crawl spaces or with ductwork in a crawl space or attic can pick up condensation where cool metal meets warm air. EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally 30 to 50, keeping AC drip pans clean and drain lines flowing, and never painting or caulking over mold. A small patch under about 10 square feet is usually a homeowner job, according to EPA; larger areas or mold after heavy water damage are where a professional comes in.

Permits, rentals and health

The Town of Thompson's Station takes building permit applications with plans, and its Planning and Codes staff work together on plan review. Removing mold is not permitted work, but rebuilding walls or structure afterward may be, so call the town before you start. Renters with a leak the landlord won't repair should put the request in writing and ask town hall which office handles property maintenance concerns.

The Williamson County Health Department on West Main Street in Franklin is the local public health office. EPA says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs, and people with asthma or weakened immune systems should avoid moldy areas.

When you call

You'll be connected with an independent local company. Any job of $25,000 or more requires the Tennessee contractor's license, and the mold remediation (S-F) classification covers this work. Verify the company on TDCI's Verify a License search, and consider a separate inspector for the assessment and clearance, which Angi recommends.