HVAC & Air Duct Mold Removal in White House, TN

Could the 2024 flooding have reached my ducts?

It's worth checking. White House, a growing city along I-65 about 22 miles north of Nashville, has had its share of flash flooding. On September 1, 2017, Highway 31W and Highway 76 (Portland Road) in White House were closed by high water. On May 8, 2024, floodwater got into part of White House High School, including some of the theater, and most of Tyree Springs Road was underwater for a time. If water reached your crawl space in either storm, the duct insulation under the floor may have stayed wet long enough to grow mold. EPA says to assume mold when wet materials couldn't be dried within 24 to 48 hours, and wet or moldy insulated duct generally has to be replaced rather than cleaned.

Does it matter which county I'm in?

For the mold work itself, no. For paperwork, a little. The city straddles the Robertson-Sumner county line, but building permits for property inside city limits come from City of White House Planning and Codes through its EnerGov portal, and the same department enforces the property maintenance code, with a Report a Concern link for renters whose landlord won't fix a leak. The state Home Improvement license for residential jobs of $3,000 or more applies in Robertson County but not Sumner, so the rule depends on your address. Any job of $25,000 or more needs a Tennessee contractor's license either way.

Do I call an HVAC company or a mold company?

If you can see growth or smell mustiness from the vents, start with a mold inspection or remediation company. The job involves sealing off vents and the work area, removing contaminated material and checking the space the ducts run through. An HVAC contractor is often brought in too, for a new coil, drain line repair or replacement ductwork. EPA advises not running a system you suspect is contaminated in the meantime, because the blower can spread mold through the house. Ask any company to show you the growth or explain how they confirmed it before you agree to a scope.

A local note

Angi reports national ranges of about $600 to $2,000 for air duct mold cleaning and $3,000 to $10,000 for HVAC system mold work; Middle Tennessee prices vary with access and how much duct comes out. The Robertson County Health Department in Springfield is a resource for health questions.