Mold Remediation in Whites Creek, TN

The creek and the history

Whites Creek sits about 8 miles north of downtown and is part of Metro Nashville-Davidson County, governed by the Metropolitan Council rather than a separate town. The stream that gives the area its name runs north and south along U.S. Route 431. Wikipedia describes its 157-acre historic district, with buildings from the 1830s into the early 1900s, as the city's only historic rural area. Fontanel and the Frederick Stump House are nearby landmarks.

In the May 2010 flood, the National Weather Service gauge on Whites Creek at Bordeaux, downstream, crested at 25.82 feet, more than 6 feet above its 2002 record. That tells you how hard this creek can run in a big rain.

What it means for mold

Older houses with crawl spaces or basements tend to stay damp, and Middle Tennessee's humid summers make it worse. Metro Water Services says regulated floodplains appear on FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and its Development Services Division can provide a property's flood zone, base flood elevation and elevation certificate on request. Metro also points out that land outside the mapped hazard area isn't guaranteed to stay dry. After any water event, EPA advises drying within 24 to 48 hours and assuming mold if that didn't happen.

Permits, renters and health

Since Whites Creek is inside Metro, building permits come from Metro Codes. Cleaning mold isn't permitted work, but Metro says repairs beyond normal maintenance, like replacing a supporting wall or altering load-bearing framing, require a permit. Roughly 23 percent of homes in the 37189 ZIP are rented. Tenants whose landlord won't fix a leak or moisture problem can report it to Metro Codes Property Standards through hubNashville or the Codes Hotline. The Metro Public Health Department publishes a handout called Mold, Moisture, and Your Home that is worth reading.

EPA says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs. People with asthma or weakened immune systems should keep away from moldy areas and check with a health professional.

Calling and choosing a company

Your call reaches an independent remediation company that works in north Davidson County. Davidson is one of the counties where Tennessee requires a Home Improvement license for residential jobs from $3,000 to under $25,000. Jobs of $25,000 or more require a contractor's license, and mold remediation carries the S-F classification. Use TDCI's Verify a License search before you sign. An independent inspector for the clearance check is good practice.