Mold Remediation in Bethpage, TN

Bethpage is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place of 313 people on U.S. Route 31E, northeast of Gallatin in Sumner County and about 34 miles from Nashville. It has its own post office, ZIP 37022, but no town government, so the county handles permits and code matters.

What happens when you call

You'll be connected with an independent mold remediation company that serves this part of Sumner County. Be ready to describe where you see growth or smell mustiness, how much area it covers, and whether there's an active leak or recent water. Many companies will want to inspect before giving a price. If mold is visible, EPA says testing usually isn't needed to decide on removal; it's more useful afterward to check the work.

What drives the cost

• How many square feet are affected
• Whether drywall, insulation, flooring or subfloor has to come out
• Access, such as a tight crawl space or a low attic
• Whether ductwork is involved
• Containment and air filtration needed to protect the rest of the house

Local conditions

Middle Tennessee's humid summers and wet springs keep crawl spaces and attics damp, and in any home, older roofs and plumbing that runs through a crawl space are frequent sources of hidden leaks. Sumner County's Flood Insurance Study adds that small headwater streams rise quickly and often spill over in intense local storms, with major floods most common in late winter and early spring. Sumner County Engineering and Floodplain Administration manages floodplain development permits and elevation certificates and links the county's FEMA flood maps.

Permits, renters and health

Sumner County Building and Codes in Gallatin issues building permits and inspections for unincorporated Bethpage. Mold removal alone isn't permitted work, but replacing structural members afterward can be. The same office takes online complaints about health, safety and property maintenance violations, which is where renters can turn over a leak a landlord won't fix. The Sumner County Health Department's main office is in Gallatin. EPA says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs, and people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy areas.

Before the company arrives

• Shut off the water source if you can and note when the problem started.
• Don't run the HVAC if you suspect mold in it, per EPA.
• Ask whether the company holds a Tennessee contractor's license with the S-F mold remediation classification; it's required for jobs of $25,000 or more. Sumner County has no Home Improvement license requirement for smaller jobs. Check on TDCI's Verify a License search.