After heavy rain in Cottontown, water in a crawl space, garage or lower floor can become mold within a couple of days if it isn't dried. Leaks and summer humidity cause the rest. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Cottontown.
Mold services in Cottontown
What to do right after water gets in
- Make sure the area is safe, then stop or redirect the water if you can.
- Pull out wet rugs, cardboard and anything soft that can be moved.
- Start drying with fans and a dehumidifier; EPA says dry within 24 to 48 hours.
- Photograph the damage before you throw things out.
- If drying took longer than that, EPA says to assume mold has started.
Cottontown and its water
Cottontown is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place of 397 people along State Route 25, northwest of Gallatin in Sumner County and about 24 miles from Nashville. On the morning of May 19, 2017, flash flooding hit Cottontown, with the water starting to go down later that day. Sumner County's Flood Insurance Study explains why: headwater streams rise fast in intense local rain and often overflow, and the county's major floods have usually come in late winter and early spring.
Away from flood days, the steady sources are humidity and leaks. Crawl spaces common across Middle Tennessee soak up summer moisture, ductwork running through them can sweat, and spring storms test every roof.
Signs and what usually causes them
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Swollen baseboards, spotting near the floor | Water that came in during a storm |
| Musty smell when the AC runs | Damp crawl space or ductwork condensation |
| Brown rings on a ceiling | Roof or plumbing leak above |
| Fuzzy growth on stored items | High humidity in a closed room |
Permits, complaints and health
Sumner County Building and Codes in Gallatin issues building permits for unincorporated communities like Cottontown. Mold removal itself isn't permitted work, but structural repairs can be. If you plan to rebuild in a mapped flood zone, Sumner County Engineering and Floodplain Administration handles floodplain development permits and elevation certificates. Renters whose landlord ignores a leak can file a property maintenance complaint online with Sumner County Building and Codes. The Sumner County Health Department is based in Gallatin. EPA says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs; people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay clear and see a health professional with concerns.
Cost and licensing
Price depends on how much area is affected, whether drywall, insulation or subfloor must be removed, and how hard the space is to reach. Tennessee requires a contractor's license for jobs of $25,000 or more, with the S-F classification for mold remediation. Sumner is not a county where the separate Home Improvement license applies. Check the company you're connected with on TDCI's Verify a License search.
Common questions in Cottontown
Has Cottontown flooded before?
How long do I have to dry things after a flood?
Do I need a floodplain permit to rebuild?
Where can a Cottontown renter complain about leaks?
Nearby cities and towns
Sources
- Cottontown, Tennessee (Wikipedia)
- NewsChannel 5: Dramatic rescues play out in Sumner County
- Sumner County Flood Insurance Study, Volume 1 (pdf)
- Sumner County: Engineering and Floodplain Administration
- Sumner County: Building and Codes
- Tennessee Department of Health: Sumner County Health Department
- EPA: Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters (pdf)
- EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home
- Tennessee Contractor Classification Outline (TDCI)
- TDCI: Bidding FAQs
- TDCI: Bidding and Contractor License Requirements (pdf)
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