Mold & Mildew Removal in Lebanon, TN

We're near Spencer Creek. Why does mildew keep showing up?

Homes along Spencer Creek near Lebanon flood repeatedly, and some residents have built berms to protect their houses. Neighbors have pointed to debris piling up under a bridge on Northern Road near Highway 109. Even when water stops short of the living space, it can soak the crawl space and foundation, and that dampness rises into floors, closets and lower walls. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a Wilson County watershed study starting with Spencer Creek, and county officials said the county has seen flood events since 2010 it had not experienced before. If mildew follows each high-water event, the moisture under the house is the real problem.

Can we clean it ourselves after a flood?

Small spots on hard surfaces, yes. Wear gloves, goggles and an N-95, scrub with detergent and water, and dry the area fast. EPA says if a home was flooded and couldn't be dried within 24 to 48 hours, assume mold is growing. Carpet, pad, insulation and drywall that soaked up flood water usually have to come out, and that is a job for a company with containment. Keep children out of flood cleanup. Several roads near Lebanon, including Bluebird Road east of town off I-40, went under water in February 2019, so check your own drainage after any heavy rain.

Who handles repairs and complaints in Lebanon?

Inside city limits, building permits for rebuilding come from the City of Lebanon Building Inspection Department on North Castle Heights Avenue, and electrical inspections are done by State of Tennessee deputy inspectors. Wilson County isn't on the list of counties requiring the state Home Improvement license, but jobs of $25,000 or more need a Tennessee contractor's license with the S-F mold remediation classification.

A note for the Cedar City

Lebanon, the Wilson County seat, is built around a historic Town Square and is home to Cumberland University. Older houses often have original windows and bath fans that let mildew build up; newer ones can trap moisture when fans aren't used. The Wilson County Health Department in Lebanon is a local resource for health questions, and EPA notes that people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy areas.