Mold Removal & Remediation in Lebanon, TN

Why do homes near Spencer Creek keep dealing with water?

Homes along Spencer Creek near Lebanon flood repeatedly, and some residents have built berms to protect their houses. Neighbors point to debris piling up under a bridge on Northern Road near Highway 109. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a Wilson County watershed study starting with Spencer Creek, with possible later work on Barton's Creek, Sinking Creek, Spring Creek, Hurricane Creek and the karst region of the Stones River. Repeated flooding means repeated wetting, and each time, crawl spaces, lower walls and insulation have to be dried quickly or mold settles in. In February 2019, several Wilson County roads went under water, including Bluebird Road east of Lebanon off I-40.

What does karst have to do with mold?

Much of the area sits on limestone with sinkholes and underground drainage. Water can pond in low spots that aren't near any creek, and it can push up through a crawl space floor after heavy rain. Add humid summers, and a house can have damp framing without any obvious leak. If you smell mold under the floors, have the crawl space checked for standing water, wet insulation and condensation on ductwork.

Who handles permits and rental complaints in Lebanon?

For addresses inside city limits, the City of Lebanon Building Inspection Department on North Castle Heights Avenue takes building permit applications and does framing, mechanical and final inspections; electrical inspections are done by state deputy inspectors. Remediation alone isn't usually permitted work, but rebuilding walls or framing afterward can be. Renters whose landlord won't fix a leak can file with City of Lebanon Codes Enforcement through its online complaint form or by phone. Health questions can go to the Wilson County Health Department on East Baddour Parkway.

A note on cost

Angi reports a national typical remediation range of $1,223 to $3,758, crawl spaces at $500 to $2,000, and encapsulation at $1,500 to $15,000. Middle Tennessee prices vary. Wilson County isn't on TDCI's list of counties needing the Home Improvement license for smaller jobs, but projects of $25,000 or more need a Tennessee contractor's license with the S-F mold classification; check it on TDCI's Verify a License search.