Mold Testing in Lebanon, TN

Our home is near Spencer Creek and has flooded before. What should we test, and when?

Homes along Spencer Creek near Lebanon flood repeatedly, and some neighbors have built berms to protect their houses; residents point to debris piling up under the Northern Road bridge near Highway 109. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started a Wilson County watershed study with Spencer Creek, and county officials have said the area has seen flood events since 2010 that it hadn't experienced before. If water has gotten in more than once, skip testing right after the flood: EPA says to assume mold when materials stay wet beyond 24 to 48 hours. Test after the cleanup, before you rebuild, and again if a smell comes back after the next high-water event.

Does a lab test tell me whether the house is safe?

Not on its own. EPA has set no federal limits for mold spores, so no number on a report means safe or unsafe. A useful report compares indoor samples with an outdoor sample taken the same day and is paired with moisture readings and a look at the crawl space, attic and any rooms that took water. If indoor results look like outdoor results and the house is dry, that's reassuring. If they don't, the next step is finding the moisture.

I rent near the Square. How do I get the landlord to act?

Report the leak or moisture problem to the landlord in writing and keep a copy. If nothing happens, the City of Lebanon's Codes Enforcement takes complaints through an online Codes Complaint form or by phone. A test isn't required to file, but a report with photos and readings can document what you're dealing with.

A local note

Angi reports a national range of about $250 to $500 for a mold test, more with additional samples, and Wilson County prices vary. Repairs after remediation that need a permit go through the City of Lebanon Building Inspection Department on North Castle Heights Avenue. For health questions, the Wilson County Health Department is on East Baddour Parkway; EPA notes mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs.