Black Mold Removal in Nashville, TN

First 48 hours: what you can do before anyone arrives

1. Find the moisture. In Middle Tennessee houses it is usually a dripping supply line, a roof leak, a sweating crawl space duct or a damp basement wall.
2. Stop it if you can, and start drying. EPA's rule of thumb is to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours.
3. If the growth is near a supply register or you suspect the ductwork, leave the HVAC off. EPA warns that running a contaminated system can spread mold through the house.
4. Do not paint, caulk or spray a sealer over the patch. EPA says covering mold does not fix it.
5. Keep anyone with asthma or a weakened immune system away from the area.

Myths that lead Nashville homeowners astray

How a remediation company handles a larger patch

Above about 10 square feet, or anywhere there was a lot of water damage, EPA points to its commercial remediation guidance, and this is where a company earns its fee. Expect the crew to seal the work area with plastic, run air filtration so dust does not drift into the rest of the house, remove and bag wet drywall, insulation or subfloor, HEPA-vacuum and clean the framing, and dry it before anything is rebuilt. If structural pieces must be replaced, ask whether a Metro Codes permit is needed.

Checking the company before you sign

• For a job of $25,000 or more, the company needs a Tennessee contractor's license, and for mold work the right classification is mold remediation (S-F).
• For residential work from $3,000 up to $25,000 in Davidson, Robertson or Rutherford County, Tennessee requires a Home Improvement license.
• Look the company up on TDCI's Verify a License search.
• Tennessee does not require the tester and the remover to be different businesses, but Angi recommends separate companies, and an independent mold assessor for clearance keeps the results honest.

What it may cost

Angi reports a national typical range of $1,223 to $3,758 for mold remediation, with most pros charging $10 to $25 per square foot. A dark patch in a bathroom runs $500 to $1,000 nationally; inside walls it can reach $1,000 to $20,000. Middle Tennessee prices vary. Square footage, how much material must be torn out, access in a tight crawl space or finished basement, and the rebuild afterward drive the number most.