Black Mold Removal in Old Hickory, TN

Local conditions in Old Hickory

Old Hickory sits on Hadley Bend in eastern Davidson County, about 10 miles from downtown Nashville, bounded by the Cumberland River on the north and west and Old Hickory Lake on the east. It began as a DuPont company town, and the Village of Old Hickory historic district still holds the worker bungalows and larger management homes, many listed on the National Register. In the Old Hickory (North Hermitage) area about half of homes were built before 1980, and roughly 68 percent are detached houses. During the May 2010 flood, the National Weather Service documented high water at Old Hickory Dam and on the lake. Older houses can carry original plumbing, little wall insulation and crawl spaces that stay humid all summer, and each of those gives dark mold a foothold.

Small patch or full removal?

Signs to watch

• Dark staining on plaster or drywall below an upstairs bath.
• Black growth on joists under a bungalow floor.
• A musty smell inside closets on exterior walls.
• Window sills that turn dark every winter.
• Dark growth on the back of baseboard trim when it is pulled off.
• Peeling paint on a wall that backs onto a shower.

Timing and seasons

Humidity peaks in summer, so crawl spaces and closets tend to grow the most mold from June through September, and spring storms are when roof leaks show up. Winter brings condensation on single-pane windows and cold plaster walls. If the work involves replacing structural members in a historic house, Metro Codes issues the residential permit. Davidson County residential jobs from $3,000 to under $25,000 require a state Home Improvement license, and Angi recommends hiring a separate company for the final check. Health questions can go to Metro Public Health, whose mold and moisture handout is a useful starting point for households.