Mold & Mildew Removal in Old Hickory, TN

Local conditions in Old Hickory

Old Hickory began as a DuPont company town on Hadley Bend, and the Village of Old Hickory historic district still holds the worker bungalows and larger management homes, many listed on the National Register of Historic Places. About 49.7 percent of homes in the Old Hickory (North Hermitage) area were built before 1980, and roughly 68 percent are detached houses. The neighborhood is wrapped by water: the Cumberland River on the north and west and Old Hickory Lake on the east, with the lock and dam to the north. In May 2010 the National Weather Service documented high water at Old Hickory Dam, on the lake and at a bridge over Langford Cove.

Older houses often have small bathrooms with weak ventilation and closets on outside walls, both easy targets for mildew in a humid setting.

Light mildew or mold damage?

Signs worth a closer look

• Spots returning on original woodwork or window trim.
• Discolored wallpaper or paint near a tub.
• A musty basement or crawl space smell drifting upstairs.
• Mildew on items stored in a room that stays closed.

Timing and local notes

Humidity runs high from late spring through early fall, so that is when to run dehumidifiers and bath fans hardest; EPA's target is below 60 percent indoor humidity. After water gets in, dry it within 24 to 48 hours. Owners planning to replace trim, windows or walls after mold removal should check with Metro Codes about permits first, since repairs beyond normal maintenance need one. Renters can report unrepaired leaks to Metro Codes Property Standards through hubNashville. Davidson County jobs from $3,000 to under $25,000 need the state Home Improvement license. In an older house, remediation can mean removing original trim or flooring, so ask the company which pieces can be cleaned and kept and which truly need replacing.