Post-Remediation Clearance Testing in Portland, TN

What happens when you call

You will be connected with an independent local inspector who works in Portland and the surrounding part of Sumner and Robertson counties. Tell them what was removed, whether the containment is still up and when rebuilding is supposed to start. The visit usually covers a walk-through of the cleaned area, moisture readings in wood and subfloor, a check against the written scope, and lab samples if they help answer whether the cleanup worked. You get a written result either way.

Cost factors

Angi lists national ranges of about $303 to $1,075 for a mold inspection and $250 to $500 for a mold test; local prices vary. Expect the total to depend on:

• How many rooms or zones were cleaned.
• The number of samples, including an outdoor comparison.
• Getting under a house or manufactured home.
• Whether a re-check is needed.

Local conditions in Portland

Portland sits on the Highland Rim in far northern Middle Tennessee, and about 11 percent of its homes are mobile or manufactured, with a rental share above one-third. Manufactured homes often have ductwork and plumbing in the belly under the floor, which the inspector should look at if the cleanup reached that area. The county Flood Insurance Study says Donoho Branch floods frequently because of sinkholes and drainage patterns, and the Portland Flood Channel, finished in 1997, was built to cut that flooding. During the May 19, 2017 flash flooding, multiple rescues were reported in Portland.

Portland straddles Sumner and Robertson counties. On the Robertson County side, a residential remediation job from $3,000 to under $25,000 needs the state Home Improvement license, so check the company on TDCI's Verify a License search. Rebuild permits inside city limits come from the City of Portland Building Codes Department, which also handles property nuisance complaints.

Before the inspector arrives

• Keep the plastic barriers and air scrubbers in place.
• Have the scope of work and photos from the cleanup.
• Note how the leak or flooding was stopped.
• Open the access panel or skirting if the work was under the home.
• Keep pets and children out of the work area until the result is in.
• Write down any questions about the rebuild schedule so the inspector can tell you when it is safe to proceed.