Mold Remediation in Gretna, LA
Gretna faces uptown New Orleans from the west bank of the Mississippi, about 3 miles south of downtown, and has the oldest housing in Jefferson Parish. NOLA Mold Remediation is a free quote service: describe the mold once and independent local companies can reply.
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The oldest homes in Jefferson Parish
Gretna was settled in 1836 under the name Mechanikham. Today it is the parish seat and the second-largest city in Jefferson Parish, with 17,360 residents in the Census Bureau 2025 estimate.
Its housing is much older than the rest of the parish. According to the American Community Survey 2020–2024:
- Median year built is 1966, against 1975 for Jefferson Parish as a whole.
- 36.8% of homes were built before 1960.
- 16.5% were built in 1939 or earlier.
Older Gretna neighborhoods likely include raised homes on piers, like many older New Orleans houses, though the Census does not track foundation type.
What old houses and wet air do together
A house from 1939 has been through every hurricane since. In older homes, mold often starts in places a newer house doesn't have:
Under the floor
On a raised house, the crawl space sits at outdoor humidity. Insulation and joists under a cooled floor can stay damp all summer.
In plaster and old walls
Layers of repairs hide old leaks. A musty smell may be the only sign.
Around added bathrooms and AC
Plumbing and ductwork retrofitted into old houses often run through tight, unvented spaces.
These are general patterns for older homes in a humid climate, not findings about any particular Gretna street. New Orleans averages about 63 inches of rain a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals at the airport), and summer dew points from June through August average about 72 to 74°F. EPA suggests keeping indoor humidity below 60%.
Accounts of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 say the city lost power, water and sewer service but did not itself flood. In 2021, Ida cut power across all of Jefferson Parish. In older Gretna houses, mold problems likely trace back more often to roofs, plumbing and humidity than to floodwater.
A majority-renter city
51.2% of Gretna's occupied homes are rented (ACS 2020–2024), higher than New Orleans. 8.7% of units are in two-unit buildings, so a leak on one side of a double can show up as mold on the other. Renters: tell your landlord in writing and keep a copy; repair-and-deduct under Civil Code art. 2694 has conditions. Landlords: a written report from the company helps settle questions later. Neighboring Terrytown has a similar renter share.
Checking a company
Louisiana requires a Mold Remediation license from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) for mold remediation projects of about $7,500 and up (La. R.S. 37:2150.1). Before you sign, look up the company's license on the LSLBC website. Ask for a written contract with the license number, price and insurance certificates.
Crawl space mold work runs $500 to $2,000 in published national estimates (Fixr, Aug 2025), not quotes. See the full cost guide.
Gretna mold questions
Why do older Gretna houses get mold under the floor?
Many older homes in the New Orleans area sit raised on piers over a ventilated crawl space, and that space breathes outdoor air. With summer dew points around 72 to 74°F, the underside of a cooled floor can collect condensation. Wet insulation, subfloor and joists can then grow mold. A company should check moisture under the house, not just inside.
Does Gretna require a permit for mold removal?
Mold cleanup itself usually isn't permitted work. Rebuilding often is: replacing drywall, plumbing, electrical or roofing can need a permit, and Gretna and Jefferson Parish have their own rules, separate from New Orleans. Ask the company doing the rebuild to confirm and pull any permit needed.
I rent in Gretna. Who pays for mold removal?
Under Louisiana's Civil Code, landlords are generally responsible for necessary repairs that are not caused by the tenant, and mold from a roof or plumbing leak is commonly treated that way. Ask for the repair in writing and keep copies. Damage you caused can be yours to fix. This is a general summary, not legal advice.
Nearby towns and related services
See all service areas, or the New Orleans home page across the river.
Get mold quotes in Gretna
Describe where the mold is (inside, under the house, attic), how much, and whether you own or rent. Independent mold companies serving Gretna reply on their own schedules. They may pay to receive requests; you are under no obligation.
Found mold or a musty smell? Get free quotes.
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