HVAC & Air Duct Mold Removal in Ball Ground, GA

Ball Ground is a small Cherokee County city at the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, about 41 miles from Atlanta, with a National Register historic district downtown. Its historic homes from the 1880s through the 1920s were built long before central air, so their ductwork was added later, often through crawl spaces and attics with long, winding runs. Newer subdivisions built since 1997 usually have systems designed in, but they still depend on a drain pan and condensate line that can clog. During the September 2009 floods, the Sharp Mountain Creek gauge at Ballground reached its 18-foot flood stage on September 21, and Cherokee County was later designated for FEMA Individual Assistance.

What to do now

1. Turn the system off if you can. EPA says a contaminated system can spread mold through the house.
2. Look under the coil for a wet or rusty pan and check that the drain line drips outside on a hot day.
3. In an older home, check crawl space duct runs for loose joints, damp wrap or a sour smell.
4. Photograph everything before cleaning starts.
5. Bring indoor humidity down below 60 percent, as EPA recommends.

Signs and likely causes

Cherokee County Environmental Health, part of the North Georgia Health District at 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton, takes mold complaints and gives information but does not inspect residences, since there are no enforceable mold standards. For permits on equipment or duct replacement, ask the contractor to confirm the requirements with the City of Ball Ground.

Cost factors

• Angi's Atlanta cost guide lists HVAC system mold remediation at $3,522 to $11,740
• Long or hard-to-reach duct runs in older homes add labor
• Duct board and lined duct are replaced, not cleaned
• Coil, blower or drain repairs add cost