Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Canton, GA

Does living near the Etowah raise the risk?

Canton, the Cherokee County seat, is a city of about 33,000 people roughly 34 miles north of Atlanta. The Etowah River flows east to west through the center of the city, and Hickory Log Creek Reservoir lies to the north. In the September 2009 floods, an Etowah River basin gauge near Canton went above flood stage, and Cherokee County was one of four counties designated for FEMA Individual Assistance. Homes on low ground near the river or its creeks may see damp lower levels after big storms. For most houses, though, mildew comes from everyday humidity rather than floodwater.

How do I clean it without spreading it?

Mist the area lightly before scrubbing so spores are less likely to drift, wear gloves, goggles and an N-95 respirator, and clean hard surfaces with detergent and water. Dry everything right away. EPA says patches under about 10 square feet are generally manageable at home. Bag porous items such as rugs or cardboard that still smell, and do not paint over stains.

What if it keeps coming back?

Repeat growth means moisture is still getting in. Common causes are bath fans that vent into the attic, AC drain lines that clog in summer, slow plumbing leaks and damp crawl spaces. A remediation company can measure moisture, trace the source and remove material that cannot be cleaned. Angi's Atlanta cost guide puts bathroom mold work at about $587 to $1,174 and larger jobs at roughly $12 to $29 per square foot.

Ask each company how it will confirm the moisture is fixed, what will be removed and how the area will be contained. On larger jobs, an independent inspector for assessment and clearance is good practice, as Angi recommends, though Georgia does not require it.

A Canton note

Whether your home is near the revitalized downtown or in a newer neighborhood off I-575, the same rules apply: stop the water, dry fast and clean only what can be cleaned. Cherokee County Environmental Health, on Bluffs Parkway in Canton, receives mold complaints and gives information but does not inspect homes. For building permits on repair work, check with the City of Canton about which office covers your address.