Mold Remediation in Cartersville, GA

Bartow County's seat

Cartersville is the county seat of Bartow County, with about 23,200 residents at the 2020 Census. It sits on the northwest edge of metro Atlanta, about 38 miles from downtown in a straight line, along Interstate 75 and US 41 and 411. Manufacturing, tourism and regional healthcare all play a role. Visitors come for the Etowah Indian Mounds, the Booth Western Art Museum, the Tellus Science Museum and Red Top Mountain State Park.

Water on two sides

The Etowah River runs through a broad valley south of downtown. Lake Allatoona, held back by Allatoona Dam, is on the city's eastern edge, and Nancy Creek is nearby. During the September 2009 floods, the National Weather Service listed a gauge in the Etowah River basin near Cartersville above flood stage.

Homes on low ground near the river or on lots that slope toward water should keep an eye on lower levels and crawl spaces. EPA says that after flooding, anything that couldn't be dried within 24 to 48 hours should be treated as moldy.

The everyday picture

Far more often, mold starts with an ordinary problem:

• A crawl space where humid summer air condenses on ducts and joists.
• An attic with a clogged AC condensate line or roof leak.
• A bathroom with no working exhaust fan.
• A slow drip from a supply line, water heater or dishwasher.

EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally 30 to 50, and fixing leaks fast. Porous materials like carpet and ceiling tile may need to be thrown out if moldy.

Permits and complaints

If mold removal turns into replacing framing, subfloor, walls or ductwork, ask the City of Cartersville which office issues building permits for your address. Renters with an unrepaired leak should ask the city which office handles housing code complaints; Georgia Legal Aid points tenants to local housing code enforcement when landlords don't act. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 44-7-13) requires landlords to keep rentals in repair. Put the request in writing. Georgia does not allow rent withholding. This is general information, not legal advice.

Health

Bartow County Environmental Health is part of Northwest Georgia Public Health, whose district environmental health office is in Rome. EPA says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs, and people with asthma or weakened immune systems should avoid moldy areas. See a health professional with concerns.

Hiring

Georgia has no license specific to mold work, and the Department of Public Health says mold work has no enforceable state or federal standards. For rebuild work, confirm a Georgia residential or general contractor license on GOALS Verify Now. An independent inspector can help with the scope and the final check. Calling the number on this page connects you with an independent local company that serves Cartersville.