Mold in Walls & Drywall in Cumming, GA

Is this mold inside my wall?

Mildew on the surface cleans up and stays gone once a bathroom is ventilated. Growth inside a wall keeps coming back, spreads or rings outward, bubbles paint, and can leave drywall soft near the floor. A musty smell at one spot is a strong clue. A company will confirm it with a moisture meter, a thermal camera or a small inspection opening. EPA notes that sampling is usually unnecessary when mold is visible, so lab testing is optional unless the source is hidden.

Cumming is the Forsyth County seat and the county's only incorporated city, about 7,300 people roughly 35 miles from Atlanta near GA 400, Lake Lanier and Sawnee Mountain. In the September 2009 floods, the NWS gauge on Big Creek at Cumming crested at 10.43 feet, just over its 10-foot flood stage. Most wall mold here, though, comes from plumbing leaks, roof and window leaks in summer storms, finished lower levels against damp clay, and condensation on cool walls.

Which local offices can help?

The City of Cumming Planning & Zoning Department issues construction permits and performs building inspections inside city limits, with a Chief Building Official on staff, so ask there whether your rebuild needs a permit. The department's Code Enforcement Officer is the contact for renters whose landlord has not fixed a leak. The Forsyth County Health Department's Environmental Health office on Freedom Parkway can answer health questions; Georgia DPH says indoor mold has no enforceable state or federal standards. A Cumming mailing address does not always mean a home is inside city limits, so confirm which office covers yours.

Who rebuilds, and what does it cost?

Georgia has no state mold license or certification. For rebuilding, ask whether the company holds a Georgia residential or general contractor license and check it on GOALS Verify Now; Georgia defines a residential contractor by work over $2,500. Angi's Atlanta cost guide reports most remediation pros charge $12 to $29 per square foot, plus $1,174 to $3,405 for drywall repair.

A local note

Lake homes that sit closed up for weeks can build up humidity. Running the AC or a dehumidifier while you are away helps keep indoor humidity below 60 percent, as EPA advises.