Mold in a Dunwoody wall nearly always follows a leak: a pipe in the wall, a roof or gutter problem, or rain past a window. The repair is to stop the water, cut out the moldy drywall and insulation, dry and clean the framing and rebuild. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Dunwoody.
Dunwoody in brief
Dunwoody is a northern suburb about 14 miles from downtown Atlanta, with a historic village core, the Perimeter Center job hub and mostly suburban neighborhoods. Residential building took off in the 1960s, with subdivisions such as Georgetown built alongside apartments. Homes from that period are old enough that original plumbing, windows and roofs have usually been through at least one round of repairs. Every patch and replacement adds a joint or seam where water can get into a wall cavity, and in the apartment communities a leak in one unit can show up in the walls of another.
What to do now
- Stop the water. Close the fixture valve or the main, or cover a roof or window leak from outside if it is safe.
- Dry the area within 24 to 48 hours, the window EPA gives for preventing growth.
- Do not cover the stain with paint, caulk or wallpaper; EPA warns against painting over mold.
- Photograph everything and keep receipts for any emergency repair.
- Renters: tell the landlord in writing. Dunwoody's tenant resources page lists mold itself as non-enforceable, but interior water leaks, roof disrepair and broken gutters are enforceable by Code Enforcement, at 678-382-6890 or through the city's online portal.
- Get the wall assessed so the cut covers all the wet material, not just the stain.
What you see and the likely cause
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Stain at the top of a wall near the ceiling | Roof leak or clogged gutter backing up |
| Mold spots low on a wall behind a toilet | Supply line or wax ring leak |
| Damp drywall under a window after storms | Failed flashing, sill or caulk |
| Musty smell in an apartment with no visible stain | Leak from a neighboring or upstairs unit |
| Peeling paint near the AC closet | Condensate drain backup |
Cost factors
Angi's Atlanta cost guide reports $12 to $29 per square foot for remediation, with a typical range of $1,249 to $4,363. Price depends on the area removed, insulation and framing damage, containment, and the rebuild, which in Dunwoody may need a permit from Community Development's Permits and Inspections staff at [email protected] or 678-382-6821. Ask for removal and rebuild to be priced separately so quotes are easy to compare.
Mold in Walls & Drywall questions in Dunwoody
My landlord ignores a leak behind the wall. What can I do?
Can I paint over mold on drywall?
Does Georgia license mold removal companies?
Why does mold keep coming back on the same wall?
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