Black Mold Removal in Forest Park, GA

About Forest Park

Forest Park is a northern Clayton County city of about 19,900 people, roughly 9 miles from Atlanta. It began as a railroad wood-and-water stop, was chartered in 1908, and later annexed the former Fort Gillem Army post. Its neighborhoods sit between I-75, I-285 and US 41, and many renters live here. Humid summers, heavy storms and aging plumbing are the usual roots of dark mold in its homes. Clayton County was among the Georgia counties under a state of emergency during the September 2009 floods, but most cases here start smaller: a roof that lets rain into the attic, a supply line under a sink, or an air handler drain that overflows into a hall closet. Renters often notice the stain first and should not wait to report it.

What to do now

1. Stop the source. Shut off a leaking line, call a roofer for a ceiling stain, or clear a clogged AC drain.
2. Size it up. Under about 10 square feet, EPA says most homeowners can clean it themselves. Over that, or inside a wall, call a professional.
3. Bag porous items. Moldy carpet pad, cardboard boxes and ceiling tiles usually cannot be saved.
4. Skip the paint. EPA says not to paint or caulk over mold.
5. If you rent, write it down. Send your landlord a dated written repair request and keep a copy.

Reading the signs

Cost factors

Angi's Atlanta cost guide reports most jobs at $1,249 to $4,363, or roughly $12 to $29 per square foot. The area involved, the amount of drywall and flooring removed, containment, disposal and the rebuild all move the price. Forest Park Planning & Community Development on Forest Parkway issues building, plumbing and mechanical permits for repair work that follows. The city also runs a Residential Rental Dwelling Unit Inspection and Maintenance Program, and its Code Enforcement staff are the place to report leaks a landlord has left unrepaired.