Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw at a glance

Kennesaw is a suburban city about 23 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, with railroad and Civil War history, Kennesaw State University and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park next door. Butler Creek has an NWS gauge listed at Kennesaw, and in the September 2009 floods it crested at 14.27 feet against a 12-foot flood stage. Most mildew here, though, comes from everyday humidity: shared bathrooms in rentals, closets packed tight, and AC systems that cool without drying the air enough. Apartments and townhomes that sit empty over school breaks with the thermostat set high are another common setup for a musty return.

What to do now

1. Check the humidity. Aim for below 60 percent, ideally 30 to 50, as the EPA recommends.
2. Run the bathroom fan during every shower and for 20 minutes after, and squeegee the walls.
3. Look for leaks under sinks, at the toilet base and around the water heater.
4. Clear the AC condensate line and keep the drain pan clean.
5. Wear gloves and eye protection, then scrub hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry them.
6. Toss porous items such as bath mats and ceiling tiles that stay musty.
7. Renters: report the problem to the landlord in writing and keep a copy.

Signs and likely causes

Cost factors

Angi's Atlanta cost guide reports bathroom mold work at about $587 to $1,174 and most jobs at roughly $12 to $29 per square foot; HVAC work runs higher. Removing drywall or carpet adds cost. Kennesaw's Building Services Department handles permits online and can confirm whether a property is within city limits. Renters can file a concern with the Kennesaw Code Enforcement Division through the city's online portal; the city has adopted the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code. Cobb and Douglas Public Health says tenants with mold from a mechanical or structural failure may contact the local building inspections department.