In Lithia Springs, HVAC mold removal means stopping the water in or around the system, cleaning the coil, pan and metal ducts, and replacing moldy fiberglass duct board or flooded flex duct. EPA advises against running a system you suspect is contaminated. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Lithia Springs.
Lithia Springs is an unincorporated community in northeastern Douglas County, about 16 miles from Atlanta, named for the mineral springs that drew visitors in the 1880s. During the September 2009 floods, Sweetwater Creek crested just over 30 feet against a 17-foot flood stage, and a two-story home on Hasty Drive was submerged under more than 11 feet of water. Ducts and air handlers in crawl spaces were in the path of that water wherever it reached homes. Duct runs that were dried in place rather than replaced can still hold residue and a stale smell long afterward.
Away from the creek, the story is ordinary condensation. Roads like Thornton Road and Lee Road are lined with homes whose air handlers sit in attics or crawl spaces, and a drain line that slowly clogs over a summer can overflow into insulation without any sign indoors until the smell arrives.
What to do now
- Turn the AC off if you can. EPA says not to run a system you suspect has mold.
- Check the indoor unit: water in the pan, a dripping drain or wet insulation are the usual signs.
- If the crawl space has ever flooded, look at the duct runs underneath for sagging, staining or a sour smell.
- Photograph vents, stains and the unit.
- Run a dehumidifier in living areas; EPA recommends humidity below 60 percent.
- Renters: tell the landlord in writing and keep a copy.
Signs and likely causes
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Strong odor at startup that fades | Growth on the coil or in the pan |
| Crumbling duct board under the house | Old flood damage or long-term condensation |
| Wet floor near the furnace closet | Blocked condensate drain |
| Spotting on several vents at once | Mold inside the duct system or high indoor humidity |
Because Lithia Springs is unincorporated, building permits come from Douglas County Building Permits & Inspections at 4655 Timber Ridge Drive in Douglasville. Douglas County Code Enforcement enforces the International Property Maintenance Code in unincorporated areas, so renters with an unrepaired leak can contact it. Cobb & Douglas Public Health is the local health district; Georgia DPH says indoor mold has no enforceable state or federal standards.
What affects cost
- Angi's Atlanta cost guide lists HVAC system mold remediation at $3,522 to $11,740
- Replacing duct board or flooded flex duct costs more than cleaning metal
- Low crawl spaces slow the work
- Coil or drain repairs add a separate charge
HVAC & Air Duct Mold Removal questions in Lithia Springs
Are ducts in a crawl space more likely to grow mold?
Will the county health department inspect mold in my ducts?
Can moldy fiberglass duct board be cleaned?
Is a permit needed to replace ductwork or an air handler?
More mold services in Lithia Springs
HVAC & Air Duct Mold Removal nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
- EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home
- EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- EPA: Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?
- Georgia Bulletin: Flood of biblical proportion submerges home (2009)
- Angi: Mold Remediation Cost in Atlanta, GA
- Douglas County: Building Permits & Inspections
- Douglas County: Code Enforcement
- Georgia DPH: District Office Directory and Map (pdf)
- Georgia DPH: Indoor Air Quality/Mold
- Lithia Springs, Georgia (Wikipedia)
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