Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Lithia Springs, GA

Lithia Springs and moisture

Lithia Springs is an unincorporated community of about 16,600 people in northeastern Douglas County, roughly 16 miles west of Atlanta, named for its historic mineral springs. Sweetwater Creek, the Chattahoochee River and George Sparks Reservoir are close by. In 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.

What to do now

1. Find the source. In a lower level, check for water along the base of walls after rain.
2. Bring humidity down with a dehumidifier or AC; EPA's target is under 60 percent.
3. Wear gloves, eye protection and an N-95 respirator.
4. Clean hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry them.
5. Remove carpet, pad or cardboard that stays musty after drying.
6. If the room has ever flooded, ask a professional to check inside walls before refinishing.

If your lower level took on water at any point, check behind finished walls before deciding mildew on the surface is the whole story. Gypsum board that was wet for days can grow on the back side even when the front looks clean.

If your lower level took on water at any point, check behind finished walls before deciding mildew on the surface is the whole story. Gypsum board that was wet for days can grow on the back side even when the front looks clean.

Signs and their usual causes

Cost factors

Angi's Atlanta cost guide reports bathroom mold work at about $587 to $1,174 and basement work at about $587 to $3,522. Size, the amount of drywall and flooring removed, containment and access all affect the bid. Because Lithia Springs is unincorporated, any repair permits go through Douglas County Building Permits & Inspections, and Douglas County Code Enforcement enforces the property maintenance code for renters dealing with unrepaired leaks.

If you are buying or renting a home near the creek, ask about any past water damage and look closely at lower-level walls and floors. Cobb & Douglas Public Health can answer health questions.

If you are buying or renting a home near the creek, ask about any past water damage and look closely at lower-level walls and floors. Cobb & Douglas Public Health can answer health questions.