Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Lithonia, GA

Did the 2009 floods affect Lithonia, and does that matter now?

During the September 2009 Atlanta floods, the National Weather Service recorded the Yellow River at Georgia Highway 124 cresting at 27.47 feet against a 15-foot flood stage, and the Lithonia South River gauge cresting at 13.55 feet against a 12-foot stage on September 21. Homes near low ground in the area can carry old water damage in crawl spaces, subfloors and the bottom of walls. If your home was wet then or in a later storm and you see recurring mildew low on walls, it is worth having the structure behind it checked, not just the surface wiped.

What can I safely clean myself?

The EPA says a homeowner can usually handle an area under about 10 square feet. Scrub hard surfaces with detergent and water, dry them completely, and throw out porous items like carpet or ceiling tiles that stay musty. If water got into the house and the space could not be dried within 24 to 48 hours, the EPA advises assuming mold has grown and wearing at least an N-95 respirator during cleanup. Children should not help with flood cleanup, and people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy areas.

Who should I contact in Lithonia?

Lithonia is a small historic granite-quarrying city in eastern DeKalb County, about 16 miles from downtown Atlanta, with its own mayor and a gateway to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. The city lists building permit information under Planning and Zoning; check with the city about rebuild permits before replacing drywall or floors. Renters with an unrepaired leak can contact City of Lithonia Code Enforcement after putting a repair request to the landlord in writing. DeKalb Public Health says its Environmental Health Division handles mold only in permitted facilities such as restaurants and hotels, and provides information for homes.

One local note

Much of Lithonia's housing surrounds the historic Main Street core and the Lithonia Historic District. Older homes there often sit on crawl spaces where damp air collects. Keep crawl space vents and drainage clear, direct downspouts away from the foundation, and keep indoor humidity below 60 percent, as the EPA recommends.