Mold Remediation in Palmetto, GA

About Palmetto

Palmetto was incorporated as a town in 1854, back when it was part of Campbell County. Today it sits mostly in Fulton County with a piece in Coweta, roughly 22 miles from downtown Atlanta, and had about 5,070 residents at the 2020 Census. It is mostly urban around Downtown Palmetto, with about 12 percent of residents living in rural areas on the edges of the city.

Is it mold, and how bad?

Mold shows up as fuzzy or blotchy growth in green, black, white or gray, often with a musty smell. Color doesn't tell you how risky it is. What matters is how big the area is and whether the moisture is still there. EPA's guidance gives a useful dividing line:

• Less than about 10 square feet: usually a homeowner job. Fix the leak, scrub hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
• More than 10 square feet, or lots of water damage: hire a company that seals off the area and removes damaged material.
• Carpet, ceiling tiles, insulation: if moldy, they often have to go.

Wear gloves, goggles and an N-95 respirator for any cleanup. EPA says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs, and people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy areas.

Why Georgia houses stay damp

The metro's climate brings hot, humid summers and mild, wet winters, so air conditioners work hard and their drain lines matter. Red clay drains slowly, and heavy thunderstorms can push water against foundations and into crawl spaces. Keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, as EPA recommends, and drying wet areas within 24 to 48 hours prevents most growth.

Renting and hiring

Renters in Georgia have a landlord who must keep the premises in repair under O.C.G.A. 44-7-13. Georgia Legal Aid advises written repair requests, with copies kept, and warns that Georgia does not permit rent withholding. The Fulton County Board of Health says it does not respond to mold complaints, so for code questions ask Palmetto City Hall which office handles housing complaints.

For building permits on rebuild work, check with the city before walls go back up, and ask the company to say in writing which parts of the job it will do and which it will leave to another contractor. When hiring, remember Georgia has no state mold license; for jobs that include rebuilding, ask whether the company holds a Georgia residential or general contractor license and check it on GOALS Verify Now. Angi's Atlanta cost guide reports most remediation jobs at $1,249 to $4,363.