Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Rex, GA

Why is mildew showing up in my Rex house every summer?

Rex is an unincorporated community of about 16,600 people in eastern Clayton County, roughly 13 miles from Atlanta, centered on the historic village around Rex Mill. Summers here are long and humid, and homes with crawl spaces, closed-up closets or bathrooms that vent poorly hold onto that moisture. EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity under 60 percent; once a house runs above that for weeks, mildew appears on grout, painted walls, shoes and luggage. Clayton County was also among the counties under a state of emergency in the September 2009 floods, a reminder to dry anything that gets wet within 24 to 48 hours.

What can I clean without help?

Patches under about 10 square feet on tile, glass, sealed wood or painted surfaces are generally a homeowner job, according to EPA. Use detergent and water, wear gloves, goggles and an N-95 respirator, and dry the surface completely. Porous things such as carpet, ceiling tile and stained fabric that still smell after cleaning are often better replaced.

Who handles permits and complaints out here?

Because Rex is unincorporated, Clayton County Community & Economic Development in Jonesboro issues building permits for the Clayton side, which matters if mildew cleanup turns into replacing drywall or subfloor. Rex also spills into Henry County, so confirm the county for your address. Renters on the Clayton side can reach Clayton County Code Enforcement, which says it does not handle mold directly but may address underlying leaks and plumbing problems. Angi's Atlanta cost guide puts most remediation at roughly $12 to $29 per square foot if a professional is needed.

Before anyone starts work, ask what they think the moisture source is and how they will check it is fixed. Georgia has no state mold license, and DPH says there are no enforceable mold standards, so a clear written scope matters more than any badge.

One local note

The Clayton County Board of Health, with an environmental health office in Jonesboro, can answer health questions, while Georgia DPH says indoor mold has no enforceable state or federal standards.