Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Smyrna, GA

Local conditions in Smyrna

Smyrna, the "Jonquil City," is an inner suburb about 11 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta near the I-285 and I-75 interchange, with a redeveloped Market Village city center. Its Piedmont terrain of hills, broad ridges and narrow valleys means many houses sit on slopes, with basements or lower levels dug into the hill on one side. Those below-grade walls stay cool, and when humid summer air reaches them, moisture condenses and mildew follows. Homes on the downhill side of a lot also catch runoff from neighbors during heavy storms, which can wet the soil against the foundation for days. Older ranch homes in established neighborhoods such as Smyrna Heights may sit over crawl spaces instead, where the same humid air settles under the floor and pushes a musty smell up through registers and closets.

DIY or professional

When cleaning yourself, scrub with detergent and water and dry it fully. Do not paint over growth, and throw out porous items that stay musty.

Signs to watch

• White, chalky crust on basement concrete, a sign water is moving through the wall.
• Gray fuzz on the backs of stored furniture in the lower level.
• Musty air when the AC first kicks on.
• Paint peeling on the uphill wall of a finished basement.

Timing and seasonal notes

Mildew peaks from late spring through early fall. Run a dehumidifier in the lower level and keep humidity below 60 percent, the EPA's recommendation. Fix drainage before replacing finishes. If rebuilding follows removal, the City of Smyrna Community Development Department's Building Division takes permit applications through the city's online portal. Renters can report unrepaired leaks to the City of Smyrna Code Enforcement Division by phone, the non-emergency request option or [email protected]. Cobb and Douglas Public Health says tenants with mold from a mechanical or structural failure may also contact the local building inspections department.