Basement Mold Removal in Union City, GA

Union City at a glance

Union City, incorporated in 1908 and nicknamed "The Progressive City," sits about 12 miles southwest of downtown Atlanta in south Fulton County. In a fully urban city, hard surfaces like roofs, driveways and parking areas send a lot of water toward the ground right around a house. Add red clay that drains slowly and long, humid summers, and a basement or lower level can stay damp for much of the year. Plumbing is the other common culprit: water heaters, washers and supply lines often sit in the lowest part of the house, and a slow drip there can soak a slab for months.

What to do now

1. Look for the water. Check the base of walls after rain, around the water heater and under sinks and laundry hookups.
2. Dry the space. EPA says to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. Use fans and a dehumidifier and aim for humidity below 60 percent.
3. Size it up. EPA says a homeowner can usually handle less than about 10 square feet. Larger areas or growth behind walls call for a professional.
4. Protect yourself. Use gloves, goggles and an N-95 respirator if you clean a small patch, and keep people with asthma or weakened immune systems away.
5. Skip the paint. EPA says not to paint or caulk over mold.
6. Write it down. Note when you first saw the problem and take photos before anything is removed.

Signs and what they usually point to

Cost factors

Angi's Atlanta cost guide puts basement mold remediation at $587 to $3,522, at about $12 to $29 per square foot. Drywall replacement ($1,174 to $3,405) and carpet ($910 to $3,052) are listed separately. The area, how much finish has to come out, containment needs and any drainage work all move the total. If the rebuild needs a permit, the Union City Community Development Building Permits Division handles construction permits and inspections.