Mildew and Mold After Storm Water in Snellville, GA

How soon does mold start after a storm in a humid climate?

Mold can begin to grow on wet materials within a few days, and the warm, humid air of a Georgia summer makes that faster. Drying is the defense, because it removes the moisture growth needs.

Paper, cardboard, wood, carpet pad and the paper face of drywall feed mold most readily. Concrete and masonry do not feed it, but the dust and the finish on them can, and a wall above them can hold moisture long enough to support growth. The outdoor humidity matters as much as the water, because damp air keeps materials wet after the water has gone.

A visible patch is the end of a process rather than the start. By the time it shows, the material has usually been wet for some time, and the question is whether it was dried in time.

Do I need a test before the work starts?

Testing is not always needed. Visible growth on material that will be removed does not usually need a test, and a test is most useful when the owner wants to know what is in a wall that is staying.

A test answers a specific question about what is in the air or on one surface, and how that compares with a reference. It does not tell the owner the whole story, and a clean result does not mean the material is dry. The readings are the more reliable guide for most decisions after a storm.

If a test is wanted, ask who takes the sample, who analyzes it and what paperwork covers that work. Ask for the results in writing and keep them with the drying record.

What does Georgia require for mold work?

This site does not name a license or registration for mold work in Georgia, and it does not claim one for this business. The question to ask is what the company and the person doing the work hold for that job.

Requirements for mold assessment and removal change, and they should be checked with the state and the local building department rather than taken from a website. The local building department in Gwinnett County or the City of Snellville can say whether a permit applies to a removal or to the repair that follows.

A company that cannot say what covers its mold work should be asked to put that in writing before the work begins. That is a reasonable request on any job, and it protects the owner if the question comes up later.

What is done in the house while growth is removed?

The affected room is closed off, the air is kept from the rest of the house where practical, and people who are sensitive to mold are kept out of the work zone.

Removing mold releases spores into the air, so the room is sealed with plastic sheeting and kept at a lower air pressure where that is practical. Dust is wetted rather than swept, and porous material is bagged before it leaves the room.

People with asthma, allergies or a weak immune system should not be in the house during the removal, and anyone who develops symptoms should talk to a doctor. The record notes the date of the removal and the areas it covered.

How do I keep growth from returning in a humid month?

Keep the room ventilated, run a dehumidifier when the humidity is high, and check the lower walls and the corners after each storm. A room that stays below the humidity level the outdoor air brings in is a room where growth finds it hard to start.

Keep a short log of the humidity and of any new musty smell. A pattern in the log points to the room that needs attention before a growth becomes visible.