HVAC & Air Duct Mold Removal in Cumming, GA

Why is there mold in my Cumming home's HVAC system?

Cumming is the Forsyth County seat and the county's only incorporated city, about 35 miles north of Atlanta along Georgia 400 near Lake Lanier. It grew from a rural town into a commuter suburb, and homes from the blocks around Tolbert Street out toward Bethelview Road rely on central air for much of the year, often with the air handler in the attic or ducts in a crawl space. The coil condenses water from humid indoor air for months; if the pan does not drain, the line clogs or ducts sweat in damp air, mold grows on the coil, in the pan or in the duct insulation.

Does lake living or flooding play a role?

Living near the lake does not by itself cause duct mold, but humid air does raise the load on the AC. Flooding has touched Cumming too: in September 2009, NWS listed the Big Creek gauge at Cumming slightly above flood stage, cresting at 10.43 feet against a 10-foot stage on September 22. A home where water reached the crawl space or unit should have ducts and equipment checked; EPA's post-disaster guide says to assume mold when items stayed wet longer than 24 to 48 hours.

What gets cleaned and what gets replaced?

EPA's duct guidance says cleaning may be worth considering when hard sheet metal ducts have substantial visible mold. For fiberglass duct board and fiberglass-lined ducts, EPA says wet or moldy material cannot be effectively cleaned and should be replaced. The coil and pan are cleaned and the drain repaired, sometimes with an HVAC technician involved. Expect the bid to explain the moisture cause in plain terms, list each part by name and say whether any coating or chemical will be used and why. If a company recommends treating every duct the same way without looking inside, get a second opinion.

A local note

The City of Cumming Planning & Zoning Department issues construction permits and performs building inspections, with a chief building official on staff, and its Code Enforcement Officer can be reached at 770-781-2024. For health questions, Forsyth County Health Department environmental health is at 2435 Freedom Parkway in Cumming. Angi's Atlanta cost guide lists HVAC system mold remediation at $3,522 to $11,740.