Mold Inspection in Duluth, GA

Step by step

1. Talk-through. Leaks, smells, past repairs, and when the problem is worst.
2. Outside. Gutters, downspouts, grading, siding and the roof line.
3. Attic and HVAC. Decking, bath fan ducts, the air handler and its condensate drain.
4. Room by room. Moisture readings at baseboards, windows, tubs, sinks and appliances.
5. Below the floor. Crawl space or basement framing, ducts and insulation, or slab edges.
6. Report. Photos, readings, causes and a recommended scope.

Duluth specifics

Duluth is a Gwinnett County city about 23 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, with City Hall on Main Street. Like the rest of metro Atlanta, it deals with humid summers, long AC seasons and red clay that drains slowly after storms, so attic air handlers, bathrooms that vent poorly and foundations on sloped lots are common sources of trouble.

Duluth is notable for its Multifamily Housing Inspection Program, approved in 2018. Owners of four or more rental units must provide a code compliance certificate, and the city keeps inspecting a share of units each year. Duluth Code Compliance enforces the city's Property Maintenance Ordinance, Zoning Ordinance and building codes, and takes reports through its online portal or by email. For renters, the steps are to notify the landlord in writing, keep copies, and report unrepaired leaks to Code Compliance. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 44-7-13) requires landlords to keep premises in repair. This is general information, not legal advice.

GNR Health, the health department for Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale counties, lists complaint categories such as restaurants, pools and hotels; residential rentals and mold are not among them. That leaves private inspectors as the practical way for both owners and tenants to get a clear, written picture of what is happening inside a unit or house, and a report like that is easier to act on than a description over the phone.

Cost

Permits and hiring

Most construction work in Duluth requires a permit from the Planning and Development Department, so plan for one if mold removal leads to new drywall or framing. Georgia has no state mold license or certification. Ask about voluntary training and consider an inspector who does not also do the cleanup; Angi recommends separate companies.