Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Ellenwood, GA

Local conditions in Ellenwood

Ellenwood is an unincorporated community about 11 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta along I-675 and State Route 42, first settled around 1830. It spans parts of DeKalb, Clayton, Henry and Rockdale counties, so there is no city government: the county your address falls in handles building permits and code complaints. Many homes here are suburban houses on crawl spaces or slabs, surrounded by the slow-draining red clay common across the southern metro. After summer downpours the ground stays wet, crawl spaces stay humid and that moisture climbs into floors, closets and bathrooms. Homes with the air handler in the crawl space or garage can also pull damp air into the duct system, which spreads a musty smell through every room.

Clean it yourself or bring in a company

Signs to watch for

• A damp, earthy smell near floor vents or the crawl space door.
• Gray film coming back on bathroom ceilings soon after cleaning.
• Spots on furniture backs or boxes stored against outside walls.
• Warped vinyl or soft flooring near the tub or washer.

The EPA recommends drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours and keeping humidity below 60 percent. Do not paint over growth; remove it first.

Timing and which office to call

Mildew peaks from late spring through early fall. For rebuild permits on the DeKalb side, the county's Permits, Plan Review and Inspections Division at 178 Sams Street in Decatur (404-371-2155, option 3) covers unincorporated DeKalb; Ellenwood addresses in Clayton, Henry or Rockdale go to that county instead. On the DeKalb side, DeKalb County Code Compliance (404-687-3700) takes violation reports, and multifamily rental owners must register with a third-party interior inspection. DeKalb Public Health says it addresses mold only in permitted facilities such as restaurants and hotels, and offers information for homes.