Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Hiram, GA

What Hiram homes are up against

Hiram is a small Paulding County city of about 4,900 people, roughly 23 miles northwest of Atlanta, that has grown rapidly since 2000 around the US 278 and State Route 92 retail corridor. Newer homes are built tighter, which saves energy but can trap shower steam and cooking moisture if bath and kitchen fans are not used. Older homes may have less insulation and more condensation on windows. Either way, humid Georgia summers do the rest.

Surface mildew or something deeper

If the stain does not lift and the drywall feels soft, the paper facing is usually colonized and the piece should be cut out after the moisture source is fixed. Painting over it only hides the growth, which EPA warns against.

If the stain does not lift and the drywall feels soft, the paper facing is usually colonized and the piece should be cut out after the moisture source is fixed. Painting over it only hides the growth, which EPA warns against.

Warning signs

• Ceiling spots that line up with a bath fan duct or roof valley
• Growth on drywall behind the washing machine
• Gaps or black lines in caulk around the tub
• Mildew on the underside of windowsills

When it peaks

Expect the most growth in late summer, after months of humid weather, and in closed rooms during long rainy stretches. EPA's guidance is to keep indoor humidity below 60 percent and to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. Renters dealing with an absentee landlord can contact City of Hiram Code Enforcement, which handles blight and property nuisances, including properties not maintained by absentee landlords. Northwest Georgia Public Health serves Paulding County for health questions.

Before calling a company, write down what you have tried, when the growth returns and whether it is worse after rain or after hot, humid stretches. That history helps a company decide whether the source is steam, condensation or a leak, and can shorten the visit.

Before calling a company, write down what you have tried, when the growth returns and whether it is worse after rain or after hot, humid stretches. That history helps a company decide whether the source is steam, condensation or a leak, and can shorten the visit.