Mold Inspection in Lawrenceville, GA

Why water history matters in Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville is the Gwinnett County seat, about 27 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, and much of it drains to the Yellow River. Gwinnett County Stormwater Management reported that the heaviest rain of the September 2009 floods fell near Lawrenceville, with the county's worst flooding in the Yellow River watershed and roughly 19 inches over eight days in parts of it. National Weather Service gauges at Lawrenceville on Pew Creek, Shoal Creek and the Alcovy River all crested above flood stage on September 21, 2009.

A house that took water back then, or in any heavy storm since, may have subfloor or wall framing that never fully dried. Add the region's red clay, which holds water against foundations, and long humid summers, and a crawl space or finished lower level can stay damp for months without anyone noticing.

Inspection or testing?

EPA notes that when mold is visible, sampling is usually unnecessary, and there are no federal limits for spore counts.

Signs that justify a visit

• A stale smell that returns when the HVAC system cycles on.
• Cupping hardwood, loose vinyl or soft spots in the floor over a crawl space.
• Stains on the ceiling under a bathroom or near the attic air handler.
• Condensation on ducts or windows that lingers most of the summer.

Timing and seasons

Late spring and summer are when trouble shows. The air conditioner runs hard, ducts sweat in crawl spaces and attics, and thunderstorms test roof flashing and gutters. Booking an inspection soon after a storm leak, rather than at the end of the season, gives you time to dry things before growth spreads. Renters in the city can reach Lawrenceville Code Enforcement for property maintenance problems; owners planning repairs after an inspection pull permits through the city's Planning and Development office.