Black Mold Removal in Norcross, GA

Local conditions in Norcross

Norcross is a Gwinnett County city of about 17,200 people, around 17 miles from Atlanta, bounded on the south by Interstate 85. Beaver Ruin Creek runs through the area, and in the September 2009 floods the NWS gauge on Crooked Creek at Norcross crested above flood stage on September 21. Creek flooding is one route for water; the far more common ones are household leaks, overflowing AC drain pans and bathrooms without enough ventilation. Apartment and townhome residents also deal with water from a unit above, which can stain a ceiling and feed dark growth on the back of the drywall before anyone notices.

Surface cleaning versus removal

Signs to watch for

• Ceiling stains that darken around the edges over several weeks
• Black speckles on the caulk line of a tub that come back days after cleaning
• Odor from a closet that shares a wall with a bathroom
• Warped laminate near the dishwasher or refrigerator line

Timing it right

Do not wait for cooler weather. Dark mold grows quickly in the warm months, and EPA says water-damaged materials should be dried within 24 to 48 hours. Once the growth is out, give the opened area time to dry and get a moisture check before new drywall goes up. For rebuilding inside the city, the Norcross Community Development building official reviews plans, issues permits and performs inspections. Ask the company whether it holds a Georgia residential or general contractor license for that part of the work, since Georgia does not license mold removal itself.

Budget-wise, Angi's Atlanta cost guide reports a typical range of $1,249 to $4,363 and a common rate of $12 to $29 per square foot. A single stained ceiling section sits near the bottom of that range; a wall cavity opened floor to ceiling, with containment and new drywall, sits near the top or above it, so schedule the work before a small leak becomes that larger job.