Crawl Space Mold Removal in Norcross, GA

Under the floor in Norcross

Norcross is a Gwinnett County city of about 17,200 residents, roughly 17 miles from Atlanta, bounded on the south by Interstate 85. Beaver Ruin Creek runs through town, and during the September 2009 floods the NWS gauge on Crooked Creek at Norcross rose above flood stage on September 21. Creek-side lots and low streets hold groundwater longer, which keeps the clay under a crawl space damp.

Most mold under Norcross houses comes from something less dramatic than a flood: vents pulling in summer humidity, a vapor barrier that has slipped or torn, a bathroom drain leaking slowly onto the dirt, or an air handler whose condensate line empties under the house.

Handle it yourself or call a company?

EPA uses that 10 square foot line as its rough guide for homeowner cleanup.

Clues worth checking

• A stale, earthy smell that is strongest in the morning or when the AC cycles
• Floors that bounce or squeak more than they used to
• Gray or black spotting on the underside of the subfloor
• Rust on nails, pipe straps and HVAC hangers
• Higher indoor humidity than you expect on summer evenings

When problems peak

Expect the worst readings in July and August, when muggy air and cold ducts produce the most condensation. Wet winters keep clay soils soaked, so spring is the other time to look. A quick check from the access door twice a year, once in late summer and once after the winter rains, catches most problems while they are still small. If cleanup turns into replacing joists or subfloor, permits run through the City of Norcross Community Development building official, whose staff review plans, issue permits and do inspections. Georgia defines a residential contractor by work over $2,500, so ask about a Georgia residential or general contractor license and look it up on GOALS Verify Now.