Mold in Walls & Drywall in Powder Springs, GA

How bad was flooding here, and does it still matter?

Powder Springs is a small west Cobb city about 19 miles from downtown Atlanta, named for seven mineral springs within the city limits. It sits in the Sweetwater Creek basin, with Powder Springs Creek and Noses Creek also running through the area. In the September 2009 floods, three National Weather Service gauges listed at Powder Springs went well above flood stage: Powder Springs Creek crested at 19.82 feet against a 12-foot flood stage, Noses Creek at 23.20 feet against 11 feet, and Sweetwater Creek at 31.45 feet against 13 feet. NWS says the Sweetwater Creek basin rose to the 500-year flood level, and USGS reports flood magnitudes on Powder Springs Creek greatly exceeded the estimated 500-year flood.

It still matters because walls that were wet then and closed up too soon can hold old growth. If a lower-level room has a persistent musty smell, have the walls checked with a moisture meter and, if needed, a small inspection cut.

What if my walls get wet in the next big storm?

Act fast. EPA's flood guidance says that if a home could not be dried within 24 to 48 hours, you should assume mold has grown. The usual approach is to remove drywall well above the water line, take out wet insulation, clean and dry the studs, confirm they are dry with a meter and then rebuild. EPA says children should not take part in flood cleanup, and people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy areas.

Who do I talk to about permits and code problems?

For the rebuild, Powder Springs asks that a permit application and construction drawings go to the city's Community Development Department. Code violations inside city limits go to the Quality of Life Division. Renters should give the landlord written notice of leaks first; Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 44-7-13) requires landlords to keep the premises in repair. This is general information, not legal advice.

A local note

Cobb and Douglas Public Health publishes mold guidance for residents and is a good resource for health questions. Georgia has no state mold license, so compare written scopes from more than one company before you choose.