Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Roswell, GA

Why does mildew keep returning in my Roswell basement?

Roswell's southern edge follows the Chattahoochee River, and Vickery Creek and Big Creek run through the city. Homes on sloped lots near these valleys often have basements set into the hill, and below-grade walls stay cooler than the summer air. When humid air meets a cool wall, moisture condenses, and mildew follows. Run a dehumidifier, keep stored boxes off the floor and away from the walls, and check that gutters and downspouts send water well away from the foundation. If you see water lines or efflorescence, the white mineral crust on concrete, water is coming through the wall, not just condensing on it.

What about older homes in the historic district?

Roswell's National Register Historic District includes antebellum homes such as Barrington Hall and Bulloch Hall and many older houses nearby. Older construction tends to have plaster walls, original wood windows and crawl spaces, all places where moisture lingers. Clean hard surfaces gently with detergent and water and dry them, and avoid sealing or painting over growth; the EPA says to remove mold first. In a historic house, ask a company how it will protect original materials before any removal.

I rent. Will the city act on mildew?

Roswell's Code Enforcement Division enforces the property maintenance code and runs a multi-family inspection program, but the city says complaints about conditions inside rental units are usually civil landlord-tenant matters and points tenants to the Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook. Under O.C.G.A. 44-7-13, landlords must keep the premises in repair. Send a written repair request and keep a copy; Georgia does not allow rent withholding. This is general information, not legal advice.

Local note

Roswell is about 20 miles north of Atlanta, and the shaded, wooded lots that make its creek valleys attractive also keep decks, siding and window frames slow to dry after a storm. Check exterior trim near the worst indoor spots, since a soft sill or failed seal can feed mildew on the inside. If cleanup leads to new drywall or framing, the Community Development Building Division handles permits through the Roswell Permitting and Licensing HUB. The Fulton County Board of Health states it does not respond to mold complaints, so take health questions to a health professional and the Georgia DPH mold page.