Mold in Walls & Drywall in Scottdale, GA

Mold in a Scottdale wall means water has been getting behind the drywall, from a plumbing leak, a roof or window, or damp ground near the foundation. Fixing it means stopping that water, removing moldy board and insulation, drying the framing and rebuilding under DeKalb County rules. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Scottdale.

Who issues a permit for the rebuild in Scottdale?

Scottdale is an unincorporated community in DeKalb County, about 8 miles east of downtown Atlanta, between Decatur and I-285. Because it has no city government, building permits come from the DeKalb County Permits, Plan Review and Inspections Division at 178 Sams Street in Decatur, 404-371-2155, option 3. That office handles residential renovations in unincorporated DeKalb. Whether replacing drywall after mold removal needs a permit depends on the scope, so ask the contractor or the county before walls close up. Larger jobs that touch framing, plumbing or wiring are more likely to need one.

I rent. Who can I call about a leak the landlord will not fix?

First, notify the landlord in writing and keep a copy, as Georgia Legal Aid advises. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 44-7-13) requires landlords to keep the premises in repair, and tenants cannot withhold rent in Georgia. If the leak continues, DeKalb County Code Compliance takes complaints at 404-687-3700, by email at codeenforce@dekalbcountyga.gov or through its online violation portal. Unincorporated DeKalb also requires owners of multifamily rentals to file an apartment complex registration certificate based on a county-authorized third-party inspection of interior code compliance. This is general information, not legal advice.

Why do older Scottdale homes get mold in the walls?

Scottdale grew as a cotton-mill village around the Scottdale Cotton Mill, which included worker housing. Older homes like that have usually had their plumbing, roofing and windows replaced in pieces over the years, and each repair leaves a joint or gap where water can get in. Newer homes are not immune: a supply line behind a vanity or a misrouted AC drain can soak a wall in any house. Across metro Atlanta, slow-draining red clay and humid summers keep water near foundations and slow drying inside wall cavities.

Call now to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Scottdale.

(404) 383-3657

Bubbling paint and stains on an interior wall, mold in walls & drywall in Scottdale, GA

A local note

DeKalb Public Health says its Environmental Health Division handles indoor mold only in permitted facilities such as restaurants and hotels, and offers information for homes. For health questions, Georgia DPH's mold page and a health professional are good places to start. EPA notes that mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs, so keep sensitive family members away from the work area.

Mold in Walls & Drywall questions in Scottdale

Do I need a permit to replace drywall after mold removal?

Scottdale is unincorporated, so DeKalb County's Permits, Plan Review and Inspections Division decides. Ask the county or your contractor before the rebuild.

My landlord ignores a leak behind the wall. What can I do?

Give written notice and keep a copy. If it is not fixed, DeKalb County Code Compliance takes complaints at 404-687-3700. This is general information, not legal advice.

Can I remove a small patch of moldy drywall myself?

EPA says homeowners can usually handle less than about 10 square feet. Wear an N-95 respirator, gloves and goggles, and fix the water source first.

Why does mold keep coming back on the same wall?

The moisture source was not fixed, or the cavity was closed before it dried. Ask the company to confirm dry readings before new drywall goes up.