Mold Remediation in Winston, GA

A former town along I-20

Winston is a small unincorporated community in southwestern Douglas County, strung along Interstate 20 about 27 miles west of downtown Atlanta in a straight line. It used to be a chartered town; the charter was repealed in 1995. Post Road, Ephesus Church Road and Bankhead Highway are the local roads people know, along with Post Road Park and the Clinton Nature Preserve.

With no city government, Douglas County handles building permits, inspections and code enforcement for Winston addresses.

Where moisture comes from

Douglas County took an estimated 20 to 23 inches of rain on September 20 and 21, 2009, with washed-out bridges and damaged homes across the county. That's the outlier. Routine causes are more common:

1. A crawl space where humid summer air condenses on ducts and joists.
2. An attic where an AC condensate line clogged or a roof boot started leaking.
3. A wall cavity behind a shower, sink or washer with a slow drip.
4. A foundation wall where red clay keeps rainwater pressed against it.

EPA says to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. If a patch of growth is under about 10 square feet and the water problem is fixed, EPA says most people can handle it themselves. Bigger areas are a job for a professional. If you suspect the HVAC system has mold, don't run it until someone checks it.

Douglas County contacts

Permits: Douglas County Building Permits & Inspections, on Timber Ridge Drive in Douglasville, handles permitting for unincorporated Winston. Ask whether rebuilding after mold removal needs a permit.

Code enforcement: Douglas County Code Enforcement in Development Services applies the International Property Maintenance Code in unincorporated areas. That's where a renter can turn when a landlord leaves a leak unrepaired.

Public health: Cobb & Douglas Public Health covers the county. EPA says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs, and that people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy areas. A health professional should handle health questions.

Tenant basics

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 44-7-13) requires landlords to keep the premises in repair. Georgia Legal Aid says to make repair requests in writing and keep copies. Tenants can't withhold rent in Georgia, and repair-and-deduct should only be tried with the cautions Legal Aid describes. This is general information, not legal advice.

Making the call

Georgia has no state mold license, so ask how the company plans to contain dust, what will be removed and how they'll prove the area is dry. If they'll rebuild, check for a Georgia residential or general contractor license on GOALS Verify Now. The number on this page connects you with an independent local company that covers Winston.