Mold Testing in Woodstock, GA

Woodstock's creeks and 2009 flooding

Woodstock is a fast-growing Cherokee County city of about 35,000 people, roughly 25 miles north of Atlanta, with a downtown built around the 1912 Woodstock Depot and a greenway trail network. The Little River, Noonday Creek and Kellogg Creek run through the area. In the September 2009 floods, National Weather Service gauges at Woodstock ran well above flood stage on September 21: the Little River crested at 20.80 feet against an 11-foot flood stage, and Noonday Creek at 19.66 feet against 10 feet. Cherokee County was later designated for FEMA Individual Assistance.

Homes that took water then, or in heavy storms since, may have framing, subfloor or finished basement walls that never fully dried. EPA advises assuming mold growth when wet materials weren't dried within 24 to 48 hours. A house near the Noonday Creek Trail or the Little River that was dried with fans and repainted, rather than opened up, is a reasonable candidate for air samples and moisture readings before a sale or a renovation.

Which test answers which question

Signs to look for

• Odor in a finished basement that gets stronger after rain.
• Baseboards that swell or separate from the wall.
• Carpet tack strip that is rusted or dark.
• Recurring condensation on ducts or the air handler.

Timing

Humid months bring growth out, so samples taken in late spring and summer tend to be most informative. Test after the area has dried and the house is in normal use, with windows closed and the HVAC running as usual, so the air samples reflect everyday conditions. The City of Woodstock Building and Safety Division issues permits for rebuilding after removal, and Community Development includes code enforcement for property maintenance concerns and a stormwater and environmental management division. Cherokee County Environmental Health takes mold complaints but does not inspect homes.