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660 Hillcrest Rd, Lilburn, GA 30047

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660 Hillcrest Rd, Lilburn, GA 30047

Dark spots and musty smells after a leak

Mold After Water Damage in Lilburn, GA

Is there a musty smell, or dark spots on a baseboard where a leak once ran? Mold after water damage in Lilburn, GA grows wherever things stay damp, so the water source comes first. Describe what you see and call (678) 835-3780.

Call (678) 835-3780
Respirator-wearing technician scraping dark spots off a cut-open wall stud

Step back and get help if

  • A wet outlet, switch or appliance in or near the damp area: stay out of the room, and dial 911 if anything sparks or smells burnt.

  • Large growth, or water that came from a sewer: children and pets stay out, and the cleanup goes to a contractor.

  • Dark or green growth on a wall: keep children and anyone with allergies away, and wear a respirator for any time spent in the room.

  • A gas water heater or furnace in the damp area and gas in the air: go outside before phoning anyone. 911 works from there, and so does Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321.

Local numbers and facts

  • A UGA Extension housing specialist, quoted in the university's field report on heavy rain and leaky pipes, calls for finding the moisture source first and says expensive mold tests are not really needed. Blackish or greenish staining where water has been, or a musty smell, means mold is very likely. For cleanup it names a respirator, long sleeves and gloves.

  • The EPA treats a moldy patch smaller than about 3 feet by 3 feet as usually a household job. Beyond that, or after heavy water damage, it refers readers to a longer guide. For a contractor it asks for mold experience and checked references.

  • UGA Extension's checklist adds some habits that cut indoor moisture: kitchen and bathroom fans vented outside, a dryer vent that exits the house, a pan beneath the water heater, and heating and cooling service twice a year.

What decides how much needs doing

There is no price on this page. The scope follows the area covered, whether the surface is porous like carpet or ceiling tile, whether drywall has to come out, and whether the water source is stopped. Sewage in the mix changes the plan. Photos with a ruler or coin beside the spot help the first call.

What people ask before they call

How serious is mold, from 1 to 10?

Eight to ten: a wet outlet or appliance sits in the damp area, or the water was sewage. Stay out, and dial 911 for shock or gas. Four to seven: dark growth is spreading or the smell is strong, so call (678) 835-3780. One to three: a small spot on a baseboard, which you can photograph while you hunt for the damp source.

Does a wet wall mean getting a mold test?

UGA Extension's checklist calls a mold test generally unnecessary, and its field report agrees that expensive tests are not worth it. What matters is finding and stopping the moisture, then cleaning what is stained.

How long can a damp area stay damp?

UGA Extension's checklist sets 24 to 48 hours to dry an area showing moisture once the source is found. The EPA's line is that mold damages what it grows on, and the longer it grows, the more damage it can cause.

Can I paint or caulk over mold?

No. The EPA says paint and caulk do not belong on moldy surfaces. Clean the mold off and dry the surface first, as paint over mold is likely to peel. Absorbent materials, ceiling tiles and carpet among them, can be a total loss.

How much can I clean myself?

By the EPA's rule of thumb, a patch smaller than 3 feet by 3 feet is usually a household job. With more growth, or after heavy water damage, the EPA refers readers to a longer guide, and for sewage water it says to call a professional.

Is mold work offered in Tucker and Snellville too?

Yes. Lilburn is covered along with water damage in Tucker and water damage in Snellville. Describe the spot, how big it is and where the water came from, then call (678) 835-3780.

From a dark spot to a plan

  1. 1

    Photograph the spot and write the date on it.

  2. 2

    Find the water source and stop it.

  3. 3

    Close off the room and keep children out.

  4. 4

    Wear a respirator for any time in there.

  5. 5

    Call (678) 835-3780 with the size of the area and what is wet.

Humid months

Summer air in Georgia holds a lot of moisture. The Atlanta airport normals count 9.9 days at 90 F or higher in June, 16.4 in July and 13.7 in August. UGA Extension's checklist suggests weighing a dehumidifier once an indoor reading tops 50 percent. Those counts are from the airport, not from Lilburn.

Hiring for mold work

The EPA asks for a contractor with mold experience and references that check out. The state's contractor facts and the three city offices are on choosing a contractor.

Keep the address, the wet room and the flooring type handy, then call (678) 835-3780. For a rental, contact the landlord or property manager first.

Call (678) 835-3780

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Checked 1 Nov 2026

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