Resources

Finding mold while preparing to sell your home can create an immediate concern: Is this going to stop the sale? Not necessarily. Mold issues vary significantly. A small localized problem related to a corrected leak is very different from extensive contamination caused by ongoing water intrusion. The practical goal is to understand the problem, correct the moisture source, determine whether remediation is needed, and document what was done. If you are already under contract, coordinate decisions with your real estate agent and, where appropriate, your attorney or other transaction professionals. What Happens If a Home Inspector Finds Mold? Home inspectors may identify: Visible mold-like growth Water staining Elevated moisture Musty odors Evidence of roof or plumbing leaks Crawl-space moisture Attic

Attic mold can be easy to miss because most homeowners do not spend much time looking at the underside of their roof deck. It may first be discovered during a home inspection, roof repair, HVAC visit, insulation project, or real estate transaction. If you see suspicious staining on roof sheathing, rafters, trusses, or insulation, the first question should not be how quickly you can cover it. The first question should be: Where is the moisture coming from? What Causes Mold in an Attic? Attic mold is usually connected to excess moisture. Potential sources include: Roof leaks Condensation Inadequate attic ventilation Bathroom exhaust fans venting into the attic Dryer exhaust problems HVAC moisture Air leakage from the living space Previous water

Once you know your home needs mold remediation, two practical questions usually come next: How long will this take? And: Can I stay in my house while the work is happening? There is no single timeline that fits every property. A localized remediation project can be considerably different from a project involving several rooms, an attic, crawl space, or whole-house contamination. The safest answer is based on the actual scope of work. How Long Does Mold Remediation Usually Take? Several factors determine the timeline: Size of the contaminated area Number of rooms affected Materials that need to be removed Accessibility Required containment Water or moisture repairs Drying requirements Contents that need to be moved or cleaned Whether post-remediation testing will

Two mold remediation estimates can have very different prices while describing two very different jobs. That is why the total at the bottom of the proposal should not be the only thing you compare. A useful mold remediation estimate should tell you what the contractor believes needs to be done, which areas are included, how contamination will be contained, what materials may be removed, and what happens after the work is complete. If you are comparing companies in Metro Atlanta, use the estimate to compare scope against scope, not simply price against price. What Should Be Included in a Mold Remediation Estimate? Depending on the project, a written scope may address: The affected rooms or areas Containment Negative air pressure

A burst pipe, overflowing appliance, roof leak, or flooded basement can leave you with two problems instead of one: water damage now and mold growth later. If part of your Atlanta-area home gets wet, the priority is not simply removing the standing water. You also need to dry building materials thoroughly and correct the source of the moisture. The EPA recommends drying wet or damp materials within 24 to 48 hours whenever possible. That is why quick action after water damage matters so much. If your home has recently flooded or you have discovered a significant leak, emergency water damage cleanup can help address moisture before the problem becomes more extensive. How Quickly Can Mold Become a Problem After Water

I’m Jeremy Shelton, owner of MoldStar Remediation in Marietta, GA. I’ve been inspecting and remediating mold in Metro Atlanta homes since 2009, and one thing I can tell you with certainty is this: most homeowners who have mold in their house have no idea it’s there. That’s not a knock on anyone. Mold is sneaky. It grows behind walls, under flooring, and inside air ducts where you’ll never see it unless you know what to look for. And living in Georgia, where humidity regularly tops 80% from May through September, the conditions are practically tailor-made for mold growth. Over the years, I’ve walked into hundreds of homes where the family thought they just had allergies, or that a musty smell

Author: Jeremy Shelton, IICRC Certified Microbial Remediation Technician, ACAC Certified Microbial Consultant Published: April 2026 If I had to name the single most common question homeowners ask me during inspections, it would be this: “Is this mold or mildew?” I hear it almost every day. A homeowner spots something growing on their bathroom ceiling, under the kitchen sink, or along a basement wall. They pull out their phone, search “mold vs mildew,” and try to figure out whether they are dealing with a minor annoyance or a serious problem. I completely understand. Both are fungi. Both grow in damp spaces. And at first glance, they can look similar. But the difference between mold and mildew is not just academic. It

By Jeremy Shelton, IICRC Certified | MoldStar Remediation, Marietta, GA One of the first questions I hear from homeowners is simple: “How much is this going to cost me?” After running MoldStar Remediation since 2009 and completing thousands of projects across Metro Atlanta, I can tell you that the answer depends on several factors. But I also know that most people searching for mold remediation cost just want a straight answer before they pick up the phone. So here it is. In this guide, I am going to give you the real numbers we see in Cobb, Fulton, and DeKalb counties. No inflated scare tactics, no lowball bait pricing. Just honest ranges based on what we actually charge and what

I’m Jeremy Shelton, an IICRC Certified Microbial Remediation Technician and ACAC Certified Microbial Consultant. I run MoldStar Remediation in Marietta, GA, and over the years I have helped hundreds of Metro Atlanta homeowners deal with mold problems that started with one simple step: a professional mold inspection. A mold inspection is the single most important thing you can do if you suspect mold in your home. It tells you whether mold is present, what species you are dealing with, how widespread the contamination is, and what needs to happen next. Without it, you are guessing. And guessing with mold can mean spending thousands on unnecessary remediation or, worse, ignoring a problem that is quietly destroying your home and affecting your

One of the most common questions I hear from homeowners in Metro Atlanta is: “Does homeowners insurance cover mold?” After more than 17 years of running MoldStar Remediation, I can tell you the answer is never as simple as yes or no. It depends on what caused the mold, how your policy is written, and how quickly you responded to the problem. I am Jeremy Shelton, IICRC Certified Microbial Remediation Technician and owner of MoldStar Remediation in Marietta, Georgia. I have worked alongside hundreds of homeowners navigating mold insurance claims, and I have seen the full range of outcomes. Some families get their entire remediation covered. Others get denied on day one. This guide breaks down when insurance typically covers