Painting in Georgia
Interior and exterior painting with surface preparation, moisture checks and a written scope before the first coat. Pre-1978 buildings fall under a federal lead rule, explained below.
Paint is the last layer of a project and the first thing anyone sees. Jermaine Enterprises, a general contractor based on Greenbriar Parkway SW in Atlanta, paints interiors and exteriors for homeowners, small commercial tenants and property managers, and can be scoped together with drywall and framing so the surface and the finish are planned as one job.
Paint holds best on a sound, dry, clean surface, so preparation is scoped line by line: scraping, filling, sanding, cleaning and priming. In Georgia the climate adds a second task: controlling moisture so the new coat stays clean and bonded.
Preparation decides how long paint lasts
Before paint goes on, loose material is removed, cracks and holes are filled, glossy surfaces are scuffed or primed and the surface is cleaned. Paint over drywall depends on the finish level of the wall. Under GA-214, Level 4 suits flat paints and light textures, while Level 5 is typically specified for sheen paints, dark deep-tone colors and walls with strong side lighting, because it reduces joint photographing. Deciding the sheen and color first lets the finishing crew set the right level.
Moisture comes before everything. EPA states that the key to mold control is moisture control and advises not to paint or caulk moldy surfaces, because paint applied over mold is likely to peel. The mold is cleaned up, the source of the moisture is fixed and the surface dries before painting begins.
Georgia humidity and mildew
The National Weather Service describes summers in north and central Georgia as long spells of warm, humid weather, with measurable rain on about 120 days a year and annual totals averaging 50 to 55 inches across north Georgia outside the mountains. The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences notes that mildew typically begins growing when relative humidity stays at 60 percent and the temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and that it can return whenever dampness approaches 60 percent relative humidity again.
For an exterior job that means attention to where water sits and how fast surfaces dry. Cleaning the surface and fixing the water source come before the coating.
The federal lead rule for older homes
Homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 can contain lead paint. EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule requires that anyone paid to disturb painted surfaces in those buildings be a certified firm and that the work be done by certified renovators or workers trained by one, using lead-safe work practices. EPA lists general contractors and special trade contractors such as painters, carpenters and plumbers among the firms the rule covers, and it says firms cannot advertise or perform covered renovation work without certification.
Small jobs have limits. Minor repair and maintenance that disturbs 6 square feet or less of paint per room inside, or 20 square feet or less on the exterior, is not covered, while window replacement and demolition of painted surfaces are always covered. If your house was built before 1978, say so when you ask for a quote.
Fumes, ventilation and product choice
Paints, varnishes and wax contain organic solvents that release volatile organic compounds, and EPA notes that elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after painting is done. EPA advises maximum ventilation during painting, following the label precautions and disposing of leftover paint safely. The federal rule in 40 CFR Part 59 Subpart D limits the VOC content of architectural coatings and applies to the makers and importers of the paint, so check the product label for VOC content.
Terms you will hear on this job
- EPA RRP rule
- lead-safe work practices
- certified renovator
- pre-1978 housing
- child-occupied facility
- VOC (volatile organic compounds)
- architectural coatings
- mildew and relative humidity
- sheen level (flat, satin, gloss)
- joint photographing
- Level 5 finish before paint
- surface preparation and moisture
How a job like this runs
Tell us what is being painted
Rooms or exterior walls, the age of the building and the sheen and color you have in mind.
Scope and price in writing
Preparation, number of coats and repairs are written into the scope. For a pre-1978 building, confirm a firm's EPA RRP certification on EPA's certified-firm lookup before you sign.
Prepare and paint
Surfaces are cleaned, repaired and primed as needed, then coated in the agreed order with the space ventilated.
Check and hand over
The finish is checked in daylight and side light, touch-ups are done and the space is cleared.
Rules that touch painting jobs
The EPA lead rule applies to paid work in pre-1978 homes. Permit rules vary by city, and repairs that open walls or replace windows can bring permits and the lead rule into play. Ask the building department that covers your address.
Questions about painting
Does lead-safe work apply when painting an older Georgia home?
If the home or a child-occupied facility was built before 1978 and a contractor is paid to disturb painted surfaces, EPA's RRP rule requires a lead-safe certified firm and trained workers. Work that disturbs 6 square feet or less per room inside, or 20 square feet or less outside, is exempt, but window replacement and demolition are always covered.
Can I do the lead-safe work myself on my own house?
EPA says homeowners working on their own pre-1978 home are generally not covered by the rule, but the rule applies if you rent any part of the home, run a childcare in it, or flip it. EPA still recommends hiring a certified contractor for pre-1978 work.
Why does exterior paint mildew so easily in Georgia?
Georgia summers are long, warm and humid, and UGA Extension notes mildew typically starts when relative humidity holds near 60 percent at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Fixing moisture sources and cleaning the surface before repainting matters, since EPA warns paint over mold is likely to peel.
How do I keep paint fumes down indoors?
EPA says elevated VOC levels can persist long after painting is done, and recommends maximum ventilation during painting, following label precautions, and not keeping opened paint containers indoors. Checking the product label for VOC content is the practical step.
Should I paint over mold or mildew stains?
No. EPA advises against painting or caulking moldy surfaces because the paint is likely to peel. Clean up the mold, fix the moisture problem and let the surface dry before painting.
Verify before you hire anyone. Check any contractor's state license on the Secretary of State contractor board and your city's permit requirements before work starts.
Where this work is quoted
Painting is quoted in seven towns around Atlanta. Pick your town to see its permit office, neighborhoods and the building context that shapes a project there.
Related services: Framing and Drywall, CMU and Masonry Block, Demolition, Office Interior.
Sources: [1] epa.gov [2] epa.gov [3] epa.gov [4] epa.gov [5] weather.gov [6] fieldreport.caes.uga.edu [7] 19january2025snapshot.epa.gov
Plan your painting project
Describe the work and the address. We will follow up with the phone number you provide.