Mold Removal in Bainbridge Island, WA

An island city in Kitsap County

Bainbridge Island is a Kitsap County city that covers the whole island, about 9 miles from Seattle in a straight line and roughly a 35-minute ferry ride away. It's hilly, and its commercial centers are spread out: Winslow, Lynwood Center, Island Center at Fletcher Bay, and Rolling Bay. About 53 miles of irregular coastline border Puget Sound, Port Orchard Bay, Rich Passage and Agate Pass, with spits, bluffs, lagoons, tide flats and Eagle Harbor.

King tides and the shoreline

The city says king tides can cause local tidal flooding starting in some areas around 13 feet above mean lower low water, and windy storms can push water higher. Sea level rise is making high tides reach further inland, and the city keeps sandbags at its Operations & Maintenance Facility. For shoreline homes, saltwater in a crawl space or garage needs to be dried out fast. EPA says to assume mold if wet materials weren't dried within 24 to 48 hours.

Older houses, hillsides and wet winters

In the island's 98110 ZIP code, about 34.5 percent of houses were built in 1979 or earlier. Older homes often have vented crawl spaces, less insulation and fewer bath fans, so winter condensation and slow leaks have more places to hide. Hillside lots add groundwater pushing against lower walls. Common finds include:

• Spotting on crawl space joists and sagging, damp insulation.
• Darkened attic sheathing above bathrooms.
• Stains under windows on the weather side of the house.

Permits and complaints

The City of Bainbridge Island Building Division, part of Planning and Community Development, handles building permits through its Public Permit Portal. Mold removal isn't permitted work, but rebuilding often is; electrical permits go to Washington L&I instead. Code Compliance takes complaints in writing, which may be anonymous, through SeeClickFix.

Renters and health questions

Kitsap Public Health District says landlords must repair building problems that let water in, such as plumbing leaks, roof leaks and structural moisture, and that tenants should report leaks promptly in writing. It also notes Washington law doesn't require landlords to perform mold remediation. The district doesn't inspect or test private homes for mold or enforce landlord-tenant law; it refers tenants to the Washington State Attorney General's Office. This is general information, not legal advice.

EPA says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs; people with health concerns should see a health professional.

When you call

You'll be connected with an independent local company. Washington has no state mold license or certification, so check that the company is registered with Washington L&I as a construction contractor on L&I's Verify a Contractor tool.