Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Clinton, WA

Our Clinton house is older. Is that why mildew keeps coming back?

It plays a part. Island County's Clinton Subarea Plan says about 61 percent of the housing was built before 1980, nearly all of it single-family and mostly owner-occupied, with very little new construction. Older homes tend to have thinner insulation, older windows and bath fans that are weak or vent nowhere useful. That leaves cold glass, cold corners and steamy bathrooms, and in a climate that stays wet from October to April, those surfaces rarely dry. Mildew on window frames and ceilings is the predictable result. Upgrading a fan, adding a dehumidifier in a lower level and keeping some heat in every room usually makes a bigger difference than any cleaner.

Could the bluff or groundwater be part of it?

Possibly. The county plan describes most of Clinton as sitting on a steep bluff parallel to the shoreline, with landslide potential, and notes that flooding can come not only from king tides but from inland flooding tied to a higher water table. The shoreline is part of the Clinton Critical Drainage Area and the entire shoreline is mapped as a FEMA high-risk flood area. During the December 27, 2022 king tide, Clinton saw high flooding. Mildew low on a wall that backs onto a slope, a damp lower room, or a musty smell after heavy rain points to water coming in from outside rather than condensation, and that needs a different fix.

Who should handle the cleanup?

Small spots on tile, glass or painted trim: you, with detergent, water, gloves and eye protection. Larger areas, soft drywall, wet insulation or carpet: a professional who will contain the area, remove what can't be cleaned and find the source. Washington has no state mold license, so ask for the company's L&I registration and look it up on the Verify a Contractor tool.

A local note

Clinton is unincorporated, so repair permits come from the Island County Planning & Community Development Building Department. Renters should give the landlord written notice of leaks; the county's code enforcement page lists permit, critical area and nuisance complaints but doesn't mention rental conditions.