Mold Removal & Remediation in Fife, WA

Does Fife's low ground make mold more likely?

It can make moisture harder to control. Fife extends across the flat land from the Port of Tacoma, its southern portions lie in the Puyallup River floodplain, and in some parts the water table is only 10 to 15 feet below ground. Flat lots drain slowly, so rain can pond near foundations, and crawl spaces stay damp longer after wet spells. Add a Puget Sound winter, and you get condensation on cold walls and windows, damp insulation under floors and musty lower rooms. Fife's municipal code includes a flood damage prevention chapter run by the community development director, so if water ever enters a building, rebuild may come with flood rules. A good remediation company will find out where the water is coming from before quoting removal, because grading, gutters or a vapor barrier may be part of the real fix.

I rent in Fife. Who handles mold?

Start with the landlord, in writing. Washington's landlord-tenant law requires landlords to keep units reasonably weathertight and to give tenants Department of Health-approved mold information, and it sets time frames for starting repairs after written notice. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has said it does not have regulatory power over rental housing issues, even though it has seen more complaints about problems such as mold. For an unresolved building problem, ask the City of Fife which office handles housing conditions. This is general information, not legal advice.

Our business is in a warehouse or shop. Is the process different?

Much of Fife's economy runs on car dealerships, warehousing, motels and highway businesses along I-5 and Pacific Highway. The principles are the same, fix the water and remove contaminated material, but larger buildings need more planning. EPA's guide to remediation in schools and commercial buildings covers containment, protective gear and communication with occupants for bigger areas. Ask for a company with commercial experience, a written schedule that limits downtime, and a plan for HVAC systems serving the affected space.

Rebuild and permits

The City of Fife Community Development Department issues building permits, and its permit coordinators review applications. Fife lies within the Puyallup Indian Reservation, about 27 miles from Seattle.