Black mold in a Medina home is a moisture problem first: a leak in a roof, window or plumbing line, condensation, or water reaching a lower level. Removal means stopping that water, containing the area and replacing porous materials before anything is refinished. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Medina.
Medina is a small, mostly residential city on a Lake Washington peninsula about 4 miles from Seattle, linked to it by the SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge and bordered by Clyde Hill and Hunts Point. The lake surrounds it on every side but the east, and the city's Shoreline Master Program also covers creeks, streams and wetlands inside city limits. As in any Puget Sound home, finished lower levels, big windows and rooms that are seldom used are where moisture tends to collect out of sight.
What to do now
- Don't disturb it. Wiping, sanding or vacuuming with a household vacuum spreads spores.
- Look for the water. Check the ceiling above, the plumbing behind, and the windows and doors nearby.
- Close the room. Shut doors and keep people with asthma or weakened immune systems away, as EPA advises.
- Turn off air that crosses the area. If a return vent is close by, EPA says not to run a system you suspect is contaminated.
- Document it. Photos and dates help with your insurer and with the company's scope.
- Get a professional opinion. Anything over about 10 square feet, or anything inside a wall, is professional work.
What you see and what usually causes it
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Dark speckles on drywall in a finished lower level | Water moving through a foundation wall or a slab edge, or high humidity |
| Black edges on large window frames | Condensation on cold glass during the wet months |
| Spots spreading on a ceiling below a bathroom or deck | Plumbing, shower pan or deck membrane leak |
| Musty smell from a closet, pantry or storage room | Poor air movement against an exterior wall |
| Staining near a supply line to a fridge, bar sink or ice maker | Slow plumbing drip |
Cost factors
Angi's Seattle cost guide reports typical jobs at $1,008 to $2,967 and whole-house projects at $8,275 to $24,800. Square footage, how many finishes have to be removed, containment needs and the cost of matching existing finishes during repair all matter, while the mold's color doesn't. Ask for a written scope that separates removal from rebuilding. Washington has no state mold license, so confirm the company is registered with Washington L&I as a construction contractor on L&I's Verify tool. Rebuilding work goes through the City of Medina Development Services Department, whose director serves as the building official.
Black Mold Removal questions in Medina
Should the company that tests the mold also remove it?
Should I get the black mold tested to learn what species it is?
How long does black mold removal usually take?
Do I need a permit to replace drywall after black mold is removed?
More mold services in Medina
Black Mold Removal nearby
Sources
- Wikipedia: Medina, Washington
- City of Medina: Shoreline Master Program
- City of Medina: Development Services Department
- Angi: How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost in Seattle, WA?
- L&I: Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business
- EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home
- EPA: Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters (pdf)
- EPA: Mold Information Slideshow (testing and sampling)
- Angi: How to Hire a Mold Remediation Company (separate testing and remediation)
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