In Puyallup, mildew most often shows up on window frames, bathroom ceilings and closet walls during the months when nothing dries. A small patch on a hard surface can usually be cleaned by the homeowner, while recurring or widespread growth needs a professional and a fix for the moisture. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Puyallup.
Mildew in Puyallup homes
Puyallup sits on the Puyallup River in a valley known for berries and daffodils, with neighborhoods spreading up onto South Hill. Clarks Creek runs through town, and repeated flooding along it preceded the demolition of the former House of Tomorrow site. River and creek water aside, the everyday cause of mildew here is indoor humidity meeting cold surfaces in a climate that stays damp for half the year.
What to do now
- Measure the patch. Under about 10 square feet on a hard surface is the range EPA and the Washington Department of Health consider a homeowner job.
- Put on gloves and eye protection, open a window or run a fan, and scrub with detergent and water. Dry the surface completely.
- Throw out what can't be cleaned. Stained caulk, soaked cardboard and moldy ceiling tiles go in a bag; EPA notes porous materials often have to be discarded.
- Find the water. Check the bath fan, the window seal, the plumbing behind the wall and any gutter dumping against the house.
- Watch for a few weeks. If the growth returns in the same place, the moisture source hasn't been fixed and the wall may need a closer look.
- Don't paint over it. EPA says paint applied over mold tends to peel and the growth continues.
What you see and what usually causes it
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Speckling at the bottom of window frames | Condensation running off cold glass |
| Gray film on the bathroom ceiling | Weak or unused exhaust fan |
| Spots on the back wall of a closet | Cold exterior wall with no air movement |
| Stain that spreads below a window | Leak at the window flashing or sill |
| Growth low on a wall with soft drywall | Plumbing leak or water entering from outside |
Cost factors
Angi's Seattle cost guide lists bathroom mold remediation at $425 to $825, and most pros charge $10 to $25 per square foot. The total goes up with drywall removal, repairs to the water source and harder-to-reach areas. Rebuilding work is reviewed by City of Puyallup Building Services. Renters can file a written complaint with the city's Code Compliance Division, which enforces property maintenance codes; anonymous phone tips are not followed up.
Mold & Mildew Cleanup questions in Puyallup
What is the safest way to clean mildew off a hard surface?
A closet smells musty but I can't see anything. What now?
How long does a professional mildew cleanup take?
Does homeowners insurance pay for mildew cleanup?
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