Mold Removal in University Place, WA

What should I know about University Place?

University Place is a largely suburban Pierce County city that mixes homes and businesses, about 31 miles from Seattle in a straight line. Its western edge is Puget Sound shoreline running down to Chambers Bay, and Chambers Creek crosses the city on its way there. The city runs its own permits and code enforcement.

Why does mold show up here?

The shoreline matters less than the calendar. From fall through spring the region stays damp and gray, so materials that get wet dry slowly or not at all. The patterns University Place homeowners run into are the same ones seen across the South Sound:

• Slopes toward the Sound or the creek that push groundwater toward foundations.
• Crawl spaces where damp soil keeps joists and insulation wet.
• Window and wall condensation on cold mornings.
• Attics that trap moist air from bathrooms and kitchens.
• Plumbing leaks hidden inside walls and cabinets.

EPA's simplest advice is the most useful: the key to mold control is moisture control. Keep indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally 30 to 50 percent, and dry anything wet within 24 to 48 hours.

Who handles permits?

Removing mold isn't permitted work, but rebuilding can be. City of University Place Planning & Development Services handles building, plumbing and mechanical permit applications, which are submitted by email to the city's permits address.

What can renters do?

Put the problem in writing to your landlord. Washington's landlord-tenant law requires landlords to keep units weathertight and in good repair, and written notice starts repair timelines. The city has a Code Enforcement office with a Code Enforcement Complaint Form; its page doesn't say whether it covers interior rental conditions such as mold, so ask when you file and focus on the leak or defect. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has said it has no regulatory power over rental housing. This is general information, not legal advice.

Where do health questions go?

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has a mold FAQ, and the Washington Department of Health has a mold page. EPA notes mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs; talk to a health professional about symptoms.

What happens when I call?

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