Black Mold Removal in University Place, WA

University Place at a glance

University Place is a largely suburban city with Puget Sound shoreline running down to Chambers Bay and Chambers Creek cutting through on its way to the water. Homes along Grandview Drive and the bluffs see wind-driven rain from the Sound, while the rest of the city deals with the usual South Sound pattern: months of damp air, cool walls and windows that sweat from November into spring.

What to do now

1. Check for active water. Feel the wall, look at the window track, check under sinks and around the toilet.
2. Size it up. EPA and the Washington Department of Health say patches under about 10 square feet are usually a homeowner job.
3. Clean small, hard surfaces with detergent and water, wearing gloves and eye protection, then dry them.
4. Leave larger or hidden growth alone. Tearing out moldy drywall without containment spreads spores through the house.
5. Get air moving. Run bath and kitchen fans and a dehumidifier; keep furniture a few inches off outside walls.
6. Call for a professional if the area is large, inside a wall or ceiling, or keeps coming back.

Reading the signs

Cost factors

Angi's Seattle cost guide lists most mold remediation jobs at $1,008 to $2,967, with bathrooms at $425 to $825. The total depends on the size of the area, whether drywall, insulation or carpet must go, containment, access and repairs. Washington has no state mold license or certification, so check that the company is registered with Washington L&I as a construction contractor. Building and mechanical permits for rebuilding go through the City of University Place Planning & Development Services. Renters can use the city's Code Enforcement complaint form for property concerns, after giving the landlord written notice.