Mold & Mildew Cleanup in Vashon, WA

Island homes and damp air

Vashon-Maury Island holds almost half of King County's shoreline miles, and much of its housing is older: the county's subarea plan calls the stock aging, with roughly a fifth of units built in 1939 or earlier. Almost 90 percent of homes are single-family, and about 1.9 percent are mobile homes. Older houses, seasonal places shut for weeks and homes close to the water all offer what mildew needs: cool surfaces, still air and slow drying.

What to do now

1. Open up and dry out. If a cabin or spare room has been closed, heat it, run fans and let it air before judging how bad things are.
2. Size it up. EPA and Washington DOH say growth under about 10 square feet on hard surfaces is usually manageable for a homeowner.
3. Clean, don't cover. Detergent and water on hard surfaces, then dry. Don't paint or caulk over mildew.
4. Bag up what's ruined. Mattresses, cushions and carpet that stay musty after drying usually aren't worth saving.
5. Look for the water. Roof and window leaks, gutters spilling against siding and missing bath fans are common culprits in older homes.

Signs and what they usually mean

What affects the price

Angi's Seattle cost guide lists most mold work at $10 to $25 per square foot and bathroom jobs at $425 to $825. The island depends on ferry service, so ask how a company handles travel time. Removing trim, drywall or flooring and repairs afterward add the most. Building permits for repairs in unincorporated King County come from the King County Department of Local Services Permitting Division, and substantially improved buildings in the coastal floodplain or the island's Sea Level Rise Risk Area must be built at least 3 ft above base flood elevation.