Black Mold Removal in Bothell, WA

Signs worth a closer look

• Clusters of black dots on the ceiling of a bathroom with a weak or unused exhaust fan
• A dark band where an exterior wall meets the carpet in a back bedroom
• Black growth on the caulk and frames of older windows
• Stains under the kitchen sink or behind the washer that feel damp
• A musty odor that's strongest after the house has been closed up for a few days

Moisture in Bothell homes

Bothell is a Northshore suburb about 14 miles northeast of Seattle, with neighborhoods running from downtown and Canyon Park to North Creek and Thrasher's Corner. The Sammamish River passes through on its way to Lake Washington, and King County says that from Woodinville down to the lake it generally stays within its banks, so river flooding isn't the main driver here. Indoor moisture is. The city's median house dates to about 1989 and its median apartment building to about 2002, which means many homes are tight enough to trap shower steam and cooking moisture, yet old enough for original bath fans, window seals and roof flashing to be wearing out.

Through the long wet season, that trapped moisture condenses on the coldest surfaces: window glass, corners of exterior walls, closet walls and the underside of roof sheathing. Dark mold is the visible result. Bothell straddles the King-Snohomish county line, so which county health office covers your address depends on which side you're on.

Cost factors

Angi's Seattle cost guide reports a typical remediation job at $1,008 to $2,967 and a bathroom at $425 to $825. In Bothell, as anywhere, the number depends on how far the growth has spread, whether the drywall or insulation behind it has to be replaced, whether the attic or crawl space is involved, and how much finish work follows. Replacing drywall or repairing plumbing may need a permit through the City of Bothell Permit Center.

When you call

You'll reach an independent local mold remediation company, not this website; the site only makes the connection. Describe the rooms involved and any leaks you know about. Expect the company to check moisture around the growth, propose containment if the area is larger than about 10 square feet, and put the scope in writing. Washington has no state mold license or certification, so confirm the company is registered with Washington L&I as a construction contractor on L&I's Verify a Contractor tool before work begins.