Black Mold Removal in Burien, WA

What to look for

• Dark spotting low on walls or along baseboards in a lower floor that took on water
• Black growth around the edges of windows that run with condensation on winter mornings
• A ceiling stain with speckles under a bathroom, skylight or valley in the roof
• Musty air in a closet built against an exterior wall
• Flooring that has darkened or lifted near a doorway

Burien's saltwater edge and inland homes

Burien runs along 5.5 miles of Puget Sound shoreline in the Highline area, about 11 miles south of Seattle. FEMA maps set base flood elevations and flood depths for properties next to the Sound, and the city's floodplain administrator can help owners check their zone on King County's flood map. Shoreline flooding does happen here: on Dec. 18, 2024, a 12.66-foot high tide combined with strong winds pushed waves over waterfront properties at Three Tree Point and left water and debris on SW 172nd Street. Lower floors that took on water that day need to be fully dried, and anything porous that stayed wet is a prime spot for dark growth.

Inland, the causes are more ordinary: windows that sweat all winter, bathrooms without strong fans, and roof or gutter leaks that run unnoticed into a wall. Homes around Olde Burien and up the hills from the water go through the same long, gray wet season as the rest of the region.

Cost

Angi's Seattle cost guide puts mold remediation at about $1,988 on average, with most jobs between $1,008 and $2,967. For Burien homes, the biggest swing factors are whether the growth stays on surfaces or extends into walls and insulation, whether flooring has to come up, and how much repair follows; Angi lists drywall repair at $825 to $2,400 and carpet at $650 to $2,150. Repairs to electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems may need a City of Burien permit.

What happens when you call

The call goes to an independent local mold remediation company. This site doesn't inspect or remove mold. Tell them how the water got in, whether it came from a storm tide or a household leak, and how long things stayed wet. The company should find the source, seal off larger areas, remove porous material that can't be cleaned, and give you the plan in writing. Check the company's registration with Washington L&I as a construction contractor on the Verify a Contractor tool; the state has no separate mold license.