Burien landlords and business owners face mold in apartment buildings, small multiplexes, Olde Burien storefronts and properties near the Puget Sound shoreline. Commercial remediation keeps the work contained so neighbors and customers aren't affected, and fixes the moisture source so it doesn't return. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Burien.

Signs to look for
- A tenant's written complaint about a leak, damp wall or musty closet
- Dark growth along window frames in several units of the same building
- Stained or sagging ceiling in a shop near a roof drain or parapet
- Saltwater or storm debris that reached a lower level and was never fully dried
- Growth beyond about 10 square feet, the size where EPA steers owners to its commercial building guide
Local conditions in Burien
Burien sits in the Highline area about 11 miles south of Seattle, with 5.5 miles of Puget Sound shoreline on its western edge. FEMA maps set base flood elevations and flood depths for properties next to the Sound. On December 18, 2024, a 12.66-foot high tide combined with strong winds pushed waves over waterfront properties at Three Tree Point, covering SW 172nd Street with water and debris. Buildings along that stretch can collect moisture in lower walls long after the water leaves.
Away from the shore, the Puget Sound wet season does most of the damage: months of rain, cool walls and slow drying. Rental buildings are a big part of the picture. Under Burien's Rental Housing Inspection Program, apartments, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes get a health and safety inspection every three years. Tenants first give the landlord written notice under RCW 59.18.070 and can contact city officials if nothing happens. Public Health - Seattle & King County does not do mold assessments and directs tenants to report the underlying water problem to local building or code officials.

What changes the price
- How many units or rooms are involved and whether occupants stay in place
- Containment needed in shared hallways or stairwells
- Access to crawl spaces, attics or a waterfront lower level
- Replacement of drywall, flooring and trim afterward
Angi's Seattle cost guide reports $10 to $25 per square foot for typical work. That figure comes from residential jobs; commercial projects are quoted individually.
What happens when you call
You'll reach an independent local remediation company through this referral line. Be ready to describe the building, the units affected and any recent water. A site visit and written scope follow. Repairs to electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems may need a City of Burien permit. Check the company's registration with Washington L&I on the Verify a Contractor tool; Washington issues no mold license.
Commercial Mold Remediation questions in Burien
Can Public Health - Seattle & King County help with mold in our building?
What should we tell tenants or staff before work starts?
A tenant reported mold in an apartment. What does Washington require of the landlord?
Our building took on water. How fast does it need to dry?
More mold services in Burien
Commercial Mold Remediation nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
- Wikipedia: Burien, Washington
- City of Burien: Flood Insurance Rate Map
- B-Town Blog: High tide and windstorm batter shoreline of Burien's Three Tree Point
- City of Burien: Rental Housing Inspection Program
- Public Health - Seattle & King County: Mold (tenants and landlords)
- EPA: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings (pdf)
- Angi: How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost in Seattle, WA?
- L&I: Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business
- RCW 59.18.060: Landlord, Duties
- RCW 59.18.070: Landlord's failure to remedy, Tenant's remedies, Notice
- EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home
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