Mold Removal & Remediation in Camano Island, WA

Does the island really flood?

Not from rivers. Island County notes it lacks major rivers, but flooding generally happens in winter when intense storms line up with high tides, wind-driven waves often overtop shore protection, and lakes and low-lying areas flood more often though less severely. Camano saw that in late December 2022, when a king tide combined with low pressure and heavy rain flooded Camano Island State Park, closing the boat launch for several days, and Cama Beach State Park closed its cabins after water came within an inch of some front doors. Homes facing Saratoga Passage, Port Susan, Davis Slough or Skagit Bay should be checked after any similar storm.

What if my house never took on water?

Most mold calls on Camano have nothing to do with tides. The island is mostly rural and residential, with houses that may sit closed up for weeks, crawl spaces on damp ground, and roofs under trees that shed needles into gutters and valleys. Those slow problems are harder to see than a flood and often do more damage because they go unnoticed through a whole wet season. A musty smell, stained ceilings or soft drywall near windows are reasons to have someone look. If the house sits empty in winter, leaving heat on low and checking it after big storms helps catch problems early.

What should a good remediation job include?

• A named moisture source and a plan to fix it.
• Plastic sheeting and air filtration around the work area.
• Removal of moldy porous materials, not just spraying.
• Moisture readings before anything is closed up.
• A company registered with Washington L&I as a construction contractor; the state has no mold license.

On-island permits

Camano is unincorporated, so the Island County Planning & Community Development Building Department handles building permits. Its Camano Annex on North East Camano Drive lets residents handle repair permits without crossing to Whidbey. Work in the FEMA 1% flood zone falls under the county's flood damage prevention rules, so if storm water was involved, mention it when you apply. Prices on the island reflect travel over the bridge from Stanwood and debris hauling as well as the size of the job; Angi's Seattle cost guide puts most remediation jobs between $1,008 and $2,967 as a starting reference.