Des Moines homes face moisture from hillside runoff, creek ravines and long wet winters, and the median home here dates to about 1974, so aging roofs and plumbing are common culprits. Mold remediation removes the growth and damaged materials inside a contained area once that water source is fixed. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local mold remediation company in Des Moines.
Des Moines at a glance
Des Moines is a waterfront city about 16 miles south of Seattle, sloping down to Puget Sound from Pacific Highway, with the Des Moines Marina, Saltwater State Park and Des Moines Beach Park along the shore. Des Moines Creek and Massey Creek cut ravines through that slope, and neighborhoods such as Redondo, Woodmont and Zenith sit above the water. With a median build year around 1974 and roughly 61 percent of homes owner-occupied, the city has plenty of older houses and a sizable share of renters.
What to do now
- Find and stop the water. Check the roof, gutters, plumbing and any slope runoff reaching the foundation. Mold returns if the source stays.
- Dry what you can within a day or two. Fans and a dehumidifier help; DOH says to dry wet items within 24 to 48 hours.
- Leave larger growth alone. More than about 10 square feet, or anything hidden in walls, is professional territory per EPA and DOH.
- Shut off forced air near the problem. EPA says not to run an HVAC system you suspect is contaminated.
- If you rent, write to your landlord. Public Health - Seattle & King County tells tenants to give written notice and report the unfixed water problem to local code enforcement; in Des Moines that's Code Compliance, through the online complaint form.
What you see and what usually causes it
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Spotting on the ceiling below a bathroom | Shower pan leak or a bath fan that doesn't vent outdoors |
| Damp, musty lower level on a sloped lot | Groundwater seepage or surface runoff against the foundation |
| Black specks on window frames in winter | Condensation on cold glass in humid rooms |
| Stained roof sheathing in the attic | Roof leak or warm, moist air reaching the attic |
| Swollen cabinet base under the sink | Slow supply or drain leak |
Cost factors
Angi's Seattle cost guide lists most remediation jobs between $1,008 and $2,967, with basements from $425 to $2,475 and walls from $825 to $16,550. In Des Moines the spread depends on how far moisture traveled, whether lower-level walls need sections removed, how easy the crawl space is to reach, and whether the bid covers rebuild. The City of Des Moines Building Division reviews plans and issues building permits, so check with it if walls or framing will be replaced. Washington has no state mold license; confirm the company's L&I contractor registration before work starts.
Mold Removal & Remediation questions in Des Moines
I rent my home. Who is responsible for fixing mold?
Why does mold keep coming back after I clean it?
What indoor humidity helps keep mold from growing?
Do I need to leave my home while mold is being removed?
More mold services in Des Moines
Mold Removal & Remediation nearby
Sources
- Wikipedia: Des Moines, Washington
- City-Stats: Des Moines, WA
- U.S. Census QuickFacts: Des Moines city, Washington
- City of Des Moines: Building Division
- City of Des Moines: Report a Concern
- Public Health - Seattle & King County: Mold (tenants and landlords)
- EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home
- Washington DOH: Mold
- Angi: How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost in Seattle, WA?
- L&I: Register as a Contractor
- RCW 59.18.060: Landlord, Duties
- RCW 59.18.070: Landlord's failure to remedy, Tenant's remedies, Notice
Last updated: