Black Mold Removal in Freeland, WA

Freeland's water picture

Freeland is a south Whidbey village on a mile-wide isthmus with Holmes Harbor to the north and Mutiny Bay on Admiralty Inlet to the south. Island County's Freeland Subarea Plan says flooding can happen in intense storms or unusually high tides with large seas around low-lying shoreline areas, and Freeland is a designated Critical Drainage Area that requires added on-site stormwater infiltration. During the December 27, 2022 king tide, a driver drove into floodwater on Shoreview Drive and had to be helped to dry land with water at the car windows.

Most homes are single-family houses on fairly large lots, along with some apartments and senior housing. For most of them, black mold comes from ordinary moisture: roof leaks, gutters that overflow, winter condensation, and lower floors where drainage is slow.

Cleaning versus removal

Washington has no state mold license or certification. A company doing the work should be registered with Washington L&I as a construction contractor.

Signs to check

• Dark growth on window sills or the drywall beneath them.
• Spots on the ceiling below a roof valley or chimney.
• Musty air in a lower level after heavy rain.
• Black staining on the backs of stored items against outside walls.

Timing

Winter is when Freeland homes are wettest and when storms and high tides line up. Dry anything wet within 24 to 48 hours if you can, as EPA advises. Rebuilding is easier in summer, when wood dries faster. Through the wet months, a dehumidifier in a closed-up lower level and fans that vent outdoors keep humidity down between storms. FEMA flood rules are applied mainly when building permits are issued, so check with the Island County Building Department before rebuilding on low-lying shoreline lots.