Black Mold Removal in Kent, WA

Is my Kent home at risk from Green River flooding?

It depends on where you live. The Green River flows north through Kent toward Puget Sound, and the valley floor is mostly industrial and commercial, with some medium-density housing. Flooding from the Green and White rivers was a constant problem in the valley until Howard A. Hanson Dam was built at Eagle Gorge in 1962. King County still says the lower Green, including Kent, is at risk of flooding in residential, commercial and industrial areas, and that the dam and the county's levee system can't prevent every flood. In December 2025, after a week of heavy rain, a levee failed and King County ordered evacuations in parts of Kent, Auburn and Tukwila, while the Army Corps stored a record amount of water behind Hanson Dam to protect the valley. Any home or apartment on the valley floor that took on water that month should be checked for growth inside walls and under flooring.

Why do I see black mold on the hills if I've never flooded?

East Hill is mainly residential, and West Hill mixes homes with businesses along I-5. Up there, black mold usually grows on surfaces that stay wet during the long rainy season: window frames covered in condensation every morning, bathroom ceilings above showers without strong fans, closets on north-facing walls, and drywall near a roof or plumbing leak. Homes around Lake Meridian, Clark Lake and Lake Fenwick see the same damp air.

Do I need to know what kind of mold it is?

Usually not. EPA says sampling is unnecessary in most cases where mold is visible, and there are no federal limits to compare results to. Black, green or gray, it's removed the same way: fix the moisture, contain the area if it's larger than about 10 square feet, take out porous materials and clean what remains. Testing can help afterward to confirm the cleanup worked.

One Kent note

If removal reveals rotted framing or damaged plumbing, ask the City of Kent what permits apply before repairs. Washington has no state mold license, so check the company's registration with Washington L&I as a construction contractor on L&I's Verify a Contractor tool.