Mold Removal in Olalla, WA

Olalla is a small unincorporated community in South Kitsap, just north of the Pierce County line and about 17 miles from Seattle in a straight line. It sits on Olalla Bay off Colvos Passage, with a lagoon at the foot of Olalla Valley Road. Scandinavian immigrants settled much of it, and it was once a mosquito-fleet shipping stop.

Water around Olalla

Kitsap County's sea level rise risk assessment, a non-regulatory planning document, identifies Olalla's wetlands as at risk of coastal flooding. Homes right on the bay should treat any high-water day seriously: get water out and dry the house within 24 to 48 hours, which is EPA's window before mold should be assumed.

Most homes in Olalla are further from the water, and their moisture comes from the climate. Here's a quick self-check for a rural Kitsap house:

• Is the crawl space dry, with a ground cover over the soil and working vents?
• Do bath and kitchen fans vent outdoors, not into the attic?
• Are gutters clear and downspouts carrying water away from the foundation?
• Do windows sweat on cold mornings, and are the sills staying wet?
• Is there a musty smell in closets on the north or shaded side?

A "no" or "yes" in the wrong place points to where mold is most likely.

County offices

Olalla isn't a city, so Kitsap County's Department of Community Development Permit Services issues building permits, including repair permits after storms. Removing mold doesn't need a permit, but replacing structural pieces or drywall can. DCD's Code Compliance office takes reports through Report a Code Violation.

Renting in Olalla

Kitsap Public Health says landlords must fix building problems that let water in and tenants should report leaks promptly in writing; Washington law doesn't require landlords to perform mold remediation. The state landlord-tenant act requires landlords to keep units weathertight and to give tenants Department of Health-approved mold information. This is general information, not legal advice.

Health

Kitsap Public Health District has a mold page but doesn't inspect or test private homes. EPA says people with asthma or weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy areas, and anyone with health concerns should see a health professional.

When you call

You'll be connected with an independent local mold remediation company. Washington has no state mold license or certification. Ask whether the company is registered with Washington L&I as a construction contractor and confirm it on L&I's Verify a Contractor tool.