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Mold Remediation in Des Moines, IA
Mold follows moisture: any leak or flood that stays wet for 24–48 hours can start growth. Polk County has 20 federal disaster declarations on record, 17 tied to flooding, hurricanes or storms (FEMA), and the area averages about 36" of precipitation a year (NOAA) — but everyday sources matter just as much: plumbing leaks, appliance failures, and bathrooms or crawl spaces that never fully dry. DisasterStatus connects you with vetted, independent local mold remediation pros across the Des Moines metro area.
Local flood risk in Des Moines
Updated Jul 6, 2026, 3:54 PM CDTNo active flood alerts
As of 2026-07-06, there are no active flood or storm alerts for this area. Atlantic hurricane season (Jun–Nov) is active — risk can change quickly.
Live data: NWS — active alerts & precipitation forecast (api.weather.gov) · NOAA NHC — active tropical cyclones
Mold risk in Des Moines
federally-declared disasters in Polk County
average annual precipitation
average annual snowfall
Recent federally-declared events
- Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024 · Severe Storm)
- Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2024 · Tornado)
- Severe Storms (2020 · Severe Storm)
- Covid-19 Pandemic (2020 · Biological)
- Covid-19 (2020 · Biological)
Des Moines averages about 36" of precipitation a year and roughly 35.3" of snow (NOAA), and Polk County's 20 federally-declared disasters skew toward flood events; recent declarations include Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding and Severe Storms and Tornadoes (FEMA). Any of those events can put water into a home — and so can the plumbing, appliance and roof failures that never make a federal declaration. Winter adds its own water risk: hard freezes burst pipes, and melting snow finds every gap in a roof or foundation.
Pros in the network serve the Des Moines metro area, including Downtown, East Village, Sherman Hill, Beaverdale, West Des Moines, Waukee, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Altoona — and ZIP codes such as 50309, 50310, 50311, 50315, 50317.
Sources: FEMA OpenFEMA — federally-declared disaster history (county FIPS 19153) · NOAA NCEI — 1991–2020 Climate Normals (station USW00014933)
What a local mold remediation pro does
- Inspection & testing — locates hidden growth and identifies the extent.
- Containment & HEPA filtration — seals the area and scrubs the air so spores don't spread.
- Removal & moisture-source fix — affected materials out, and the leak or humidity feeding the mold corrected.
- Clearance & documentation — post-remediation verification and a record for your insurer.
What does it cost in Des Moines?
Nationally, mold remediation commonly runs from a few hundred dollars for a small contained area to several thousand for widespread growth — driven by the size and location of the growth and the moisture source that has to be fixed. Local factors in Des Moines — labor rates, the severity of the specific loss, and how accessible the damage is — affect the final number, so we don't publish a fixed local price. Get an on-site assessment from the local pro for an accurate quote.
Frequently asked questions
- Local mold remediation companies in the DisasterStatus network serve the Des Moines metro area (including West Des Moines, Waukee, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Altoona) and most offer 24/7 emergency response, aiming to be on-site within a few hours — so mold can be contained before spores spread through the home.
- No. DisasterStatus is a free referral service. We connect you with vetted, independent local mold remediation professionals who serve the Des Moines area — the on-site work is handled directly by that local pro, not by DisasterStatus.
- Des Moines's heat and humidity plus ~36" of annual rain (NOAA) keep materials damp, and the 17 flood/hurricane-related federal disasters on record in Polk County (FEMA) leave homes wet long enough for mold to take hold.
- Connecting through DisasterStatus is always free; we may be paid a referral fee by the pro, at no cost to you. Mold Remediation pricing depends on the category and extent of the damage and local factors — get an on-site assessment for an accurate number.
How fast can a mold remediation pro reach me in Des Moines?
Does DisasterStatus do the mold remediation work?
Why is mold such a problem in Des Moines?
Is it free to get connected, and what will it cost?
Local resources · Des Moines, IA
Local mold remediation rules & permits in Des Moines
Local rules & permits
Construction contractors must register with Iowa DIAL
Iowa law requires every contractor who earns $2,000 or more per year from construction (including repair and restoration trades) to register with the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL); the registration fee is $50 and must be renewed annually. Any contractor with employees must carry workers' compensation coverage and a $25,000 bond. Registration is not an occupational license — it does not test competency — so homeowners should still verify insurance and references.
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL)
Source: dial.iowa.gov
Permits & inspections
Repair & rebuild permits (Des Moines Permit and Development Center)
Inside Des Moines city limits, construction permits for rebuild work — new additions, electrical panel changeouts, water heater installation, roofing — go through the city's Permit and Development Center at 1200 Locust St. (Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), reachable at (515) 283-4200 or [email protected]. You can apply, pay fees and request inspections online through the city's EnerGov Customer Self-Service portal, and the city publishes a Minor Repair Permit Exemption Policy listing small repair work that needs no permit.
City of Des Moines Permit and Development Center
1200 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309
dsm.city/departments/development_services/permit_development_center/index.php
Source: dsm.city
Building permits for unincorporated Polk County (Building Services)
Outside city limits, Polk County Building Services reviews plans, issues permits and inspects building construction in the unincorporated areas of the county — rebuild and repair projects are inspected under the adopted 2021 International Codes, plus the State Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Energy Codes. Apply through the county's online permit portal (contractors must register first), then call 515-286-3705 to request inspections, which are scheduled first-come, first-served; the office is at 5885 NE 14 Street, Des Moines (7:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).
Polk County Public Works — Building Services
5885 NE 14 Street, Des Moines, IA 50313
polkcountyiowa.gov/public-works/planning-development/building-services
Source: polkcountyiowa.gov
Debris & disposal
Bulk-trash & appliance disposal
The City of Des Moines collects large items curbside with a pink $5 Large Item Sticker on each item — appliances take seven stickers (a $35 collection fee) and each roll of carpet takes a $1 Extra Trash sticker, the route for hauling out water-soaked carpet, furniture and failed appliances after a loss. Schedule the pickup at (515) 283-4950 (24/7) at least 24 hours before your regular collection day and have stickered items at the curb by 7 a.m.
City of Des Moines Public Works
dsm.city/departments/public_works/garbage_recycling/bulk_trash.php
Source: dsm.city
Large-item & bulk-debris curbside pickup (Des Moines Public Works)
Des Moines Public Works collects water-soaked furniture, mattresses and other storm-loss bulk items at the curb: each large item needs a pink $5 Large Item sticker, and appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, water heaters) need seven $5 stickers — a $35 collection fee. Schedule 24/7 at (515) 283-4950 at least 24 hours before your next regular collection day, with stickered items at the curb by 7 a.m. Residents can also drop large trash items and bulk yard waste for free at monthly SCRUB events (March–November).
City of Des Moines Public Works — Solid Waste Division
1700 Maury St., Des Moines, IA 50317
dsm.city/departments/public_works/garbage_recycling/bulk_trash.php
Source: dsm.city
These are local government rules and offices — they change and depend on your exact address. Confirm with the official source before you act.