Home and Living

The issue of keeping homes home mold-free is taking on many homeowners and builders by surprise, as what used to be considered a harmless fungi and common house problem is posing a severe health and sanitation risk, if not checked in time. The news is that mold can cause serious health, sanitation and structural damage if not controlled and here is where the need for mold management is felt.

Steps towards effective mold management

It is very important to eliminate moisture from the home and keep regular checks for the same to prevent creation and spread of mold. Definite tell tale signs would be musty odors, watermarks on walls and ceiling, sudden asthma attacks or allergies (for more severe mold problems). The issue of mold management becomes ever complicated with litigation, lawyers, new homebuilders and such like, and extensive research is being carried on to best address this problem. If detected early, mold can usually be removed by a thorough cleaning with bleach and water. To prevent mold from re-growing, however, it is essential that the source of the moisture be eliminated and the affected area properly dried, cleaned, and if necessary, replaced. Proper disposal in safe bags of any material with moldy residue such as rags, paper or debris, is crucial for eliminating possibilities of re-growth of mold.

Insurance policies as means of mold management

Mold, like rot and insect infestation, is generally not covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy, unless the mold is caused as a direct result of a covered peril such as a burst pipe; in such a case, there could be coverage for the cost of eliminating the mold. Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as black mold is a deadly mold, causing severe health damage to all exposed to it and litigation involving this type of deadly mold has juries awarding huge sums of money to homeowners who initiated lawsuits against their insurance companies, with most awards given to people whose insurer did not pay for moisture-related repairs in time to prevent severe mold problems.

Effective mold management steps

The CDC- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – are of the opinion that mold is everywhere and can be found both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor mold is commonly found in shady, damp areas and in soil whereas, the indoor variety of mold exists where humidity and moisture levels are high, such as in basements, kitchens, bathrooms and on ceilings and wall interiors where water from leaky pipes, roofs or windows can accumulate. Keeping damp areas at minimum and installing de-humidifiers to promote ozone and freshness is the best way to reduce possibilities for mold growth and manage the problem at the root.