What is mold?
Mold is a fungal growth that commonly grows on damp surfaces. The presence of fiber and moisture, are the ideal conditions for the growth of mold. It may be concealed behind your wallpaper or under carpets, in the inner sections of your tiles, or behind the drywall. Material such as cloth, cardboard, paper, wood, and skin flakes are fodder for the growth of mold.
Water collecting due to blocked gutters and roof drains can cause serious damage to your home and dirty contaminated water can enter your home because of septic tank overflow. Bathtubs and showers with faulty grouting allow water to enter through the tiles and create mold. Other areas of the house to watch out for are shower stalls, and pipe leaks, and faulty toilet bowl wax seals.
Why is it dangerous?
Mold causes infections and diarrhea and may cause lung infections, and sinusitis, especially in those with immune suppression. Not only does mold affect your family’s health but can even damage or destroy wood, and furniture. Stagnant water and a damp cloth are a sure way to breed viruses, bacteria, and mold. They cause disease, set-off allergies, and continue to cause decay even after the water has drained away.
How can I prevent mold?
According to the U.S Environment Protection Agency (EPA), it is humidity or water vapor in the air that supplies moisture for mold growth, therefore indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept below 60 percent. In flood-prone areas, you should undertake a detailed structural assessment and if required take the assistance of experienced professionals.
Since moisture reduction is an efficient method of arresting the growth of mold, one should ensure immediate fixing of leaks and the removal of collected water. See that your heating and cooling systems are well insulated, keep furniture, and furnishings dry, and ventilate shower, laundry, and cooking areas.
How do I protect my home from mold damage?
It is always advisable to include coverage for mold in your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you have damage by water loss, and you do not immediately get a professional to do the remediation chances are that mold growth will commence and this is usually covered under a different part of your insurance policy. Mold removal is only covered when the source of the mold is already covered in your homeowner’s policy, such as water damage. Sometimes, the coverage for mold claims is limited in home insurance policies.
When filing a mold claim with your insurance company, we recommend that you utilize the expertise of a certified mold hygienist. Further, use the services of a qualified remediation company to make sure your home is mold-free and safe for your family. Distinguishing between the damage caused by water and that caused by mold is a difficult job. Only an expert who is skilled at both the mold claims process and an understanding of your policy can do it. This is one of the reasons why you should always consider hiring a licensed public adjuster when filing any type of insurance claim.
Understanding your insurance policy deductibles, coverages, and exclusions, appraising, and estimating the correct value of your loss, is best left to the experts who also negotiate on your behalf to help you receive the maximum settlement.
Call us at Experienced Public Adjuster to process a mold damage claim and get your rightful settlement.