By Karla Sullivan
There seems to be a great deal of controversy concerning mold, the good kind and bad. Without mold, we would not have an antibiotic like penicillin and mold is everywhere. It is in the air, both indoors and out. In fact, there are over 100,000 mold species.
Mold exposure, according to the Center for Disease Control, does not always present health problems but there is sufficient evidence to suggest that indoor mold can create upper respiratory issues and asthma symptoms especially those that are allergic or sensitive to mold in the first place. Some reactions are more severe than others especially depending on the amount of mold that may be present. Those that work in occupations with high levels of mold are more affected by the consequences.
According to the EPA, the following will give you a better understanding of how mold develops and how you can protect your home:
· Fix leaky plumbing and wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water
· Tiles and carpet that become moldy should be replaced immediately
· Common sites are bathroom tile, basement walls and areas around windows
· High humidity can lead to mold growth. Keep indoor humidity low; below 60%
· Clean and repair roof gutters
· Wipe condensation on window
· Run bathroom fans or open a window while showering. Use exhaust fans when needed
· Use a shower curtain that is resistant to mildew
· Increase ventilation by opening doors and windows
· Some paints may offer mold inhibitors but don’t paint over moldy walls
· Sampling for mold should be conducted by professional
If mold is detected, the next question most frequently asked is if this problem is covered on your homeowners policy. And that depends on the wording of your policy. If mold is covered, it may be due to a pipe bursting or flood. But not all water damage such as a repeated leakage is covered.
Most basic policies do not cover mold damage due to poor maintenance so it is important to check with your policy specialist about your limitations. If you are looking for mold remediation, you may want to also ask your insurance specialist for a recommendation. Mold removal by a contractor can be very costly.
