What is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows for sure how many different strains of mold exist but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests there may be more than 300,000 different kinds of mold out there. In small amounts, most types of mold are harmless. In large amounts, mold can cause health problems such as allergic reactions. Large amounts of mold inside a home can also cause damage to the home itself.
How can I prevent mold in my house?
Repair any leaky pipes or appliances right away. Repair any leaks in the roof promptly, as well.
Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and cooking areas to reduce humidity. If dampness is a problem in any area of the home, install a dehumidifier.
What causes a household mold problem?
The short answer is excessive moisture. That’s why mold is often found in damp basements, under leaky sinks or behind leaky toilets, in attics when the roof leaks, and in homes that have been flooded. If you have any mold due to these issues, call Precision Mold Restoration for a free consultation, a mold remediation is needed.
What kinds of health problems are caused by mold?
Exposure to mold can cause all sorts of health problems. Most common are allergy symptoms like hives or a rash and respiratory symptoms, like coughing, sneezing and a runny nose. Mold related health problems can go far beyond that, though, and can be much more serious. Exposure to mold can cause respiratory infections like pneumonia. It can even cause pulmonary hemorrhage, or bleeding in the lungs, which can be life threatening.
If you suspect that your health is being compromised due to mold and are concerned that you may have mold related symptoms... please, contact your health care professional for proper diagnosis and treatment
How do I know if mold is causing my symptoms?
If you’re sick and you have mold in your home, it is possible mold is causing your symptoms. For a diagnosis, you’ll need to contact your health care professional . Make sure you let your doctor know you’ve been exposed to mold.
Does mold sickness go away?
Usually, after you’ve received treatment and are no longer exposed to mold, mold-related health problems go away. Occasionally, though, they don’t. Consult your medical professional. For more mold facts, mold information and if you may need mold remediation services, call Precision Mold Restoration for a free consultation.
Can mold make my pets sick?
Exposure to mold can make pets sick as well as people. Due to their small size, however, pets may become very ill even when exposed to relatively small amounts of mold. See your vet right away if you think mold might be making your pets sick.
How do I know if I have mold in my home?
You may be able to see it. Mold sometimes grows in hidden places, though, so you might have to look for it. It’s not always obvious. Mold remediation specialists will often offer free home inspections. You can also hire a certified mold tester to test the air in your home.
Mold facts... Where should I look for mold?
Look in basements, attics and crawlspaces, areas that may be damp and where you might not notice mold simply because you don’t go there often. Look under sinks, behind toilets and around washing machines, places where water leaks might develop. It may also be necessary to look in harder-to-access areas, like inside heating, ventilation and air conditioning ducts, inside walls, and under floor boards. If you find mold in one area of the home, you should do a thorough inspection of the rest of the home because mold spreads easily from one area to another.
I live in an apartment. Is my landlord responsible for mold removal?
Maybe. It depends on the applicable laws in your state and perhaps on the terms of your lease, as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends contacting your state or county department of health for more information. You may also wish to consult an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.
Can I clean up mold myself or do I need to hire a professional?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends hiring a professional if: Mold covers an area greater than 10 square feet, mold results from water that may be contaminated by sewage or other hazardous substances, you have mold in your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, you have health problems that may be made worse by contact with mold. Otherwise, you can tackle the cleanup yourself if you prefer. Make sure you use the appropriate protective gear so you don’t get ill from increased exposure to mold and that you take the appropriate steps to prevent inadvertently spreading mold to other areas of the home during the cleanup process.
How much does mold removal cost?
It varies depending on a number of factors, including the amount and location of mold to be removed. It might be as little as a few thousand dollars or as much as $20,000. We’re just not able to be more exact. You can, however, get a free estimate from an experienced mold remediation professional, who will visit your home and offer a free inspection and consultation.
Will my homeowner’s insurance pay for it?
Maybe. Homeowner’s insurance usually only pays for mold removal if the mold results from a covered event. For instance, if your insurance covers flooding and mold develops as a result of flooding, your insurance company will probably pay for the mold removal. If you don’t have flood insurance, though, and mold develops as a result of flooding, your insurance probably won’t pay for it. Review your policy for mold information or call your insurance agent to get the mold facts regarding you policy.
Mold remediation can be an expensive process. Whether mold is covered by insurance is a question that many ask and are unsure of. Understanding your own policy is very important to know whether you are covered for mold issues. Basic home owner insurance policy excludes the coverage of damage caused by mold growth. Some policies will cover damages if it can be associated to an actual loss that was covered and the mold is a result of that loss (for example – a big water damage causing mold). Coverage is mainly dependent on the source of the moisture and the cause of the growth
Some insurance companies do have a clause for Mold but usually cap it at $10,000. Understanding the reasons for Mold removal being expensive is important. Professional Restoration Companies can have higher costs than the average "handyman" for mold removal. This is due to proper training, state licensing, the specific insurance policy they must have and utilizing proper industry equipment needed to get the job done correctly. A professional and certified mold removal company must follow strict guidelines and training. These factors are the main reasons why a professional and certified mold removal company are generally more expensive than the average 'handyman.' When choosing a mold removal company, be sure that they have the proper insurance and training. Hiring a handyman can result in major cross contamination throughout your property so it is very important to hire a professional mold removal company.
