Mold Detection

Time and time again we hear stories of people being sickened and forced from their homes by a serious toxic mold infestation. Because homeowners insurance doesn’t typically cover the cost of mold remediation many people have lost everything when mold has forced them from their residence.

If you suspect that there is mold growing in your home you should contact an Environmental Consultant who is knowledgeable about mold. They can use their professional skills to determine if there is an elevated mold count in the air of your home and help you find the appropriate measures to take to remediate the mold infestation should it exist.

Often minor leaks, such as a leak near a furnace or HVAC unit, can create major problems throughout a home. Toxic mold spores can travel via the air duct work in a home, rendering the home uninhabitable. Every time the air is moved through the house, spores travel with it, making people living there sick.

The toxic mold spores can make one ill by creating fungal infections in the lungs and other internal organs. Some molds can even lead to the development of cancer. That is why it is imperative that you have your home inspected for dangerous mold if you suspect any type of water damage or water leaks. Even a small patch of mold can be deadly.

Exposure to a high level of mold spores can be subtle and resemble flu like symptoms. What can tip you off that you have a mold infestation in a home is that you begin to feel better when you’re away from the home for a few days. If you find visual evidence of mold growth, cover it in taped up plastic and contact a mold detection professional. Don’t try to treat it yourself because you may release mold spores into your home, worsening the problem. When you hire a professional mold remediation company always check their certification. You don’t want to pay thousands of dollars to have a poorly done job that only makes the mold situation worse.

Remember to have a test done as soon as you detect any problems. Early testing, while it may cost about $200 or so, is much cheaper than cleaning up a large mold infestation which can run well into the $1000’s of dollars.

Another thing to consider is that most standard homeowners insurance does not include mold detection or mold removal. These services are excluded from most homeowner’s insurance policies unless you purchase an expensive rider to cover this possibility. After being overwhelmed by mold damage lawsuits a few years ago, homeowners insurance companies have been considering mold damage as house maintenance. This means that if your home is damage by mold and not inhabitable your homeowners insurance won’t cover having it repaired. Therefore, if this coverage is a concern to you, you should seek out a homeowners insurance policy that covers mold damage.