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It’s certainly scary to find yourself dealing with a home mold problem. While there is reason to be concerned about your health when there’s mold present, it can also be expensive to eliminate. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that individuals can attempt to clean mold themselves if the area is less than 10 square feet.
For larger mold areas, homeowners will need to contact a professional cleaning and remediation service. Mold cleaning and repairs can cost $500 to $4,000 for a crawlspace, although adding ducts, walls or an attic can drive the cost to $6,000 or more. Most homeowners will need some form of financial help for this process. This is why we have partnered with Wisetack finance company. They have made financing these projects simple and affordable. We understand that some of us just don't have the money to afford such repairs. We also understand that our homes should be healthy, and our health is priceless. We have many options available to make this difficult time, much easier. Please contact us for further details. The following are additional steps you can take, to better secure funds for dealing with a mold problem should you encounter one:
Homeowners insurance will only cover mold or damage caused by mold if it grew as a result of a covered peril and occurred quickly. So a hurricane taking out your roof, allowing rain to come through and assist mold growth throughout your home would likely be covered. But mold-related problems are only covered if they’re caused by sudden and accidental issues, which typically result from water damage caused by a burst pipe, improperly working air conditioner or something along those lines. However, while a burst pipe that creates mold may be covered by your insurer, mold that comes from pipes connected to an improperly working AC unit may not share the same coverage. Most mold-related insurance claims are denied because the growth occurred over time and wasn’t caught quickly enough. Your policy has special guidelines for mold coverage, so it’s best to consult with your agent to figure out exactly what is and isn’t covered under your policy. Mold coverage also doesn’t have the same high-dollar limits as other parts of your policy. While repairs and removal from mold damage could set you back thousands of dollars, it’s common that homeowners insurance policies have a maximum limit of $1,000 to $10,000 for mold remediation — which is used for removal and repairs. However, you may be able to add an endorsement to your policy in high-humidity states like Florida that covers up to $50,000 per claim. You may need an add-on to your policy, but Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and South Carolina are currently the only states required to provide up to $50,000 per mold claim.Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold or Black Mold? Homeowners insurance will only cover mold or damage caused by mold if it grew as a result of a covered peril and occurred quickly. So a hurricane taking out your roof, allowing rain to come through and assist mold growth throughout your home would likely be covered. But mold-related problems are only covered if they’re caused by sudden and accidental issues, which typically result from water damage caused by a burst pipe, improperly working air conditioner or something along those lines. However, while a burst pipe that creates mold may be covered by your insurer, mold that comes from pipes connected to an improperly working AC unit may not share the same coverage. Most mold-related insurance claims are denied because the growth occurred over time and wasn’t caught quickly enough. Your policy has special guidelines for mold coverage, so it’s best to consult with your agent to figure out exactly what is and isn’t covered under your policy. Mold coverage also doesn’t have the same high-dollar limits as other parts of your policy. While repairs and removal from mold damage could set you back thousands of dollars, it’s common that homeowners insurance policies have a maximum limit of $1,000 to $10,000 for mold remediation — which is used for removal and repairs. However, you may be able to add an endorsement to your policy in high-humidity states like Florida that covers up to $50,000 per claim. You may need an add-on to your policy, but Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and South Carolina are currently the only states required to provide up to $50,000 per mold claim. Water damage to your home can be expensive and time-consuming to repair. Here's what you need to know about your insurance coverage and how to prevent more damage.
 While mold is found virtually everywhere you go and is not always harmful, there are certain types of mold or fungi that can pose a serious health risk to you and your family if they are present in your home. Here are a few of the most common species of toxic mold that can grow inside homes wherever there are wet surfaces or water damage, and a few tips for what to do if you think there might be harmful mold in your home.
1. StachybotrysCommonly referred to as “black mold,” stachybotrys is one of the most dangerous types of mold and can cause flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, headaches, memory loss and severe respiratory damage. Because their lungs are still developing, children are at an even greater risk for health problems associated with exposure to black mold. As its nickname suggests, black mold is dark in color, although it can also be grey or dark green. It typically has a very musty or mildewy odor and is found in very damp areas of homes and other buildings. 2. ChaetomiumChaetomium is most commonly found in homes that have water damage, as it thrives in wet, dark environments such as drywall, wallpaper, baseboards and carpets. This type of mold is similar to black mold and sometimes even shares the same environments. Along with general signs of allergies such as red, watery eyes and trouble breathing, chaetomium spores can also cause neurological damage and certain autoimmune diseases. 3. AspergillusAlthough aspergillus spores are present in the air that many of us breathe every day, this type of mold can be dangerous to people with comprised immune systems. Exposure to aspergillus may cause allergic reactions, lung infections and a specific type of infection known as aspergillosis. 4. PenicilliumLike aspergillus, penicillium is abundant in many everyday environments, but if trapped inside your home, it can cause asthmatic symptoms, bronchitis and other respiratory problems. 5. FusariumFusarium is a type of mold that is most commonly found in plant debris and soil, although it can also be found in very damp areas of your home such as underneath carpeting, inside drywall or foam insulation and in humidifier pans and HVAC systems. Although quite rare, a serious eye infection called fusarium keratitis can result from exposure to fusarium spores. 6. AlternariaA well-known allergy-causing mold, alternaria is present in high amounts in many climate zones during the spring and summer. Although this type of mold is usually not found in building materials, it is can be present in the air inside your home and may also be found in electric cables, cardboard, canvas and other textiles. While mold is found virtually everywhere you go and is not always harmful, there are certain types of mold or fungi that can pose a serious health risk to you and your family if they are present in your home. Here are a few of the most common species of toxic mold that can grow inside homes wherever there are wet surfaces or water damage, and a few tips for what to do if you think there might be harmful mold in your home. 1. StachybotrysCommonly referred to as “black mold,” stachybotrys is one of the most dangerous types of mold and can cause flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, headaches, memory loss and severe respiratory damage. Because their lungs are still developing, children are at an even greater risk for health problems associated with exposure to black mold. As its nickname suggests, black mold is dark in color, although it can also be grey or dark green. It typically has a very musty or mildewy odor and is found in very damp areas of homes and other buildings. 2. ChaetomiumChaetomium is most commonly found in homes that have water damage, as it thrives in wet, dark environments such as drywall, wallpaper, baseboards and carpets. This type of mold is similar to black mold and sometimes even shares the same environments. Along with general signs of allergies such as red, watery eyes and trouble breathing, chaetomium spores can also cause neurological damage and certain autoimmune diseases. 3. AspergillusAlthough aspergillus spores are present in the air that many of us breathe every day, this type of mold can be dangerous to people with comprised immune systems. Exposure to aspergillus may cause allergic reactions, lung infections and a specific type of infection known as aspergillosis. 4. PenicilliumLike aspergillus, penicillium is abundant in many everyday environments, but if trapped inside your home, it can cause asthmatic symptoms, bronchitis and other respiratory problems. 5. FusariumFusarium is a type of mold that is most commonly found in plant debris and soil, although it can also be found in very damp areas of your home such as underneath carpeting, inside drywall or foam insulation and in humidifier pans and HVAC systems. Although quite rare, a serious eye infection called fusarium keratitis can result from exposure to fusarium spores. 6. AlternariaA well-known allergy-causing mold, alternaria is present in high amounts in many climate zones during the spring and summer. Although this type of mold is usually not found in building materials, it is can be present in the air inside your home and may also be found in electric cables, cardboard, canvas and other textiles. If you have a mold allergy, your immune system overreacts when you breathe in mold spores. A mold allergy can cause coughing, itchy eyes and other symptoms that make you miserable. In some people, a mold allergy is linked to asthma and exposure causes restricted breathing and other airway symptoms.
If you have a mold allergy, the best defense is to reduce your exposure to the types of mold that cause your reaction. Medications can help keep mold allergy reactions under control. While mold requires moisture to grow and thrive, it does not necessarily die without it.
Mold is highly resilient and can enter a dormant state when conditions become unfavorable – such as when moisture is no longer available. During this dormant state, mold will suspend its growth and metabolic activities. Once moisture is reintroduced, such as through a water leak or increased humidity, the dormant mold spores can reactivate and resume their growth and colonization. Therefore, simply drying out a mold-infested area is not enough to prevent the return of mold. It’s just a temporary fix. To effectively address mold issues, the underlying issue must be addressed. It is advisable to contact us to help identify the location and scope of the problem, as well as determine the best remediation plan. Health effects associated with exposure to indoor damp spaces and mold
Molds and other fungi grow easily in damp indoor environments. People who spend time in such environments sometimes complain of respiratory effects, headaches, and other physical symptoms. In addition to visible or hidden mold, damp spaces likely harbor mold break-down products, dust mites, bacteria, and chemicals, gasses, and particulate matter released from the materials on which molds are growing. Given the difficulties in testing for all of these elements, hard evidence of precise cause-and-effect can be elusive. In an extensive 2004 report, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) did not find enough evidence to identify health effects which were definitely caused by spending time in damp indoor spaces. However, the experts found that being in damp indoor spaces seemed related to respiratory illnesses: nose and throat [upper respiratory] symptoms, cough, wheeze, and asthma symptoms. They also found limited evidence that these environments can be associated with shortness of breath, the development of asthma in people who did not previously suffer from it, and lower respiratory symptoms (coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath) in healthy children. Based on available research, IOM was not able to substantiate claims of numerous other symptoms such as skin irritations, fatigue, cancer, lung disease, or respiratory infections. There was enough evidence of health effects overall, though, that IOM identified damp indoor spaces as a public health problem that needs to be addressed.7 Publications in 2007, 2010, and 2011 did not substantially change those findings.8,9,10,11 They reiterate that there is evidence to support an association between damp spaces, indoor mold, and respiratory illnesses. Therefore, whether the precise cause is mold or an accompanying indoor contaminant, spending time in places damp enough to support the growth of mold is a potential cause of ill health. Whether or not mold is actually seen, finding and fixing the sources of excess moisture are important for health and to keep the structure from being further damaged. Researchers note that, if dampness and mold could be confirmed as a cause of ill health, controlling these conditions would make a substantial contribution to public health. MOLD IN TOILET: WHAT CAUSES IT?We must first understand that mold is a fungus. Mold spores and mildew grow in dark, humid places (such as the bowl and tank). When you’ve been away for even a few days on vacation, black mold may be seen in your toilet bowl or tank.
Because mold thrives in damp and dark places, your toilet bowl and tank are ideal breeding grounds for it. If you don’t have proper ventilation or exhaust fans in your bathrooms, these damp and dark places can help create the ideal environment for mold growth. Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets can and be carried indoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.
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