Article for November

When it comes to keeping your home mold-free, a strong offense is definitely your best bet.   There are many different types of mold, and it really is everywhere, so there is basically no chance that your home will be truly mold free, but if you can eliminate the harmful ones, the battle is essentially won.

The key to dealing with harmful mold is to eliminate its source, which is usually a water leak or moisture accumulation. Most of the time, the leaks come from cracked or broken plumbing or the roof needs replacing. Moisture accumulation may also come from poorly ventilated parts of the home, damp rugs, or seepage through the floor or foundation.

The affected area must usually be dried, cleaned or replaced. It is important to dispose of any material with moldy residue, such as rags, paper, or debris. Caught early enough, that usually takes care of the problem.

Since mold allergies often mimic symptoms of many other common problems, like asthma, the common cold, or chronic bronchitis, many people do not even realize there is a problem until the mold has permeated most of the structure of the home. Unfortunately, at that point, the only way to guarantee eliminating the mold is to have the whole house demolished, along with its contents and foundation, and rebuild a new one.

The standard homeowners policy will only cover cleanup of mold if it is caused by a covered peril, like a burst pipe. Some companies will only cover up to a certain amount of expense, so it is important to repair such damage as soon as possible.

To help prevent the growth of harmful mold, a few suggestions include using dehumidifiers or air conditioners, putting exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, not letting water accumulate under houseplants, and not installing carpets in damp areas like basements or bathrooms. Clean bathrooms with bleach, or mold killing products (use gloves), add mold inhibitors to paints before application. Check hoses, pipes and fittings around the refrigerator, water heater, washer, sinks and toilets. Keep gutters clean of leaves and debris. Keep an eye on the roof, especially after a windy storm.

In the event of a flood, remove standing water a soon as possible, remove wet carpeting, pads and upholstery as soon as possible, wash and disinfect walls, floors, shelves, etc. In many cases, you may need a professional cleaner to come in and help dry out the area. Contact your agent for references.