Tips for Effective Mold Management

Many homeowners and builders have been caught off guard by the recent information about the health problems associated with mold. Once thought of as a mostly harmless fungus, mold is now known to cause heath problems in humans and to be the cause of structural damage to buildings and homes. Mold management is necessary to insure that buildings and humans are not at an elevated risk for problems.

Effective Mold Management

The best way to manage mold is to get control over the moisture levels in a building or home. Regular inspection of areas prone to dampness and moisture will keep mold from growing and will prevent any mold that does start to form from becoming a huge problem. Musty odors, sudden respiratory problems, and staining of walls are all signs of a potential mold and water problem.

Research into mold prevention methods has become a top priority due to the fact that so much litigation has occurred among homeowners, insurance companies and builders. If mold is detected early, it can usually be removed with a diluted bleach solution. The area must be dried completely in order to prevent the mold from returning. The moisture source must be eradicated. Be sure to properly dispose of all mold contaminated items in order to prevent the spread of mold into other areas.

Mold Management and Insurance Companies

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover mold removal and cleanup. If mold is a direct result of a covered loss, sometimes insurance companies will pay. Litigation over mold issues pertaining to Stachybotrys chartarum (the type of mold associated with health problems) has awarded homeowners large sums of money when the insurance companies did not investigate and pay claims for mold repairs in a timely manner.

Mold Management Steps

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), mold is everywhere -- indoors and outdoors. In both instances, mold is found growing in damp areas with low light levels. Outdoors, this is in shady damp areas around trees or fallen logs or stumps. Indoors, this is near leaky pipes and the inside of walls in areas known to be moisture laden like bathrooms and basements. Reducing the moisture and humidity levels in these rooms is important. A dehumidifier and an ionic filter or ozone filter will help manage any mold issues the homeowner might have.

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