What Most Homeowners Don’t Know About Mold

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

No one wants to discover that their home has mold, but it can happen for several reasons. As a homeowner, it’s important to understand mold: what it is, what causes, and what to do should mold damage happen in your home.

Mold spores are already in your home

No matter how clean your home appears, it already has mold. As a matter of fact, microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors, and outdoors, so removing all mold spores from a home or business is impossible. It’s simply a matter of addressing it when excessive mold growth becomes an issue.

Mold isn’t an indication of a dirty home 

Mold accumulation can often be caused or worsened by a failure to properly ventilate a residence after a storm, leaky appliance or pipe, or other water damage that wasn’t properly addressed. Mold can build up in stuffy bathrooms or any area where the environment is humid, warm, and poorly ventilated. It can grow behind walls and in attics where leaks go undetected. It can also grow in ceilings and walls from water floods or stormwater. Mold isn’t an indication of a dirty home; it indicates that a situation is present that has allowed the already existing mold spores to grow significantly.

You shouldn’t clean up mold on your own.

The EPA’s recommendation to clean up a moldy area of up to 9 square feet is to wipe it with a cloth dampened with a diluted bleach solution. However, any type of mold damage more substantial than that should be addressed by a mold remediation professional like SERVPRO of Phoenix. Not only can professionals address the mold damage but will work with the homeowners to determine what caused the mold growth in the first place and will work with them to address that situation to prevent potential mold damage in the future.

Insurance may not cover mold damage 

Property insurance policies do not normally cover mold, fungus, or dry rot. If a water damage incident occurs, and the damage is not discovered and ventilated soon, mold can result. The property insurance will normally refuse to cover the cost of mold remediation but will still typically cover the rest of the repairs. Every homeowner’s policy is different and because mold growth is typically caused by another underlying issue, SERVPRO can help manage the insurance paperwork and process. 

Demolition is a last resort for moldy walls and ceilings

When homeowners see mold growth on walls or ceilings, many feel the only option to get rid of the mold is to demo a large portion until it’s gone, but that’s usually not necessary! Mold remediation specialists know how to find the cause of mold growth, address and stop the growth, remove the mold, and reconstruct the damaged area, as well as address any lingering moldy odors. We follow a very specific mold remediation process that can restore a home back to normal without the need for demolition, except in more extreme cases.

Mold remediation doesn’t have to be costly

Because many believe the only option to get rid of mold is demolition, there is an unfounded belief that mold remediation is costly, but it doesn’t have to be, especially if it’s caught early and handled by professionals that know what to do. Containment, removal, and restoration can be done without breaking the bank! SERVPRO works with homeowners every step of the process, from finding the cause of the mold damage to restoration, working together to decide the best steps that are both effective and contain cost as much as possible.

If your home experiences mold damage, reach out to SERVPRO of Phoenix 24/7 to get the help you need to get your home back to normal. Contact us at 602-503-2090 to discuss your options today.