Mold damage

Molds in any home can cause mild to severe hygiene, sanitation and health problems, apart from also being the primary cause for structural damage. This is because mold can reproduce fast as the mold spores spread in the air and moisture present in the environment and cling to other similar surfaces, if not treated and fixed at the earliest.

Nature of Mold and types of damage possibilities by it

Mold, at its basic explanatory best, is fungi that reproduce by releasing tiny spores into the air and when these spores land on moist objects, they may begin to grow. There are thousands of different types of mold and we encounter many of them every day, in our homes and outdoors. The real estate community is abuzz with talk about insurance and liability issues involving Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as black mold or toxic mold, is a deadly mold, causing severe health damage to all exposed to it. Some homeowners are know to have even burned down their homes, and everything in them, because they felt it was the only way to eradicate toxic mold from their surroundings. Juries have awarded huge sums of money to homeowners who initiated lawsuits against their insurance companies, with most awards given to people whose insurer did not pay for moisture-related repairs in time to prevent severe mold problems. Awards have also gone against homebuilders when juries felt that shoddy workmanship contributed to the mold. Mold damage has become such a common and severe problem for so many Americans that most homeowner policies now include a clause that excludes or limits payments for mold-related issues. While mold is a problem, in most instances its growth can be prevented or stopped before it causes excessive damage.

Places susceptible to mold damage

Homes that have been flooded are at serious risk for molds, especially in areas when are high humidity and temperatures as these provide the mold with the perfect place to reproduce before cleanup begins. The houses suffering the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, some of which are still flooded by water, are a perfect example places likely to suffer extreme damage from mold.

Tips to discourage mold growth and prevent mold damage

Installation of a dehumidifier in chronically moist rooms can help prevent mold build up and potential damage that could have been caused in the home. Avoid carpeting damp areas and insulate pipes and other cold surfaces to discourage condensation. Installing storm windows eliminates condensation on glass and the covering of crawl space with plastic ensures sanitation and good circulation of dry air, needed to prevent mold growth and stem damage.

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