Water Damage Mold Cleanup and Restoration MN Part 3
Water Damage Mold Insurance Claims Continued from Water Damage Mold Cleanup and Restoration Part 1 and Part 2 Water damage, Mold Damage and Flood Damage are some of the most common reasons people make claims on their home insurance. Frozen, broken or burst pipes, leaky appliances and flooded basements are just a few of the ways you could discover exactly what is and is not covered by your home insurance policy. One of the worst effects of water damage comes in the form of mold. If your home has water damage, mold could develop in as short of a time as 24 – 48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it may continue to grow until steps are taken to thoroughly dry out the premises and eliminate the source of moisture. Mold is certainly not new—it’s been around for hundreds of millions of years—but the sharp rise in mold claims is definitely a 21st -century phenomenon. Multi-million dollar jury awards, sensationalized reporting in the media and profiteering by some individuals have led to an explosion in mold claims and costs. In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mold [PDF, 2.52 MB]. Homeowners Insurance: Is Mold Covered? Whether mold is covered by homeowners insurance often comes down to the source of moisture and the wording of a policy. Mold needs 3 things to thrive – moisture, food and oxygen Mold needs 3 things to thrive. All three of the basic elements – moisture, food and oxygen — MUST be present to support mold growth. If that moisture remains for 24-48 hours you will likely begin to have a mold problem. Problems can arise for homeowners when the presence of persistent moisture goes undetected or unresolved, leading to widespread mold growth. Moisture can result from high indoor humidity, flooding, or a leaky roof or dishwasher. Mold, like rot and insect infestation, is generally not covered by a homeowners insurance policy. Standard homeowners policies provide coverage for disasters that are sudden and accidental. They are not designed to cover the cost of cleaning and maintaining a home. If, however, mold is the direct result of a covered peril such as a burst pipe, there could be coverage for the cost of eliminating the mold. Clean Up Water Damage Now To Avoid Mold! Regardless of how the water damage happened, it is important to take similar steps to remedy it. Never ignore indications of an obvious water problem in your home. You should immediately attempt to find and stop leaks at their source. Properly dry or remove soaked carpets, padding and upholstery within 24-48 hours after a flood to prevent mold growth. Anything that can’t be properly dried should be discarded. Just letting items dry out will not remove the mold, and mold will grow again anytime there is enough moisture in the air, such as on humid days. Remove standing water as quickly as possible. Standing water is a breeding ground for microorganisms, which can become airborne and inhaled. Wash and disinfect all areas that have been flooded. This includes walls, floors, closets, shelves, as well as heating and air-conditioning systems. If you have...
Read MoreWater Damage Mold Cleanup and Restoration MN Part 2
Water Damage Mold Insurance Claims Continued from Water Damage Mold Cleanup and Restoration MN Part 1 Mold has recently emerged as the dominant cost driver in some states. Mold is certainly not new—it’s been around for hundreds of millions of years—but the sharp rise in mold claims is definitely a 21st -century phenomenon. Multi-million dollar jury awards, sensationalized reporting in the media and profiteering by some individuals have led to an explosion in mold claims and costs. Water Damage & Mold “Mold is Gold” has become the popular mantra of trial lawyers and no wonder. The true magnitude of the problem is obvious — there has been a 300% increase in mold-related lawsuits during the past three years. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there are 10,000 such cases pending today nationwide (“Lawsuits, Insurance Claims Over Mold Damage on the Rise, USA Today,July 17, 2003.) The cost to the construction industry is staggering. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent each year on mold litigation, claims and remediation. It’s hard to put a precise dollar figure on mold damage because most insurers don’t separate mold claims from water-damage claims, according to Claire Wilkinson of the Insurance Information Institute. About 22% of all homeowners insurance claims result from “water damage and freezing,” a category that includes mold remediation. A 2003 white paper on mold from the III put the cost of the average mold claim between $15,000 and $30,000, at least five times the average non-mold homeowners claim at that time. Fixing Water Damage NOW Prevents Mold Problems Later! Mold Can’t Grow Where Mold Can’t Eat! Unlike asbestos and other materials that have been the focus of “toxic” tort litigation and construction defect claims, mold is naturally occurring. The three elements necessary for mold growth—food, air and water— are found in every building. In fact, mold is everywhere. Because mold is always present, it is impossible to conceive of anyone who has not been exposed to some form of mold. Eliminating mold growth, or even the possibility of mold growth, is a key component of water damage restoration. The most effective way to prevent mold growth on water damage losses is to begin the drying process quickly. Restoration companies who are aware of possible mold growth problems usually know how to dry structural materials with heat, air movement and by lowering the indoor relative humidity. This is an effective way to dry a building because material removal is minimized and mold growth is retarded. Water damage is hazardous to health and dangerous for any home or business, therefore time is of the essence when it occurs. Within minutes of water intrusion, damage can begin. Unwelcome moisture starts by staining ceilings, walls, and floors, and then can turn into dangerous mold growth. It only takes mold 24 to 48 hours to grow in the right moisture conditions. Chances are, if you can’t see the mold and have a musty smell, that you have “hidden” mold. Hidden mold tends to be located in the air ducts, on the back side of dry wall, paneling or wallpaper, on the underside of carpets and pads, behind furniture, just to name a few locations. The long-term health issues associated with mold can be reduced by ensuring that a proper cleanup is done. If you suspect you have a mold problem from hidden water damage, it is always best to hire a qualified and experienced specialist that is knowledgeable in the latest water extraction and drying methods. A Certified (IICRC) Water Damage Restoration Professional can help you locate the water source, do the necessary testing and...
Read MoreWater Damage Mold Cleanup and Restoration MN Part 1
Water Damage Mold Insurance Claims Water damage claims are probably the most common claims made under homeowners’ policies in the country. Over the past 12 years, insurers paid out more than $100 billion in catastrophe-related losses—about $700 million per month—many times more than in previous decades. Most water damages are caused due to frozen, broken or burst pipes, leaky appliances and flooded basements. In fact, frozen and broken water pipes rank No. 2 only behind hurricanes in terms of both the number of homes damaged and the amount of insurance claim costs in the U.S. In most cases, pipes break during freezing weather. A third, and probably most devastating, type of water claim is from flooding. Flooding is also probably the most misunderstood of the types of water claims. The reason for the misunderstanding is that flood is not normally covered by most insurance policies. To have flood coverage, it is usually necessary to have special flood coverage. A good rule of thumb in trying to determine if there is coverage for water damage is, “If the water comes down, it might be covered. If it comes up, it is usually not covered.” The exception to this is the backup of sewers or drains. On some policies, drain backup is covered. The first goal is to avert serious health problems that can be caused by mold, mildew, fungus or contaminated water. Water damage never comes at a convenient time! But when it does, it needs to be done right or the lingering odor or telltale marks that can significantly reduce the value of your property. Insured Bill of Rights You need a restoration expert that works for you to protect your interest. Under The law, it is your right to choose what company will perform work in your home or business. The Insured Bill of Rights states that you have the right to choose! When deciding which restoration company will suit your needs best, look for a qualified and reputable company, that will stand behind work performed and warranty responsibilities. Click here to view the Insured Bill of Rights PDF Insurance Damage Repair Bill of...
Read MoreWater Damage Mold In Your Minnesota Home Part 3
Mold and Hidden Water Damage Mold From Ongoing Minor or Hidden Water Damage Continued from Water Damage Mold In Your Minnesota Home Part 1 Virtually everyone has some type of mold or another somewhere in their home. Although not all types are toxic, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish types without lab testing. Black molds can develop from water intrusion like water seepage, improper drainage and irrigation, plumbing leaks, basement flooding, rain and condensation issues. While toxic mold is less common than other mold species, it is not rare. For that reason, it is imperative to treat and remove all molds as if they are potentially harmful. Regardless of the type of mold found, a home containing mold is essentially not a healthy home. Exterior Water Intrusion Mold can grow on any wet building materials. Once it is discovered, it must be addressed quickly and appropriately. Delayed or improper treatment of mold issues can multiply repair costs significantly. When building materials such as wood siding, brick, concrete block and stucco are exposed to moisture sources from outdoors, over time that moisture can penetrate exterior walls and enter the wall cavity, creating perfect conditions for mold growth in between exterior and interior walls. Eventually the moisture and mold can penetrate all the way through to the interior side of wall surfaces. By that time, extensive damage to the structure has already taken place. Water and Mold Cleanup and Repair Begin any cleanup by drying your home, including removing any water-damaged items to help facilitate drying. Water-damaged walls and floorboards will need to be thoroughly dried, and drywall will likely have to be thrown away. All wet insulation, carpet, and similar items will also have to be thrown away. If you are cleaning personal items, there will be some hard choices to make. Cloth materials can normally be cleaned by laundering them several times to remove the impact of the water. Many other porous items, such as couches, stuffed animals, papers, and some older pictures, will have to be thrown away if they have been in the water for longer than 48 hours. Remember, it is better to throw something away than have it become a source of mold in the future. The long-term health issues associated with mold can be reduced by ensuring that a proper cleanup is done. If you suspect you have a mold problem from hidden water damage, it is always best to hire a qualified and experienced specialist that is knowledgeable in the latest water extraction and drying methods. If your home was flooded for longer than 48 hours, you will probably need to consult a Certified (IICRC) Water Damage Restoration Professional. A proper inspection can help detect water intrusion issues early, saving thousands of dollars in repairs costs. Some of this information was quoted from an article called “Is Indoor Mold Contamination a Threat to Health?” by Harriet M. Ammann, Ph.D., D.A.B.T. – Senior Toxicologist at Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, Washington. Is Indoor Mold Contamination a Threat to Health.pdf Download Or for a full copy of her report in Microsoft Word format CLICK HERE Mold In The News //theforagerpress.com/bookstore/blackmold/moldnews.htm MINNESOTA Investigating and Remediating Mold in Minnesota Public Schools – State Dept. of Health Molds In Our Environment //www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm Health Effects of Mold //www.weather.com/activities/health/allergies/mold/health_effects.html Frequently Asked Questions about Black Mold //theforagerpress.com/bookstore/blackmold/moldfaq.htm Mold In The News //theforagerpress.com/bookstore/blackmold/moldnews.htm MINNESOTA Investigating and Remediating Mold in Minnesota Public Schools – State Dept. of Health...
Read MoreWater Damage Mold In Your Minnesota Home Part 2
Water Damage Mold As the weather turns cooler, one of the “fast and furious” water leaks that homeowners encounter occurs when a pipe freezes and bursts. Whether you have had a small leak in one of your pipes or a full out flood, water damage mold is nothing to be taken lightly. Mold can be very persistent and hard to get rid of and it can also be hazardous to your health. Not only that but if left unchecked, mold will ruin any surface it grows on. What Is Mold? Mold is a fungi whose job it is to decompose things. We often think of it as decomposing vegetables, bread and other foods that have been left around but when it gets into your home, mold can decompose your carpets, your drywall, your clothing, your books and any other organic surface in your home. Mold loves more sure which is why water damage mold is so common in flooded areas. Since mold spores are always present outside, it doesn’t take too much for them to get inside. All they need is a moist area, some organic material and the temperature of between two and 40°C. Needless to say, you don’t have to experience a major flood to get mold in your home. What To Do If you have mold in your home whether it’s from a flooded basement, heavy melting ice, or maybe a burst pipe, you want to assess the extent of the damage. Get into the area and see how bad the mold is. If it is excessive, you probably want to check your insurance policy to see if mold damage is covered and then call the insurance company. In many cases, hiring a mold remediation company is necessary to remove the mold safely. If you just have a minor leak at a pipe that has caused a little area of mold that you may be able to remove yourself. The first thing is to be sure of where the mold this. Remember, it can grow on wood, drywall, carpeting, fabrics and books so you want to check to make sure if any of these items around that they do not have mold on them. When removing the moldy items, you want to be sure that you seal them in a bag so that the mold spores do not become airborne and find another place to grow in your house. If it is a big job, you want to section off the entire area and be sure to have ventilation to the outside. Also, wear protective clothing when cleaning or removing mold as water damage mold can be very hazardous to your health. One of the worst outcomes of a leak or natural disaster is water damage mold. That’s because mold can be persistent, is hazardous to your health and is often difficult and costly to get rid of. It only takes mold 24 to 48 hours to grow in the right moisture conditions. Chances are, if you can’t see the mold and have a musty smell, that you have “hidden” mold. Hidden mold tends to be located in the air ducts, on the back side of dry wall, paneling or wallpaper, on the underside of carpets and pads, behind furniture, just to name a few locations. A Water Damage Restoration Expert can help you locate the water source, do the necessary testing and help you remove the mold from your home before it has an opportunity to do any further damage. Mold loves moisture and it needs an organic surface to live on. That means that...
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