In recent years the insurance industry put extreme limitations on property damages caused by mold.  But mold is not always the primary cause of the loss.  You may have a water leak which manifested itself into a mold issue warranting extensive treatment and repairs.  The treatment may be limited under the policy but the water damaged area is not.

Mold can quickly grow in areas where there is uncontrolled moisture. Within as short as forty eight hours mold can begin to harvest on surfaces such as drywall, wood, paper and other porous materials. Mold is also capable of growing on concrete, glass, carpeting, and metal surfaces. Depending on the food source (protein) and the amount of moisture mold can grow at a rapid pace and quickly create large scale disasters for property owners. One of the best ways to identify the need to call in a property restoration firm is to measure the area of mold contamination. As a general rule of thumb, if the contaminated area is larger than twenty square feet you will need to utilize an expert mold remediation firm.

The process of mold removal from a property is going to vary significantly. Extreme mold growth areas will require the assistance of a bio hazard team to conduct a mold growth report. This report will identify the type of mold growth and provide guidance on the best method for removing this growth from a property. In cases of sever mold growth, it is not uncommon for all building materials to be extracted and replaced. In some situations, this could mean sanding wood frames and concrete surfaces.

Cleaning and removing mold growth from a property requires specialized equipment. Due to the immediate health risks that mold can create by entering the lungs it is imperative that workers utilize breathing masks for protection. Different types of mold can be more hazardous to deal with and require specialized cleaning . Small areas of growth in a home or business can be cleaned with a strong detergent based cleaner. Simply utilizing bleach will not ensure that the mold spores have been properly cleaned and removed as the bleach will simply discolor the mold spores, but not remove them from the affected structure.

Small or undetected water leaks are often the largest contributor to mold growth. One of the best ways to prevent mold growth is to trust your sense of smell as mold and mildew will leave a musty odor. Routine visual inspection of plumbing and foundations is also a good step towards preventing mold growth. To effectively clean and remove mold growth, the moisture source must be identified and repaired.

Insurance companies are often too quick to tell you that mold is excluded under the policy but fail to advise you as to how coverage can be afforded you.  PublicAdjusters.com can assist you on your mold damage claim by assessing your needs and advising you of the best course of action  to document your mold loss.  We will best know if outside assistance of experts are required and necessary.