There are more than 100,000 species of mold of which at least 1,000 are common in the United States. Many molds are vital to our everyday life and are used in the production of everything from baked goods to penicillin.
Molds are everywhere and have been since the beginning of time. But when molds find their way inside your home the damage can be extensive if left untreated. Within minutes of water intrusion the damage can begin.
Can mold really make you sick?
- Though various types of molds may grow in homes, homeowners will seldom find it in concentrations high enough to affect their health.
- The basic rule is if you can see it or smell it, take steps to eliminate the excess moisture and to clean up and remove the mold.
- In most cases mold can be easily removed by thoroughly cleaning with a solution of 1/4 cup household bleach to 1 quart of water.
- Mold growing in homes and buildings almost always indicates there's a water leak or the presence of excessive moisture. The conditions allowing the mold should first be repaired to prevent the mold from growing.
- While molds can commonly cause allergy symptoms similar to hay fever in some people, no documented cases or scientific evidence definitively links mold exposure to more serious illness.(1)
- The Arizona Department of Health Services has found that in all but the most extreme cases, even heavy mold concentrations will cause only hay fever or cold-type symptoms such as watery eyes and stuffy noses.
- If your immune system has been compromised and you are susceptible to air-quality issues, see your physician.
Mold is everywhere
For most people, mold is an everyday occurrence that is generally ignored.
Airborne mold spores, much like pollen, dust or animal dander can trigger allergic reactions. Mold spores seldom get into the body in high enough levels to cause harm. Very few cases of indoor mold have been shown to cause serious human health problems and they usually involve someone who ate very old food laced with mold spores, according to the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Many types of mold, like Stachybotrys (black mold), don’t ever become airborne and therefore, aren’t likely to be inhaled. Even if they are, it is nearly impossible for them to enter the human body in large enough quantities to cause any serious illness.
Mold and the insurance industry
From an insurance perspective, damage from mold, like rust, rot and mildew is specifically excluded in standard homeowners and commercial property policies. Mold contamination is covered under these policies only if it is the result of a covered peril. For example, the costs of cleaning up mold caused by water from a burst pipe – because a burst pipe is considered sudden and accidental - are covered.
Conversely, cleanup of mold caused by a leaky drain, faulty appliance connection, excessive humidity, condensation or flooding is a maintenance issue for the property owner (similar to termite or mildew prevention) and is not covered. Most people routinely clean up mold before it grows large enough to become a nuisance. Caught early, mold usually can be removed by a thorough cleaning with household bleach and water.
To avoid confusion for their customers, many insurers are inserting clarifying language in their homeowners and commercial property policies. Some companies may decide to cover all old claims and price the policy accordingly. Others may exclude mold, but offer an attachment (sometimes called an endorsement) to the policy, that allows you to add the coverage. Still other companies may provide a tighter definition of what is and what is not covered. While some insurers may prefer to create an absolute exclusion, most major insurers have announced some form of restriction on writing water damage policies.
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