What Should You Do If Your Home Has a Mold Problem?

What Should You Do If Your Home Has a Mold Problem?

If you are a homeowner and suspect that your home has a mold problem, let’s discuss what you should do. First, document and photograph the mold as well as any potential sources of excess moisture that might be causing mold, such as a roof leak. Notify your homeowner’s insurance of the mold immediately. If you have a home warranty, contact them and writing as well. Make sure to keep copies of any correspondence with any adjusters, warranty representatives, contractors or any other persons involved in handling or investigating your mold claim.

Get a mold report from a qualified mold professional or environmentalist. This mold report will help in a number of ways. It will help to determine if any of the molds are toxic requiring you and your loved ones to seek alternative accommodations. It will help to determine if your personal property, such as furniture has been contaminated or requires professional cleaning or remediation. It will help to determine the scope and location of the mold contamination in your home as mold can be hidden in wall cavities or other inaccessible areas. Mold report will help to identify sources of excess, moisture and potential sources of the mold.

Mold needs water to survive and it will also help to develop a mold remediation protocol or plan for eliminating all of the mold in your home. Make sure to determine the defects causing the mold. Mold needs water to survive. So remediating mold before eliminating the water source is like bailing water out of a boat without first fixing the hole. If neither you, your environmentalist nor your adjuster can determine the source of the mold, they consider contacting an engineer.

As a homeowner you have a responsibility to maintain your home. So determining the defects in water source is responsible for the mold is critical to determine whether or not someone else is at fault for your injuries and owes you compensation for them. For example, if a new water heater verse flooding your basement, the manufacturer or installer may be liable to you for your damages. If your insurance carrier, home warranty company or some other insurer fails to fulfill their duties to cover your losses, you may also have a legal claim. So if someone else’s negligence has contaminated your home with mold, or your insurance company or warranty company has failed to properly cover you for your mold losses, then call us with your mold story.