Attics are not a place where homeowners spend much time. In fact, you may have never been in your attic! Here’s why you should at least give it a check: attics are an ideal space for mold growth. Improper ventilation, leaks in your roof and improper indoor ventilation can cause mold to grow and spread. Eventually, if unnoticed and untreated, the mold may seep through your ceiling, at that point, it’s a big job to fix. Here are 3 ways to prevent attic mold before it begins! …
Mold In The News
Welcome to another installment of Mold in the news! A story from usnews.com hits home this week as children (and parents) prepare to go back to school with reports of Mold found in schools that had mold issues the previous year. While many may rush to judgment on the school system, it’s important to note that this year, the same school district voluntarily re-tested to ensure schools will be able to open on time this year and pose no health threat to the children and staff. One report suggests that the culprit is an old heating/ventilation system that is not properly removing moisture from the air. …
Home Owners Insurance & Mold
Home Owners throughout the years have found out the hard way that problems they thought would be covered under insurance may not actually be covered. There are many rules and steps that need to be followed from the beginning in order to be able to use your homeowner’s insurance for coverage. We advise all customers to review their individual home owner’s policy or call their insurance company to understand exactly what is covered when it comes to mold.
Some insurance companies allow claims for water damage, as you know from reading our blogs, moisture from water damage in the home is a prime accelerant for mold growth. Once water damage is found in the home immediate steps should be taken to find out the source. New water damage should be taken care of immediately, and drying the are out within 24 hours is important in preventing mold growth.
If an area of water damage is found that seems to have been a recurring or long-term issue, this is when a mold assessment should be performed. Although you may not see mold, the extent of long-lived water damage may reach further into walls, floors, etc. where you may not be able to see yourself.
Always do research on the mold assessment company that you choose and make sure that you ask to see their mold assessor license number so that you can confirm they are in fact licensed. If you do have an insurance claim involved, using a licensed professional for assessment is generally required.
That being said, HNST Mold Inspections is a licensed NYSDOL Mold Assessor as well as Inspector. We perform our services in New York and New Jersey. Contact us today for your mold assessment or inspection.
Pets and Mold
Generally speaking, mold is found in certain locations that provide an adequate supply of organic material or moisture. These areas are rooms like your kitchen, bathroom, and basements. Dust, food particles, hair, body oils, etc. build up in these areas and just by adding moisture can become a breeding ground for mold. If you are a pet owner, there are just a few more places for you to beware of when thinking about mold.
Here are our tips on keeping your pets healthy and preventing mold around the areas your pets live!
- Aquariums- If you have an aquarium, you know the green or brown algae that can build up on the sides or top of the tank. These organic substances plus the water in the tank, make a wonderful spot for mold to grow. Keep your aquarium clean by doing preventative maintenance and possibly adding a cleaner fish to the aquarium to aid in the job.
- Dry Tank- Reptiles and amphibians are usually kept in a dry tank. While this is an easier place to prevent mold due to the lack of water, keep in mind the organic substances. Any shed skin, uneaten food or dying plant life should be removed immediately. If water is provided to the tanked animal, change the water every day to keep it fresh.
- Cages- Rabbits, dogs, birds or other animals kept in cages all have one thing in common, feces. Feces are especially high in plant content from animals such as these and can be a great place for mold to grow.
It’s important to remember that the multitude of mold spores moving throughout the air both indoors and out are almost impossible to avoid. The key to preventing mold is to keep your home clean and dry, especially in places that are prone to mold. We hope that you are better able to identify ancillary places that mold can grow.