Having mold in your home or business can be dangerous and cause many health problems. In that case, it is important to get mold remediation done as soon as possible. Mold remediation is a process used to remove, clean, and/or repair mold-damaged items or areas of a property.
Having your property free of mold is a must, and knowing who pays for mold remediation is important. Depending on the cause of the mold growth, different entities may be responsible. In this blog, we will cover who is responsible in case of mold remediation services and if there is insurance coverage for mold remediation.
Who is Responsible for Mold Remediation?
The general rule is that responsibility for mold remediation falls on the property owner or landlord. They are the ones responsible for the maintenance of their premises, but let’s take a deeper look at the people responsible for this:
- Homeowners: The homeowner is generally responsible for caring for any mold in their residence. This includes finding the cause and getting rid of it.
- Landlords: Like homeowners, landlords ensure their properties remain safe and healthful. Landlords must ensure that any mold problem is identified and remediated in a timely manner.
- Tenants: Tenants are not responsible for any mold in the property they rent unless it is due to their negligence. Even then, the tenant may be able to receive compensation from their insurance policy.
- Home insurance policies: Many home insurance policies provide coverage for mold remediation if a covered peril, such as a broken pipe or flood, causes the mold.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Mold Remediation
The cost of mold remediation can be affected by the following factors:
The Severity of the Infestation
The extent of mold growth is a major factor in determining the cost of mold remediation. If the growth is widespread and has caused significant damage to your building’s structure, remediation will likely be more expensive.
Mold Type
Certain types of mold, such as black mold, are harder to eliminate and pose more health risks, leading to higher costs.
Location of the Mold Growth
Mold can grow in different parts of a house or building, both in places that can be seen, like walls and ceilings, and in hidden areas, like inside walls, underneath floors, air ducts, and crawl spaces. Removing mold from hard-to-reach areas like inside walls or under flooring is more difficult, which results in higher remediation costs.
Size of the Affected Area
Remediating a bigger home or building will take longer and require more resources, leading to higher costs overall. Moreover, remediation becomes more complicated and expensive when a building has multiple levels or floors.
Insurance Coverage for Mold Remediation
There is no such thing as mold removal insurance, but due to ambiguous wording, it is often unclear whether homeowners insurance policies cover mold damage. Usually, mold damage is excluded unless it results from a covered claim like water damage.
Examples of when mold is covered by home insurance:
- The walls around your water heater grow black mold after it ruptures and causes water to leak.
- After your house caught fire and the firefighters put it out using water, mold started growing.
- Your kitchen flooded due to a malfunctioning dishwasher, and now mold has grown along the base of your cabinetry.
What Happens if You Don’t Remediate Mold?
If mold is not addressed, it can quickly spread throughout a property, leading to costly repairs and potentially causing serious illnesses, particularly in children and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms such as sudden coughing, skin irritations, and difficulty breathing may indicate the presence of mold, making it important to conduct proper testing in your home.
Tips for Preventing Mold Growth in Homes or Buildings
To prevent mold growth on your property, here are some tips you might find useful:
- To maintain low humidity levels in your home throughout the day, use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to keep it at or below 50%.
- To ensure good air circulation at home, install exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen that vent outside. Also, ensure your clothes dryer vents to the outside of your home.
- Make sure to repair any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing to prevent mold growth due to excess moisture.
- After a flood, completely and rapidly clean and dry your home, preferably within 24-48 hours.
- Use products that kill mold to clean the bathrooms.
- If carpets and upholstery have been drenched and cannot be dried immediately, removing or substituting them is best. Avoid carpets in areas with high humidity, such as bathrooms or basements.
Orlando’s #1 Choice for Mold Remediation Services
Mold remediation is an important process that can help protect your home or business from the hazardous effects of mold. Knowing who pays for mold remediation and what insurance policies cover it can help determine your options if you need these services.
At Mold Remediation of Orlando, we offer high-quality mold remediation services for residential and commercial properties. Whether you need professional help with mold inspection or removal, our team of experienced professionals is here to help you. Contact us today for our expert team to help you!