During recent years, lawsuits related to mold and other pesky microbes have spread across courts in the same way mold spreads through a home, causing some legal experts to wonder if these claims will outpace the asbestos litigation they’ve seen over the past two decades.
Many of these lawsuits are being initiated by homeowners who believe the mold growth resulted from faulty design, construction, or repair of the home. Other lawsuits arise because the homeowners discover that the previous owners and/or the real estate agents involved were aware of the presence of toxic mold and failed to disclose it.
Most of these cases revolve around a recurring theme: Certain conditions fostered the growth of toxic mold, causing building damage and personal injury.
How Can Mold Affect Your Health?
Many of these molds have been found to cause adverse health reactions including allergies, asthma attacks, brain damage and even death. People with known health problems related to “sick building syndrome” or indoor air quality are perfect candidates for a toxic mold reaction.
How Does Mold Spread?
Generally speaking, toxic mold requires three elements to flourish: Moisture, a temperate climate, and a food source (usually wood, paper, or other carbon/cellulose-based material). Mold establishes quickly, sometimes in less than 48 hours. Under ideal conditions, it flourishes and spreads rapidly.
The EPA Warns…
If you believe you have a mold problem, act quickly. Mold damages what it grows on. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), small areas of mold, 10 square feet and smaller can be cleaned up by the homeowner, provided certain precautions are taken like wearing gloves and assuring adequate ventilation.
Call a contractor for help if the mold problem is:
- Covering an area larger than 10 square feet.
- In the heating/air conditioning/ventilation (HVAC) system.
- Related to sewage.
In the meantime, if you have these conditions, don’t turn on the HVAC system or you risk spreading the problem throughout the home. If you suspect the mold has caused a health problem, do not clean up until you have consulted a physician.
(For more information, the EPA website provides specific directions for dealing with mold so you can protect your home and health from mold damage.)
| Ways to Protect Your Home From Mold Many steps can be taken to prevent mold while a home is under construction. But occupied homes, new and old, also need protection. Here are 10 ways to help control moisture and manage mold build-up. 1. Operate heating/ air conditioning/ ventilation (HVAC) equipment, including humidification or dehumidification systems. Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and drain lines unobstructed and flowing freely. 2. Inspect and deal promptly with roof leaks, plumbing leaks, water damage, mold smells, visible mold growth, high humidity, as well as wet basements, crawl spaces and attics. 3. Monitor your family’s health. Watch for symptoms such as itchy eyes, sinus problems, headaches, nose congestion, rashes, sores, breathing difficulties, memory problems, chronic fatigue, and feeling disconnected. Sensitivity to mold varies and not everyone experiences symptoms. 4. Kill all visible growth, as well as invisible spores, with an effective cleaning solution and remove and discard mold-damaged materials. The worst infestations are often in floors, ceilings, walls and ducts. 5. Operate the sump pump and water valves. 6. Maintain gutters and channel rainwater away from foundations. 7. Keep indoor humidity below 60%. Inexpensive moisture or humidity meters are available at hardware stores. 8. Properly use lawn hoses and pressure-washing equipment to clean exteriors. 9. Act quickly if you notice condensation or moisture on windows, pipes, or walls. Dry the area as much as possible. Cover cold surfaces with insulation. 10. Consider installing high-capacity ultraviolet lights to help kill airborne mold spores and other biological threats as well as HEPA filters, which can help keep out airborne pollutants in return air ducts. |