What homeowners should know about mold

While the news media is reporting on mold discoveries in homes and schools and experts debate its health implications, the insurance industry is wrestling with mold coverage and litigation issues. However, proper precautions could prevent this potentially dangerous and costly problem from affecting your homeowners customers.

Doug Nickerson, a claim program manager and loss control specialist with General Casualty Insurance Company, says the key to mold prevention is acting quickly when water damage strikes. He also stresses the importance of homeowners taking routine preventative measures to control moisture levels in their homes. Moisture is a key contributing factor in mold growth.

Clean up water damage immediately

"Time is of the essence when you have water damage," Nickerson says. He's seen mold cases develop from burst pipes while a family is away on vacation because the damage simply wasn't cleaned up in time.

With a flooded basement or other serious water damage, affected areas and items should be cleaned and dried as soon as possible. Nickerson recommends homeowners seek the services of a professional water damage cleaning and restoration company. In the meantime, the homeowner should shut off the water source if possible, turn off ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and keep out of areas where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

According to the National Centers for Disease Control, in many cases molds can be removed by thorough cleaning with a bleach and water solution. The New York City Department of Health recommends a detergent/soapy solution or appropriate household cleaner and emphasizes wearing gloves during the cleanup process. Absorbent materials exposed to mold, such as ceiling tile and carpet, may have to be replaced.

While each situation is different, Nickerson urges policyholders to contact the company as soon as a covered loss occurs so immediate steps can be taken to prevent further damage. All claims are handled on an individual, case-by-case basis, because no two claims are alike.

Prevent water damage from becoming a problem

Homeowners can take several steps to prevent a flooding situation or moisture problem from developing.
· Fix leaks and seepage as soon as they're discovered.
· Inspect appliances routinely to make sure they are not leaking or dripping moisture, and that they are working properly. Nickerson notes that malfunctioning sump pumps and sewers commonly cause flooding.
· Be aware of routine home maintenance issues - for example, are the windows, gutters, roof and chimney in good shape? In the wintertime, take care of ice dams and turn off the water lines to outside hose spigots. Both of these are known causes for moisture problems leading to mold.
· Maintain humidity levels with a dehumidifier and/or air conditioning, especially in hot, humid climates.
· Be sure your home has a source of fresh air, and open doors between rooms and closet doors to increase circulation.

For more information

Chances are, we'll continue to read headlines about mold and its impact on our health, homes, laws and the insurance industry. Some insurance associations, including the National Association of Independent Insurers, encourage research on mold prevention. To keep up-to-date on the latest developments or for more information, Nickerson recommends visiting www.moldupdate.com.

Article provided by General Casualty Insurance Company. General Casualty is a regional property and casualty insurance provider headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wis. We operate exclusively through the independent agency system and offer a complete line of property and casualty insurance products for homes, autos and businesses. More than 10,000 agents market our products in 12 Midwestern and six Eastern states. For more information, visit www.generalcasualty.com.