Get ahead of mold season

Spring is a season that we all look forward to after a long winter. The daylight gets longer, the flowers and trees start blooming, and we can spend more time outside. It is also a season where heavy spring rain can create lots of moisture – the perfect recipe for dormant mold to begin to grow again.

Mold in the household is more than just unsightly – it can reduce your quality of life, affect your pets, cause illness, and damage the value of your home. Learn how to spot and eradicate it.

Is your home at risk?

Each year from early spring to mid-fall, mold is a common occurrence. However, depending on your location and climate, mold can grow at any time. Mold forms when its spores become airborne and encounter moisture. That’s why it’s very important to identify areas of your home that may be subject to standing water or excessive moisture. When looking for mold, pay close attention to unusual odors and look for signs in your attic, basement, crawlspace, windows, and doors.

Household mold-related issues

Family health safety, structural issues and failed home inspections are just the beginning of the lengthy list of issues caused by mold.

Health -- It’s not just people who are allergic to mold, or who have asthma who are at high risk for illness: infants, children, elderly and immunocompromised individuals, and those with chronic lung disease are likely to be sensitive to mold. Touching or accidently inhaling mold spores can cause watery, red eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, skin rashes and asthma attacks.

Structural damage -- Ineffective treatment of moisture can lead to mold under floors and behind walls – something a standard homeowners policy doesn’t cover. Costly professional remediation may be needed.

What to do if you suspect a mold problem

In some cases, a professional inspection and testing are recommended if hidden mold is suspected. Mold detection procedures usually involve testing the air, obtaining samples from the walls, and a thorough physical inspection of attics, basements, crawlspaces, and the spaces between walls and ceilings.

Moisture and mold prevention tips

The key to mold control is controlling moisture. The following are some tips for preventing a mold problem at home.

• Quickly clean up water leaks or significant spills within 24-48 hours after occurrence and use fans to thoroughly dry the area.
• Make sure roof gutters are clear and functioning and draining properly.
• Maintain indoor humidity below 60 percent.
• Monitor air conditioning drip pans and make sure that the drain lines are unobstructed.
• Increase ventilation in bathrooms by using a running ventilation fan or opening a window. You may need to clean more frequently to keep the mold at bay.

Don’t wait until there is an issue

It’s nearly impossible to avoid exposure to mold – the spores are everywhere around us. However, you can prevent damage to your home, avoid family health issues, and save money by controlling moisture and eliminating the possibility of mold growth. Mold can be dangerous, take it seriously. Make sure you have a maintenance plan in place to help prevent serious complications from it.

Connect with a Risk Coach

Our Risk Coaches are licensed insurance professionals who are trained to look at coverage from your perspective. They’re glad to help you navigate the often-perplexing world of insurance coverage. Contact your local risk coach, or call us at 855.227.8211, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.

Electric Insurance Company Risk Coaches help you assess your current coverages and exposure to risk based on the information you provide during your discussion with them. The services provided are for informational purposes only and do not create a professional or fiduciary relationship. Incomplete information or a change in your circumstances after your meeting may affect coverage requirements or recommendations.

Product, service, program, credit, and discount availability and limits vary by state. The information provided on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not a full explanation of products, services or coverage. For more information, please contact Electric Insurance Company at 800.227.2757. If there are discrepancies between the information on this site and the policy, the terms in the policy apply.