Have mold? You need Accurate Adjusters ASAP!
Mold is a natural organism that can be found everywhere (inside or out). It can grow on almost any substance when moisture is present. Molds reproduce by airborne spores. When these spores land on a moist surface that is suitable for life, they begin to grow. Mold is normally found indoors at levels that do not affect most healthy individuals. However, water damage and high humidity often create an environment where mold flourishes indoors, causing significant property damage and potential health hazards.
Black mold is a greenish-black fungus that often infiltrates drywall, carpet, wallpaper, fiberboard, ceiling tiles, and insulation. The black mold fungus is wet, slimy to the touch, and potentially toxic. It also has a musty odor and is unsightly when visible (though it’s often hidden from sight).
Toxic mold grows in areas where the humidity is above 55 percent which is common with waterline and pipe breaks or after a hurricane. The toxic mold risk is especially high in areas where flooding has occurred. Because common building materials are capable of sustaining mold growth, and mold spores are ubiquitous, mold growth in an indoor environment is typically related to water or moisture indoors. Mold growth may also be caused by the incomplete drying of flooring materials such as concrete. Flooding, leaky roofs, building maintenance problems, or indoor plumbing problems can lead to indoor mold growth.
For significant mold growth to occur, there must be:
- A water source – This includes either standing water or invisible humidity.
- A food source – Mold eats common building materials such as drywall. For example, invisible dust and cellulose in carpet are food sources for mold.
- A substrate capable of sustaining growth – Common building materials such as plywood, drywall, furring strips, cabinets, furniture, carpets, and carpet padding are common substrates that support mold colonies.
After a water event (such as a broken pipe) causes water damage in a building, mold may grow inside walls and then become dormant until a subsequent incident of high humidity occurs. This illustrates how the right conditions reactivate mold. When this happens, mold appears to be a sudden problem long after a previous flood or water incident.
Excessive mold can make living or working in a mold-infested property dangerous to your family or employees. It is also costly to remediate, and challenging to prove to your insurance company.
Because of its expense, many insurance companies have changed their water damage and mold coverage’s, adding exclusions and conditions that you may not be aware of. Because moisture and mold are often hidden behind walls, it takes an expert to know what to look for and where to look. Public adjusters have your best interests at heart and use a variety of tools and techniques to find, remediate, document, claim, and prove all of your water damage and mold losses. Water and mold claims in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina require the finesse and expertise of a professional.
Inhaling or touching toxic mold may cause health problems for you and your family or employees. If you notice mold or smell it in your home or office, contact us right away.
Accurate Adjusters has trained professionals that have been helping policyholders with mold claims for years. Water and mold damage is our specialty!