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The Case for Mold Prevention
According to CertainTeed research, 95% of the general public surveyed favors a mold prevention program for construction. Ideas for such programs include a construction protocol, the use of mold resistant building materials, and inspection regimes with sign-offs and/or certifications.
84% of survey respondents said that, when buying an existing home, they would not
purchase a home with a history of mold, even if it could be shown that the problem was
properly remediated.
Conducted by National Opinion Research for CertainTeed Corporation, the survey revealed
that 65% of homeowners are concerned about the health risk to themselves or their families
when asked about their greatest CONCERN regarding mold in the home. 31% of respondents
selected the expense of repairing their homes as their second choice, and 27% of respondents
said structural damage to their homes was their third largest concern. It’s obvious the top
three concerns deal with health and money.
According to Insurance Information Institute
”Today, homeowners claims can reach $100,000 or more and the cost of some commercial claims can run into the millions.”
”Due to insurance company exclusions of mold, property owners have been sacked with mounting remediation and restoration costs as a result.”
”Mold has become one of the most costly environmental claims today, affecting property owners, builders/contractors as well as construction material manufacturers.”
In 2002/2003, the insurance industry established exclusions for mold within property liability
insurance policies, negating any responsibility for this national epidemic.
”A 1994 Harvard University School of Public Health study of 10,000 homes in the US and Canada found that over half had water damage and mold. The presence of mold was, in turn, associated with a substantially higher level of respiratory problems.”
”A 1999 Mayo Clinic study linked nearly all the chronic sinus infections that trouble approximately 37 million Americans to mold. Recent studies have also linked mold to the tripling of the asthma rate over the past 20 years.”
”The American Lung Association and the US consumer Products Safety Commission estimated that one third to one half of all structures within the US have damp conditions that can encourage mold growth. The study goes on to say, “Although somewhat dated, this information is indicative of the problem. Mold doesn’t go away or become healthier over time.” But this survey also shows some light at the end of the tunnel! The good news is that people are looking for an answer.”
Mold in the Media
Coverage caps also vary, but generally claims are limited to a maximum of $5,000. But that’s still far shy of the mold-cleanup claims in Texas that averaged $35,000 in 2003. -Wayne Holdredge, Principal at Tillinghast, the insurance consulting arm of Towers Perrin
Did you know that half of the air in your home comes from your your basement or crawl space?
Your central heating and air conditioning is designed to take in "fresh" air from your basement or crawl space to replenish the air in your home.
John's Waterproofing makes your basement or crawl space dry and healthy. Of course, just covering it up would leave mold alive to grow. That's why we treat any mold surfaces with Microbloc to kill and prevent mold growth.
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