subject: Watch Out For Black Mold: Mildew Means More Than Just Unsightly Stains [print this page] Black mold remediation can be complex and expensive. Too often people find that their efforts to fix basement mold and black mold issues don't work long term. This article reviews the basics of black mold and mildew. Fortunately for all of us, there are some natural and affordable alternatives that do work. Check my upcoming articles for the steps for cleanup, and affordable alternatives that work.
Black mold and mildew are small, but costly little pests that can cost an arm and a lung if they are allowed to wreak havoc on your health and your home: property devaluation and many health problems are at risk. Mold is resourceful, only requiring moisture and a good surface to grow. Mold spores are everywhere, and tiny particles of practically anything organic provide enough food for mold to grow in the right environment. Basements, dark corners, and other nooks and crannies usually have little air flow and moist surfaces to host enormous mold circuses. Even if your basement is dry right now, mold is simply waiting in the wings for the next spill, leak or flood to come home to roost.
When black mold shows up, human health is the first to suffer: trouble breathing, sinusitis, serious headaches, and more can plague people in the vicinity of the latest mold colony, especially those at risk. The elderly, children, and those with immune problems are usually the first victims, but mold isn't great for anybody. Some small and unassuming molds can cause much more than a little sniffle: serious and debilitating disease of the immune and nervous systems, and even death, have been linked to these little spores. .
If that weren't enough, basement mold and Black Mold are a significant property value hazard. In just one year (2001), US homeowners filed more than $18 billion in insurance claims for mold damage. Most states now allow insurers to exclude mold, including basement and black mold damage, from their coverage.
Which means that you property owners are left with often exorbitant cleanup costs: running into the tens of thousands of dollars, potentially including major rebuilding projects. Renters health is still at risk due to mold, leaving landlords liable for not just property damage, but also health bills. Over 10,000 court cases involving mold have would up in court in the past three years. Some cases have even resulted in settlement ins the tens of millions of dollars.
Even buildings that are currently free of black mold are prime targets for problems, probably sooner rather than later. Moisture damage affects over 1/3 of homes each year. And, moisture means mold: basement mold, mildew, black mold, etc. At least half of homes include someone who suffers from respiratory distress. This means that 100's of millions in America alone will be affected by mold before they can say "Aspergillus flavus".
