The Homeowner's Guide to Mold

Even a minor, hidden water leak, untreated, can result in major mold problems and thousands of dollars in damage… and a severely mold-contaminated house can’t be lived in or sold! Once moisture combines with dust or mold-friendly materials like drywall, mold can start growing and spreading in as little as 24-48 hours. This book will show you how to: Inspect for mold throughout a home. Remove mold and keep it from coming back… including the best maintenance procedures to prevent mold growth. Select mold-preventive construction techniques and new mold-resistant materials if you’re building or remodeling. Deal with insurance companies if you’re thinking of submitting a mold damages claim. Select a reliable mold removal contractor, and know when you need one. Plus standard procedures and costs for mold remediation, testing, and repair work FEATURES: Invaluable tips on: Recognizing mold, will full-color photographs Removing mold safely and effectively Mold removal contractors and insurance issues

About the Author & Reviewers. Introduction. Why Is Mold Such a Concern Today? Is Your House Making You Sick? Protecting Your Home’s Value. How Th is Book Will Help You. Chapter 1: What Is Mold & Where Does It Come From? Facts & Hype. Understanding How Mold Grows & Spreads. Does My Home Have a Dangerous Type of Mold? “There Was Mold, but We Bleached It Out. Don’t Worry!”. Chapter 2: How Mold Can Affect Your Health. Risks to People. Risks to Pets. Th e Infamous “Black Mold”. How Mold Gets Into Our Bodies. Chapter 3: Does Your Home (or One You Plan to Purchase) Have Mold? Looking for Mold. Asking the Right Questions. Water Inspection Guidelines. Mold on the Home’s Exterior. Chapter 4: Mold Testing. After Your Inspection. If You’re Considering Mold Testing. Before Testing. Th e Home Test Kit. Types of Mold Spore Testing. Reading the Microbiology Reports. Chapter 5: Mold Cleanup Principles. Goals of Mold Cleanup. How Big Is Your Mold Problem? Mold Caused by Flooding. Chapter 6: Hiring a Mold Remediation Contractor. Industry Standards. How to Select a Qualified Mold Remediation Contractor. How to Recognize & Avoid Con Artists. Th e Importance of Being Informed. Chapter 7: Insurance Coverage. What Most People Th ink… and Are Wrong. What Happens If I Make a Mold Claim to My Insurance Company? Th ings to Remember Prior to Making a Mold Claim. What Can Go Wrong with Your Mold Claim. Public Adjusters/Appraisal. Know Your Rights. Chapter 8: Your Home’s Contents. It Looks Clean. What If Your Mold Remediator Suggests You Handle the Contents to Save Money? Cross-Contaminating Your Home. Packing Out Your Furniture. Items That Tend to Attract Mold. Chapter 9: What to Expect from Your Mold Remediator. Th e Right Steps in the Right Order. What to Expect During the Remediation Process. Common Remediation Methods. Do-It-Yourself Mold Remediation. Chapter 10: Mold-Resistant Construction Methods & Materials. Mold-Preventing Construction Methods—Basic Principles. Proper Handling of Construction Materials to Prevent Mold. Mold-Resistant Construction Materials. Chapter 11: Maintenance Tips for Preventing Mold. Appendix. A: Questions & Answers About Mold. B: Health Eff ects from Exposure to Specific Types of Household Molds. C: Typical Costs for Mold Remediation & Testing, and Mold Remediation Construction Methods. Resources. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.