Hi, We have a mold problem in our basement--it's the really unhealthy black mold. It goes all around the bottom of the cinderblock walls (about 2 ft. up from the ground. We have a sump pump--but that doesn't help keeping the walls dry. We would really like to get rid of this unhealthy & smelly problem--but really can't afford this expense at this time.

I was looking at my homeowners policy, and there's something listed on there called "Mold Remedification"--Is this coverage exactly what it says? If so, can I get a contractor of my own choice or do I have to go through my insurance company.

Any information you can give me will be deeply appreciated. Thank you. Evelyn

Check out the following site:

http://www.fiorijanitorial.com/s-73-...equipment.aspx

Please be very very careful about telling your insurance company that you have a mold problem in your house! People are being blacklisted, finding it hard to get insurance for houses with known mold problems. It may make it hard to sell your house someday as the buyers would not be able to get insurance for it either. There's an article by Liz Pulliam Weston on msn.com about this.

Plus, many molds are black. That doesn't mean they are all toxic. Perhaps yours is, perhaps it isn't.

Here's the Liz Pulliam Weston article:


http://www.constructiondefects.com/m...surerskeep.asp

Be extremely careful here - we were forced out of home for 10 months. All because a 'reputable' insurance company (major name) brought in their own 'mold remediation' firms (also major name). I don't know what state you're in but be aware that unless it has changed, only the state of New York has laws governing how 'remediation firms' are to restore your home. What that means is if you're from Ohio (as I am) the insurance company will give the 'mold remediation' firms free reign to do as they please because there are no laws telling them to do otherwise. These so-called remediation firms bilk the insurance industry (and ultimately us, the consumer) of millions of dollars unnecessarily. This 'reputable' firm took everything out of our house including the bathtub. We had Marshall University (W.Va.) evaluate our home for 'the serious mold' problem that the remediation firm claimed we had and it was normal. My advice is do not let anyone convince you that you're living in danger. Mold is serious but every home has it. Some have it worse and depending on the ventilation in the home can be a health problem. But these firms (and I am willing to bet the majority) capitalize on the fact that you are at the mercy of them and the insurance company. If you value anything in you home that can be cleaned GET IT OUT before ANY remediation work begins or you'll never see it again. My wife's antique silverware set is gone (obviously in some remediator's home) but of course the insurance company paid for it. When the remediator showed up at our house there were 10 people in white Tyvek suits and full-face respirators. A con game that terrified my wife into believing that we were living in a deadly environment.

What a horror story! Mold is definitely the new "radon" or "asbestos", being used to rook the poor homeowner of his peace of mind and savings! I really feel for you and hope you can sue the bastards! Although that just means more destruction of your peace of mind. Sigh. Sometimes I really think renting is better than owning... Renters just move away from problems--homeowners get stuck with them.

Mold and mildew are pretty much the same thing. It is a micro-organism that is in the air. When it finds the right conditions it starts a colony and grows. It is not nice stuff but some strains are worse than others. Black mold can cause serious, even fatal reactions for some people. Everyone has told you to be careful regarding your insurance company and they are right on the money.
You can kill the mold with a 50/50 mixture of fresh bleach and water. Many big box stores now sell mold kits with specialized chemicals stronger than bleach. However, you must first stop the moisture from getting inside your basement. Darkness and moisture equal mold.

samyer is right. I live in New York State and had a mold problem. My insurance company spent in excess of $80,000 to fix what a bottle of Tylex could have fixed or bleach and water. We lived in a hotel suite for several months while the remediation company tossed out possessions into a dumpster. We had to hire our own adjuster to watch the entire process and record what was tossed. We were reimbursed for everything including food and it was nothing but a scam. Although everything was re done and is new, it was in my opinion entirely unnecessary. We had a dripping pipe behind a closed wall and didn't know it for months that's where the mold developed in a 4' x 4' area. If it wasn't caused by the dripping pipe it would not have been covered by insurance. Imagine the nightmare we would have had. Suggestion: Call a PRIVATE INSURANCE ADJUSTER and explain your problem. He/She will look at it and let you know if you should call your insurance co. They probably won't charge you either in hopes of working for you if it is covered. Good Luck

I agree. "Toxic mold" is a scam created by the companies that remove mold and the lawyers that sue insurance companies over it. Think about it. You've always had mold in your shower. Are you suddenly going to become deathly ill if you take a shower? After it rains, millions of mold spores are released into the air. Are you scared to go outside after it rains? Houses have always had mold in them. Were people fifty years ago dying everyday from toxic mold? It's a joke.

Fix the leak where the water is getting in. Put on some gloves and a mask and scrub what you can find with bleach. Then forget about it.