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The recent real-estate market has been talking about stachybotrys chartarum - black or toxic mold - and it's liability in terms of insurance and what can be done about it if you are buying or selling a house. Some homeowners have gone to extremes, such as burning down their houses with everything in it, thinking that was the only way to rid themselves of this vicious fungus. Others have sued and won big money from their insurance companies over the black toxic growth which had taken over their homes. Today, many insurance companies include clauses regarding mold and they will limit the payments or offer no payments at all for mold related claims. There are several things a homeowner can do to prevent or remove mold before buying or selling a house.

Molds are a fungus that releases tiny spores into the air. If a spore lands on a moist surface, it usually begins to grow. There are thousands of various styles and types of molds circling the earth every minute, both indoor and outdoor, and humans encounter them every day, in our homes, at work, in the stores and outdoors. Most are harmless; however there are some that are toxic. Toxic molds are considered mycontoxins, a type of mold that produces a hazardous byproduct. The elderly and very young are susceptible to these mycontoxins which can produce memory loss and damage lungs. Others, such as those with asthma or additional respiratory problems, can become worse due to mycontoxins; conversely, even healthy individuals have known to become seriously ill from certain mycontoxins. Hovering particles of mold spores are undetectable to the bare eye and so it is not possible to see where they land until they begin to germinate.

Depending on how big an area of mold you have, such as a small area in the bathroom, you may be able to clean it yourself with soap, water and then some bleach. However, if there is a lot of mold in your home, you will need a professional to do the cleanup for you. Remember, you must find the source of the mold and remove it before you can stop it from reoccurring. If you are buying or selling a house, you may want to have a mold inspection done. Most home inspection companies do not perform mold inspections as part of the normal house inspection, much as a termite inspection is done by a termite company or pest control company, you will most likely have to hire a mold inspection company. They can run anywhere from $200 to $700 and up depending on the size and area needing inspected and if they go into detail, such as going into the ductwork. Having the ductwork in your home clean may not be enough to rid your house of mold. Keeping up with the air filter replacements and keeping the dust and dirt under control are just a few of the maintenance items that can help with stopping the spreading of mold.

Learn more about this author, Don Rainwater.
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