Tri-State Area Mold Removal Tips

Do’s and Don’ts Until We Get There

Do…

• Isolate mold areas and cover with plastic
• Wear rubber gloves, protective clothing, and a N-95 mask if you must handle materials or contents within mold-affected areas
• Remove all textiles (e.g., towels, clothing), wash immediately, and store elsewhere.
• In the case of extensive mold, consider temporarily moving out. Check your insurance policy for emergency housing provisions

Do Not…

• Enter any area with standing water
• Remove, touch or handle affected materials
• Sleep in any room where mold is present or nearby
• Vacuum anything
• Turn on air-conditioning or heating as it can spread contamination
• Paint or caulk moldy surfaces
• Attempt to clean expensive or sentimental items before consulting a specialist

Understanding the Claim Process

For people experiencing a disaster for the first time, navigating through your insurance company’s claims process can be cumbersome. For more than 40 years, Brock Restoration has worked closely with property owners and insurance companies to complete the process quickly and efficiently. Brock Restoration offers the following five step guide to help simplify submitting and working through your claim:

Step 1: Submit your claim

You can submit your claim through your insurance agent and often through a select representative of your insurance provider. Typically you may submit your claim in several different ways, including over the telephone or over the internet. In most cases, you will talk to your agent who then provides you with direction and, in some cases, submits the claim on your behalf.

Step 2: Property adjuster assigned

Following the submission and filing of a claim, your insurance company will assign a property adjuster to assess your claim. While this is the most common scenario, your insurance company’s claims process may differ. The assigned property adjuster will usually meet you at your home or property to inspect the damage and then move forward with settling the claim.

Step 3: Look into your insurance policy

Understanding your insurance policy is a vital step to the process. Verify your policy has mold coverage. One of the items often overlooked within a property policy is the necessity and responsibility of the property owner to prevent further damage to the property. With that said, it becomes the home owner’s responsibility to communicate with your insurance carrier, and if necessary, submit a claim without delay. Staying in your home may be unsafe, resulting in additional costs for food, lodging, etc. You will need to keep track of all associated expenses, as you may need to submit receipts as part of the claim for reimbursement.

Step 4: Brock Restoration takes it from here

Understand that in most cases, it takes time for your insurance company to process and settle the claim after submission. Several factors contribute to the length of processing time. Some claims may take as little as days, and others take months to go through from beginning to end.

Regardless of time frame, Brock Restoration acts quickly to minimize the impact on your home and family. We work with your insurance provider on every aspect of your claim to save time and expedite the repair process. Our goal is to return your property to pre-loss condition as soon as possible.

Step 5: The work is finished – what’s next?

When the repair process winds down and restoration nears completion, you may wonder about how to handle billing. In some cases, the insurance provider will pay the restoration contractor directly. However, your insurance provider may work a little differently. In some instances, the provider issues a check to the property or home owner. In this situation, the homeowner would make the payment to the restoration contractor upon completion of the work.

Ultimately, your insurance provider may hold you responsible for paying your deductible, usually collected by the selected contractor before work begins. Familiarize yourself with your policy to ensure you pay the proper deductible, if required.

Brock Restoration has over 16 years of experience working with insurance providers and homeowners. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have regarding claims. Call us at 513-328-6815 or send us your contact information for a call back.

What is mold?

Mold is a microscopic organism that grows on plant or animal matter. It serves the important environmental function of breaking down dead material and recycling nutrients. To reproduce, mold produces spores that can spread through insects, air, or water. Under the right conditions, the spores feed on moist textiles and materials, multiplying and spreading.

Is my home prone to mold?

Virtually any home is prone to mold. All it needs to grow is sufficient moisture and organic material. Mold often grows when humidity, condensation, or a water leak comes into contact with drywall, carpet padding, or tile.

What symptoms indicate mold exposure?

The symptoms of mold exposure are similar to seasonal allergy symptoms. Headache, skin irritation, throat irritation, cough, respiratory problems, nasal and sinus congestion, and eye irritation are very common symptoms of mold exposure. Individuals with a respiratory illness or compromised immune system are at a high risk for health problems from mold exposure.

What is Toxic Black Mold Syndrome?

As many as 10 million people in the United States might be affected by TBMS. Symptoms include muscle pain, headaches, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, memory loss, and cramps. Water damage causes an increase in the risk of mold growth, which can cause humans or animals to develop TBMS. If you have mold in your home and exhibit these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider, then call Brock Restoration.

How do I know if I have a mold problem?

If you notice a furry, slimy, or discolored patch in the home, or detect a musty odor, you might have mold growth. Mold commonly grows in window moldings, shower curtains, air conditioners, bathroom tiles, and areas prone to water.

How does mold removal work?

We recommend professional mold cleanup for any amount of mold growth, slight or excessive. The earlier you catch it and take action, the quicker the restoration. Mold cleanup involves identifying and correcting the source of the water, discarding affected materials, and cleaning the area with industry standard, antimicrobial disinfectants.

Who is ultimately responsible for payment?

The property owner is responsible for payment. If you have filed an insurance claim, Brock Restoration will collect your deductible at the time of service. The day following your loss, you can expect a call from our manager of new accounts, making sure we have all the information to quickly and accurately submit your claim and set up your account. Your Brock Restoration estimator will take care of working with your insurance company, ensuring the claims handling process runs as smoothly as possible.

Sometimes mold can hide in covered areas that you may not notice, like behind appliances, wallpaper, or under flooring. If you have concerns that mold is lurking in your hidden corners, call Brock Restoration. We have more than 16 years of mold remediation experience. We’ll even come to your home and evaluate the area at no cost to you.