Preventing Mold-Related Claims

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

Mold growth on the corner of a window

As a commercial landlord or property owner in Chicago, IL, the law may not be clear regarding requirements to make sure your property is safe to inhabit, especially since a commercial building doesn’t necessarily need to be habitable, per se. Still, it should be fit for planned use. When it comes to mold remediation, you may be responsible as a commercial landlord for not only cleaning the mold, but also repairing the condition that created the standing water from which the fungus developed. You’ll need to check if any existing insurance policies you hold allow you to make mold insurance claims.

Ounce of Prevention Is a Pound of Cure

The best way to avoid a mold claim is by being diligent about preventing fungus from developing at all. As a commercial property owner or manager, you should regularly check for condensation build-up, leaks, faulty drainage at foundations and damaged seals around windows and other openings. Ventilation systems should also be inspected for the presence of mold. Potential warnings for future trouble spots include the following:

• Water damage, including flooding, busted pipes or fire extinguishment
• Wet conditions lasting longer than 48 hours
• Moisture issues such as leaky windows or pipes
• Moldy or musty odors
• Structural remodeling or repurposing

Staying on top of these issues goes a long way to avoiding mold insurance claims.

Mold Damage Repair and Restoration
If you suspect you have a mold problem, hire an investigator who can take air samples and is equipped to thoroughly investigate to determine the source and the extent of the problem. Leave the mold cleanup process to a team of trained professionals who are experts when it comes to mold remediation, water damage cleanup, and drying techniques. These experts can respond quickly, minimizing damage, stopping the spread of mold, and reducing the duration of the restoration process. Quick and thorough cleanup may help you reduce the amount of any mold insurance claims or eliminate them altogether.