Does a Home Warranty Cover Mold?

If you've got mold, you've got a problem. And if you're now wondering, "does a home warranty cover mold?", you could be putting your family's health at risk.

Mold could cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory issues such as stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing and wheezing. It's also possible for mold to cause eye and skin irritation. In addition, a mold allergy or an auto-immune deficiency could lead to more serious lung illnesses or infection.

But not all mold is necessarily bad, and mold exists in the air we breathe and on many surfaces we interact with daily. Mold has also been around for millions of years and grows wherever there is moisture.

What is Mold?

Simply put, mold is a fungus. It's made up of tiny organisms that are colored just about any color, black, white, orange, green or purple, and they help the plant world recycle and reuse dead leaves, plants and trees.

Everyone is likely exposed to mold every day as tiny, lightweight spores travel through the air all around us. The good thing is that this kind of exposure is mostly harmless, at least in limited doses.

But because mold thrives on moisture, any damp places in your home, such as a bathroom or leak in one of your home's damp and dark walls, are particularly vulnerable to mold outbreaks. Having constant exposure to mold in your living spaces is enough to make you and your family sick, particularly if you have a sensitivity to mold.

With mold having the ability to affect your home and those within it you may want to consider asking, “does my home warranty cover mold?”, in order to keep your family safe and healthy.

The Dangers of Mold

Because mold is a dangerous fungus, you should know that leaving it untreated could send you or a family member to the hospital.

The worst thing is that most mold outbreaks go undetected for months or even years because they grow in areas that people don't usually go, like inside walls.

Many times, these leaks are too small to notice on your water bill or on your walls. But if it's bad enough, you'll start to see it in your living spaces. However, because it takes a while for mold to work its way through your home, by the time you see it it's already too late, mold could be all over the internal structure of your house.

And don't even think about DIY. Exposure to mold may cause you to become sick before you could ever clean it up, so leave it to the professionals with the proper safety gear if you find or suspect mold in your home.

Homeowners Warranty and Mold

When mold is found in a home, it could be a scary thought that leaves homeowners wondering where to turn to handle the problem.

Unfortunately, mold is not covered by most home warranties because it's usually the result of poor ventilation or an undetected leak somewhere in your walls due to poor materials or bad workmanship, or just plain, bad design.

Water issues can be minimal, going unnoticed and could be the fault of just about anyone including owners, tenants or repairmen. Because of this, most home warranty companies have opted to get out of the mold treatment game completely. Home warranty companies have classified them as maintenance issues instead of fire or theft, which would be covered by a typical insurance.

What Is a Home Warranty

In order to protect your home’s essential systems and appliances when the unexpected happens, you may want to consider purchasing a homeowners warranty. Unlike homeowners’ insurance that is often required by your bank or mortgage lender, a home warranty or homeowners’ warranty is elective coverage that takes care of things that your homeowners’ insurance doesn't.

First and foremost, home warranties are a popular way to cover your home's heating and cooling systems, as well as your ductwork, plumbing and electrical system.

That's because if you ever have a problem with one of your home's systems, it could cost more to repair or replace, and additional damage with required repairs can hide just about anywhere.

A home warranty is also a great way to cover your home's appliances, such as your water heater, dishwasher and washer and dryer.

What's Not Covered with a Home Warranty

Not all home warranty plans are created equal, and you might need to pay a premium to cover every appliance and system in your home, especially if you've got a ton of add-ons like a second refrigerator, a pool or a well pump.

If you have any questions, be sure to consult your home warranty provider, or ask upfront for the coverage you need before you settle on the right home warranty for you.

But for everything that a home warranty does and can cover, mold isn't one of them due to its classification as a hazardous material. So, if you've got a mold issue, you'll have to hire someone to take care of it.

Home Warranty of America

Here at Home Warranty of America, we love helping homeowners maintain their homes. Just check out this article on bathtub and shower cleaning tips.

We're a leading provider of home warranties that provide excellent value and security for homeowners, which is great in the face of a large repair bill that could wipe out your savings and even pull you into debt.

The second one of your appliances or home's systems develop an issue, give us a call and we'll come out and repair or replace it all for a low trade call fee that'll be a fraction of what you'd pay for a local contractor to come out and take a look.

Don't risk it. Find out how Home Warranty of America could help you! Call us toll free at (888) 492-7359 or click today so you can stop worrying about all the things that can go wrong.