Water Damage and Mold: What You Need to Know

Water damage is devastating. It can ruin everything in its path: flooring, walls, carpeting, furniture, and precious, irreplaceable keepsakes. It’s costly and heartbreaking to fix. However, many of us may not be aware of the biggest and most distressing effect of water damage: mold.
Mold – in its most toxic form– is typically black in colour and thrives in a damp environment. Mold growth can begin within 72 hours following a water damage event. And the bad news doesn’t stop there: Mold damage isn’t covered under most home insurance policies.
Mold can be a major health hazard to you and your family. Signs of mold exposure include:
• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Wheezing and shortness of breath
• Asthma symptoms
• Coughing and phlegm build-up
• Allergic reactions
Some people are more vulnerable to mold exposure than others, including the elderly, infants and children, asthma sufferers, and those with compromised immune systems. If you or a family member are experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect mold exposure, please visit your doctor as soon as possible. The Government of Canada provides further detail on the symptoms of mold and what to do in this article.
As mentioned, mold damage and its subsequent removal may not be covered as part of their policy. While policies differ, insurance companies have limited mold coverage in recent years, and strongly encourage homeowners to begin claims and the restoration process immediately to reduce mold. If you are concerned, you should contact your insurance broker or provider to discuss your coverage.
Water damage can happen so easily. Internal issues such as leaky pipes and appliances can flood your home, and extreme weather patterns have resulted in more and more Canadian homes experiencing major water events such as sewer back up and seepage.
As with most all health issues, prevention of mold growth is paramount. Homeowners can take a number of steps to help reduce the chance of a water damage event in their home. Take a look at our recent article, “Tips to Protect Your Home this Fall,” for steps to maintain your home both inside and out to reduce water damage.
Smart Home and IoT devices are providing homeowners more information than ever before so they can protect themselves and their homes. Automatic and remote water shutoff devices (such as the Eddy IQ) can prevent water damage from starting with swift action when the issue is due to a plumbing issue or related leak, and sensing technology (such as the H2O) alerts a homeowner to water and moisture so they can pinpoint the exact location of a leak in their home. This can lead to a dramatic reduction in overall damage. Also, most leading insurance companies offer a discount for these types of devices (including Eddy’s products).
About Eddy Home
Founded in 2014, Eddy Home is an industry leader in leak protection and water visibility solutions. Our suite of smart products offer a comprehensive water management system for homeowners that protects, controls, and conserves. Our products have saved thousands of customers millions of litres of water by continuously monitoring water usage in their home, and if something unusual is detected, alerting them to the issue. For more details, please contact us at 1 877 388 3339 or email info@eddyhome.com.