‘Tis the Season to be Moldy

“April showers bring May flowers”… and the growing risk for mold. With wet, spring weather comes the potential for floods and high humidity, and mold.

Mold: What is it?

Mold is a fungus that grows in warm and damp locations. It feeds on organic material, so when it grows, on any surface (especially fabric, wood and artwork), the costs to clean and remediate the item or the storage or shipment lot, can be extremely costly. Mold spreads quickly and can also cause illness.

Mold Incidents  

If you get a mold and mildew allegation or lawsuit, you could be responsible for the loss and damage of the shipment, and you could be liable for medical services and home abatement costs. Often insurance policies exclude mold and mildew or only have limited insurance coverage with buy-backs or, if you are found legally liable under certain circumstances.

Given this, it’s important to take preventative measures to ensure your operations are mold-free so you can avoid a mold and mildew claim.

Mold Prevention

Follow this checklist to minimize the risk of mold and mildew claims for Moving & Storage operations:

✓ Limit the amount of moisture the shipment or storage lot is subjected to:

• Don’t pack, load, or unload in high humidity situations.
• Don’t pack, move or store any wet upholstery or damp cardboard boxes.
• Avoid storing, packing, or transporting any liquids.
• Inspect all furniture, appliances and personal property for existing mold and do not move items if mold is found. Mold can spread, easily, via spores during a move. One moldy item can ruin an entire shipment.

✓ Limit the potential for roof leaks:

• Inspect your roof at least annually to prevent leaks. Pay particular attention to the rubber “boots” around the base of exhaust pipes that vent up through the roof. Aging rubber develops cracks and holes that allow water to leak through.
• Inspect and clean gutters, especially in late fall and early winter.

✓ Inspect your entire warehouse on a regular basis for excess moisture on walls, floors and ceiling:

• Look for leaking pipes, water stains and damage.
• As a precaution, consider draping plastic sheeting over the top of your warehouse racks to force water from undetected roof leaks to run or drip down to the warehouse floor instead of onto the furniture beneath it.
• Inspect the outside perimeter of your building to ensure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
• If you detect mold, treat it immediately so it won’t spread.

✓ If furniture, household goods or other items get wet during a move, and you are going to store it in your warehouse:

• Stage it on the warehouse floor for at least 24 hours.
• Blow air from floor fans across it while it is being staged and ensure it is dry before you store it.
• Get rid of any damp pads from loading during a rainstorm.

✓ If you stretch wrap wet or damp furniture: you will trap moisture inside the wrapping and encourage mold to grow; therefore, be careful if you stretch wrap anything you plan to store.

✓ Inspect all your trucks and trailers on a regular basis and look for leaks:

• Go into your trucks/trailers on a sunny day, close the doors and look for any light coming through.
• If light is coming through, then so can water. Use a common silicon product in a caulk gun device for an outdoor application, or use Gorilla Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape.

✓ Do not combine wet or damp boxes with dry loads. Refuse to move or store them.

I hope you find these tips helpful and enjoy a safe and not-too-wet spring!

Sources:

Martin Lesko, Champion Risk

https://news.mediaedge.ca/assets/LessMouldMoreGold_cam_Jan7,2024.pdf

Terri Moran

Insurance industry veteran Terri Moran leads the underwriting and operational strategies for the MOVER’S CHOICE program. Throughout her career, Terri has held roles in leadership, underwriting and marketing with national insurers. A staunch industry advocate, she has served as a member of the WSIA Internship Committee, working to attract young professionals to career opportunities.

In her spare time, in addition to enjoying her family, she is a Member and past Chair of the Board of Directors for the Surplus Lines Association of California.