Mold Questions from Tulsa, OK Homeowners and Renters

Usually not in the 911 sense, but act within days. The urgent part is stopping the water and drying things out, because the EPA says wet materials should be dried within 24 to 48 hours. Move faster for large areas, mold after flood water, mold in the air handler or ducts, or anyone in the home with breathing problems.

Quickly. The EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. In a muggy Tulsa summer, with dew points near 69 F in July, closed-up rooms stay damp longer. That is why the first job after a burst pipe, roof leak or flash flood is removing water and drying everything fast.

Color does not tell you how risky a mold is, and the cleanup is the same either way. Any mold can bother people who are sensitive to it. If anyone in the home has symptoms, see a doctor. Treat a large dark patch like any other large mold problem: fix the water and remove it carefully. See mold removal.

Often, if it is small. The EPA says homeowners can usually clean an area under about 10 square feet, roughly 3 feet by 3 feet, once the water problem is fixed. Use detergent and water, wear gloves and a mask, and dry the area fully. Don't sand or dry brush. Larger areas, mold inside walls or ducts, or flood water call for a professional.

Often the air handler, drain pan or ducts. Cold coils and ducts sweat in humid weather, and a clogged condensate drain or a leaky duct in a hot attic can stay wet for weeks. Turn the system off if you see mold inside it, and ask a company to check. HVAC repairs need a CIB mechanical licensee. See HVAC and AC mold.

Usually not. Oklahoma DEQ and the EPA both say that when you can see or smell mold, the job is to fix the water and remove it. There are no state or federal limits for mold to compare results against, so a test of visible mold rarely changes the plan. See mold inspection and testing.

Mainly in four cases: you smell mold but can't find it, you need a clearance check after remediation, you are buying or selling a home, or you need documentation for a landlord, an insurer or a dispute. In each case, ask what question the test will answer before you pay for it.

There is no state or federal standard for mold in homes, so no lab number can tell you a home is safe or unsafe. Results are usually read by comparing indoor samples with an outdoor sample and with other rooms. Treat any test result as one piece of information alongside what the inspector saw and measured.

We could not confirm that it does. The Oklahoma State Department of Health says it has no authority over mold complaints, and Oklahoma DEQ says the property owner is responsible for preventing and cleaning up mold. Renters should start with written notice to the landlord. Call the Tulsa Health Department to ask about its current policy.

Sometimes. Mold is usually covered only when it follows a covered, sudden loss such as a burst pipe or a storm opening in the roof. Slow leaks, long-term humidity and unrepaired damage usually are not. Read your declarations page and call your agent before work starts. No one can promise coverage. See the insurance guide.

Not under a standard homeowners policy, which excludes flood. Flood damage needs a separate flood policy. Tulsa's FEMA Community Rating System Class 1 rating gives National Flood Insurance Program policies inside city limits a 45 percent discount. If you have flood coverage, document the damage and call your agent or the flood carrier right away.

Photograph the damage and the water source, note the date, and keep damaged items until your insurer says you can discard them. Make reasonable repairs to prevent further damage, such as stopping the leak and tarping the roof, and keep receipts. Don't sign a contract that waives or rebates your deductible; Oklahoma roofers may not offer that.