Home Does my home insurance cover mould growing due to weather conditions?

I’ve lived in my house for 4 years, with no particular major problems. But recently, my room (the largest) is really starting to smell of mould.

The side of the room faces the mid day sun, and the wood underneath the roof is starting to grow a lot of mould. I think this is where the smell is originating. Its never been as bad before which I think is because of this seasons frequent rain followed by sun, any time that happens the smell is 10 times worse. I need to cover the wood Fascia with plastic to avoid this.

I’m just wondering, will my home insurance cover this?

Thanks in advance for the replies

nope. It covers insured perils. it isn't a maintenance policy. Keeping your property maintained is your own problem. Also even it were something that was covered, the fact that it has been a gradually operating problem would also exclude it.

SeanIRL said:

I’ve lived in my house for 4 years, with no particular major problems. But recently, my room (the largest) is really starting to smell of mould.

The side of the room faces the mid day sun, and the wood underneath the roof is starting to grow a lot of mould. I think this is where the smell is originating. Its never been as bad before which I think is because of this seasons frequent rain followed by sun, any time that happens the smell is 10 times worse. I need to cover the wood Fascia with plastic to avoid this.

I’m just wondering, will my home insurance cover this?

Thanks in advance for the replies

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Without actually seeing the problem and determining the precise cause, it is difficult to be definitive as to whether the damage is covered. However, I would stress that on the basis of what you have outlined, it is most likely that this damage will be outside the scope of your policy cover.

Regardless of insurance cover, the damage that you are describing, does seem indicatative of a lack of ventilation. Roofs, rooms and suspended floors must be ventilated. Covering the fascia and soffits with plastic will likely make things worse. (You must also bear in mind that the presence of mould can also be associated with Carbon Monoxide). If you allow this problem to persist, you face the real prospect of the formation of wet or dry rot. This is never a minor problem and is not cheap to eradicate.

I would suggest that you obtain the services of a damp expert to examine the problem and to provide you with the appropriate professional advice and remedy.

This could be a sigh of rot.

Dry rot can occur when the conditions are right, which from recollection is within the temperature range of 18-22 degrees centigrade and 80-90% relative humidity in air.

This wiki reference cites slightly different conditions but doesn't seem to fundamentally disagree and there is also thsi specific referred to therein

Wet rot can occur with timbers which are repeatedly wet through, often in the vicinity of gutter leaks and [broken link removed] may help you identify what you're seeing.

Laypersons often confuse what they're seeing with other kinds of deterioration and so I generally recommend a damp specialist is called on to identify and advise on how best to treat the outbreaks.

Whether your policy covers this kind of occurrence will depend on your policy and the cause. A high-level inspection may be required with limited open up works to determine what has gone on.

Lack of maintenance is one thing, but unusual climatic conditions may be another in terms of your insurance contract. You may need the advice of someone used to presenting cases to insurance companies.

'Unusual climatic conditions'

Can you give a definition and tell us of what companies give the cover?

The term is self-explanatory.

I don't sell insurance or write the small print in contracts.

I occasionally assist the homeowner in preparing a claim and negotiating with the loss adjuster.