If your roof or ceiling is damaged by a covered peril — like if a windstorm causes a leak that lets rainwater in — then homeowners insurance may help pay for repairs. But if your roof leaks due to gradual wear and tear and your ceiling is damaged, that wouldn't be covered.
If a ceiling collapses as a result of a covered risk, such as a burst pipe, windstorm, or fire, the damage may be covered by a normal homeowner's insurance policy. However, damage caused by normal wear and use, improper care, or negligence may not be covered.
Simply put, it covers the cost to repair damage done by a water leak you can't see within the walls, floors, ceilings, cabinets, beneath the floors or behind or under a home appliance. A homeowners policy normally doesn't protect you from many types of water damage — including hidden water leaks.
Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover mold damage or removal unless it's the result of a covered peril. If the mold in your residence was caused by something sudden or accidental, such as a bursting pipe or some other covered incident on your policy, you may be protected.
If the room you are sleeping in has advanced dry rot due to a neglected leak, your plaster or drywall ceiling is likely very weak and could fall in on you. Large pieces could cause injury, while small pieces could be ingested, inhaled, or get in your eyes.
As mentioned earlier, ceiling leakage is not an issue that only concerns you. Dealing with this problem usually concerns three parties: the HDB and the owners of the upper and lower flat. For cases of ceiling leaks between the upper and lower floor flats, both owners share the responsibility of having it fixed.
Call a plumber or roofer.
Even if you can't spot the exact source of a leak, the weather outside is a good indicator of what type of leak you have. If it's raining, you probably have a roof leak. If there's no rain, you probably have a plumbing leak.
For example, if your washing machine suddenly springs a leak and black mold develops on the floor, a homeowners policy will likely pay to remove the mold. If the floor is damaged beyond repair, your policy may also pay to replace it.
In some cases, mold in your home can make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Whether or not you're allergic to molds, mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
Slow plumbing pipe leaks occur when a fitting is loose or a joint seam develops a hole. They can also be caused by pinhole leaks in metal plumbing pipes. Slow leaks are not typically identifiable because the water often drips slowly from the plumbing pipe.
Most homeowners policies will pay to repair damaged drywall and replace ruined carpets. (Note that most policies won't cover the cost of repairing or replacing the pipe.)
Earthquake and water damage
In most states, earthquakes, sinkholes, and other earth movements are not covered by your standard policy.
Ceiling leaks can already be a cause of stress and danger. They can cause ceiling and attic damage, the growth of dangerous molds and mildews, structural instability, and inefficient energy use that may result in higher utility bills. These risks can be amplified when ceiling leaks occur near light fixtures.
One of the most common types of ceiling damage comes in the shape of cracks in the ceiling. The problem with cracks is that they can be caused by several reasons, from subsidence or structural issues to poor ceiling installation, moisture damage or issues with your drywall.
A damp area that becomes discolored can also be an early sign of mold on the ceiling. Mold can also have a musty, earthy, or damp smell that sometimes precedes the visual signs of mold growth.
If you're sleeping in a room with mould, you could be breathing in mycotoxins (toxic chemicals present in the spores of certain mould types) throughout the night.
These telltale signs should have you looking for another home fast: The house fails all inspections because of mold growth, especially if there are foundation issues. The seller doesn't have the money to cover the cost of mold remediation and removal or doesn't want to spend the money fixing it.
It's common for insurance policies to exclude coverage for damage from mold, along with dry or wet rot and rust, since the preventative measures needed to avoid this type of damage are considered standard household maintenance.
I had so much mold in my body that it took several months for the ebb and flow of flu symptoms to go away. As you kill the mold and there are less organisms in your body, you will start to feel better. It took my husband six months to become free and clear of mold while it took me a year and a half.
Most people describe the smell of mold as musty, stale, and earthy — somewhat similar the odor of wet socks or decaying wood. Although mold smells can vary, here are some of the most common characteristics: Musty and Stale — like old socks or a stuffy attic that hasn't been aired out in months.
Water-damaged ceilings are high-priority issues that lead to rot, mold and a weaker house frame. Leaks must be fixed, and water-damaged ceilings repaired, as soon as possible.
The best way to address a wet ceiling is to get it dry as soon as you spot the problem. The prime window to mitigate damage is within 48 to 72 hours of discovery. If you can start the drying process in this time frame, you will stand a much better chance of stopping mold before it can begin to grow and prevent warping.
Be aware that if the leak is significant, there is a chance that a section of the ceiling could collapse and this will cause significant damage.