KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The attire that workers at MoldDrs. USA step into before going near a moldy area tells the story, mold isn't an easy task to tackle.

Clean-up is a multi-step process and depending on how much mold is there, it can take a lot of time and a lot of money to remedy.

Too bad it doesn't take a lot of effort for the spores to start to grow.
"The EPA says in 24 to 48 hours mold can begin to grow," says MoldDrs. USA president Jeremy Akres.

After mold has found a home Akres says it develops at a fast pace, only little by little, "They are like little worker bees. They are looking for that wet spot so they can flourish."

Which he says causes big problems if not caught very early, "From that point on if you don't fix it right away it came become a large problem in a matter of weeks."

Exactly why most insurance companies say mold is almost never covered in a policy. Because it grows over time, usually over a few of weeks, agents say mold prevention is considered regular maintenance of a home.

Akres says the only exception is if the mold secondary, "Say you are on vacation, a pipe bursts, you come back 2 weeks later and find your house flooded and mold formed."

Even then, agents we spoke with say coverage is iffy, so check before you establish a policy.

Meaning it's especially important to be observant and find the mold before it finds you.

Here are some tell-tell signs and prevention tips.

Signs:
Visually seeing the mold
Distinct Odor
Laminate floors curling
Hardwood buckling

Prevention:
Maintain good indoor-outdoor air exchange
Use humidity monitors to keep an eye on moisture levels
Keep an eye on plumbing fixtures
Check your roof and exterior drains
Check your crawl space.

Also if you suspect mold, or just want to make sure, buy a mold detection kit. You can pick one up at most home improvement stores.