Buyers have many things to evaluate when buying a home. Things like the condition of the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roof, foundation, and other building components are the top things buyers are concerned with. Mold is a silent, often unseen issue with homes that many buyers are unaware of.
There are many types of mold that can grow in a home. Mold causes not only structural problems, but also potential health problems to you and your family. Mold is difficult to locate as it resides in dark damp areas that are usually in attics, crawl spaces and basements where there are existing problems with ventilation and water leaks.
When mold becomes visible on the homes interior, it’s time to call in the professionals. It is highly likely that if the mold is visible, the structural components of the home are likely covered in mold. A professional certified in mold can treat and make the needed repairs to remove the mold from the home.
The areas we discussed that are most likely to be affected by mold are not the only potentially affected areas. Other affected areas include the interior in the event that the home flooded or even from a failed appliance like a busted water heater or flooded washing machine, leaky pipes, or flooded basements.
When checking for mold, you should consider using a moisture meter or an infrared camera. If moisture levels of 20% or higher are found your home is considered vulnerable to mold growth.
Final Remarks
You should have your home checked over by an experienced mold inspector at least annually if there is any worry of mold beginning to grow, or if there has been mold in the past. Mold can be an expensive problem to deal with so be proactive about looking for it, it can save you money in the long run.