No new home buyer wants to move into a place with mold. Unfortunately, mold isn’t always the easiest thing to detect. Mold is a fungus that grows in dark moist areas. It comes in a variety of colors and shapes; some mold may even be odorous. While mold is generally visible once it begins to grow, it can grow in some places you may not be able to directly see such as in the walls or under the carpets. While mold grows rapidly in water soaked materials, such as carpet, drywood or even clothing- it can grow in any slightly damp environment. The geographical location of your home doesn’t matter; mold can grow in homes in the desert just the same as colder areas of the United States. When completing a home walkthrough, it’s always important to ask the owner or realtor about any mold related issues either past or present. If a home does have mold issues, the seller may be inclined to negotiate a lower price. Continue reading to learn just how dangerous mold can be, and how to fix it if it ever becomes a problem.
The issue with mold growing inside of your home:
Other than just being a disgusting looking eyesore, and sometimes even carrying an unpleasant odor; mold can be a serious issue. Not only can it cause damage to your home, it can also put your health at risk. In worse cases, mold growing in your home can release dangerous toxins called mycotoxins into the air you breath that can cause rashes, seizures, unusual bleeding, respiratory problems and even severe fatigue. Toxic mold can be especially dangerous to people who suffer from asthma or asthmatic like symptoms. Fortunately, most common molds are found to be non-toxic.
Where does mold grow?
As mentioned before, mold thrives in wet dark areas. Something as simple as a wet towel left in a dark closet too long could eventually begin to grow mold. Some common areas around your house you should frequently check for mold are
- Any type of leak: if there is even the smallest of a leak anywhere in your home, this invites mold to grow. Be sure to check pipes, windows and your roof annually to ensure a tight seal is still in place ensuring water stays out and so does the mold. Leaks are easy to spot because there will often be water marks on the floors, walls or ceilings indicating that water has been pooling.
● Any flooring that’s been through flooding: Even though you may think your floors are completely dried out, there could still be water remaining. A moist floor is a playground for mold to grow on. Be sure to seek professional help any time flooding occurs to prevent the growth of mold.
How to try and detect mold:
The first step is to simply be on the lookout! Keep an eye out for the aforementioned places when walking through a home you’re potentially interested in buying to see if you can spot any mold growth or potential places it could eventually begin to grow. Some other give away signs are water marks on walls or ceilings or even musty smells throughout the house.
The best way to ensure you’re not buying a home with a current or potential mold problem is to simply have an inspection of the home done before buying. If you find yourself stuck with a mold problem, fear not- we here at discount water and mold removal can help! We specialize in flooding mold infestations. Contact us for a quote to get your home in tip top shape today!
