Buying Real Estate?! Don’t forget your Mold inspection

It takes time and research to purchase a home. It can be risky to invest in the housing market because you cannot predict what the future holds. There will always be repairs and ongoing maintenance. However, it is a fact that homeownership can be risky. Most people avoid the surprise factor by hiring a home inspector to inspect the property.

A home inspection is essential and sometimes necessary to obtain funding from your lender. However, it might not be sufficient to ensure that you make a good purchase. When inspecting a home, the inspector won’t address mold problems or any potential mold growth. Many home inspectors will exclude mold from their contracts in order to avoid future liability. It’s possible that your dream home can turn into a nightmare if moisture or mold issues are not addressed or left unattended during the purchase process.

Hire a Mold Expert

Although mold is unlikely to cause structural damage to a house by itself, conditions that allow mold to grow can cause other structural problems like wood rot. This can sometimes mean that surface mold growth is easily covered up. Although it’s difficult to believe that anyone would cover up a problem that is known, it happens. It is important that the seller discloses any mold issues. However, it can be difficult and costly to prove that the seller knew about the problem and that it was a serious health issue. A Mold Specialists opinion may be a wise choice if you have allergies or health issues that could make your home more vulnerable to mold.

Mold can cause problems in any home, no matter how old or new. Older homes are subject to years of heavy use, which often leads to water damage events such as the overflowing bathtub or malfunctioning sump pumps. Many new homes have moisture control problems during construction, which can lead to mold growth in structural framing and other materials. A mold removal in Burlington County can help you identify potential areas of concern and determine the extent of visible mold damage. It is common for homes to have mold. However, it can be difficult to determine what is acceptable or unacceptable. This requires more knowledge and experience than your average realtor, home inspector, or friend.

You should look at these things.

You may want to have a mold inspection done on your soon-to-be home before you close the deal. However, there are many things you can do to eliminate potential problems.

• Avoid living in homes that have musty odors. Mold can produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which your nose will interpret as a “musty smell”. Mold can cause a musty or mildewy odor in your home. The more musty odors, the more likely it is that there is a mold problem.
• Check for signs of poor cleaning. To thrive, mold needs moisture, warmth, and a food source. Even if the home is kept dry, all three of these ingredients are common. Mold can quickly become a problem in a home if it is allowed to collect dust and grime on the interior surfaces. Be sure to inspect the window frames, behind heavy furniture and under the fridge. Mold and other allergens are more likely to be found in areas with a lot of dust or accumulated debris.
• Look for signs of water damage in the past. Open the cabinet where the facet runs and turn on the faucet to find out. Do not be afraid to ask questions. This could be your home. You should look for swelling of the baseboards, water spots, stains, and buckling floors. There is rarely any evidence of water damage. Although past water problems may not be an indicator of a mold problem in every case, they can be a clue.
• Avoid homes that smell clean, or have strong fragrances. Homeowners may make quick changes to improve the home’s value. A basement that smells strong of bleach or has strong floral scents could indicate that the seller is trying to conceal an issue.
• Don’t forget the old finishes. Many home preparations involve renovations. Look beyond the new flooring and freshly painted walls to see if there are any underlying issues or questionable workmanship. You should inspect corners, closets, under cabinets, and other difficult to reach places. While legitimate renovators will not leave any problems unattended, it is often easier to identify problems in a home that was cut corners.

These tips won’t replace a regular home inspection or the expertise of a mold expert when inspecting the house you are considering buying, but they can help you narrow down your options.