subject: Information On Mold And Moisture Within Your Home [print this page] 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.
By the time mold shows up in the visible living areas of the home, chances are the structural members of the home in that are consumed by mold. At this point the only option is the completely remove the affected structural parts of the home and replace with new materials.
The most likely places for mold to form are anywhere that moisture is improperly vented. Potential problems would also occur if the home became flooded and was not completely or properly cleaned and dried after. Leaky plumbing from kitchens and bathrooms and damp basements are other likely candidates.
When an inspector checks your home, he may use a moisture meter or a thermal imaging camera. Tools like these allow the inspector to find moisture problems that may not be visible with the naked eye. If moisture levels of 20% or higher are discovered in the home mold could be present as this is an ideal situation for mold to grow.
Final Thoughts
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.
