Congrats! You’re on your way to home ownership, and now you are shopping around for a home. You may have even already found the exact home you want, and are thinking about putting in an offer. However, it is important to know whether that home is healthy enough to secure your investment in it. A big factor in this is knowing whether or not the home has mold growth.
Mold can effect the structure of the home, and can compromise the integrity of the foundation. It can also cause health problems if inhaled. Mold spores can be commonly found almost anywhere, both inside and outside, but especially in dark moist areas. If left untreated, it can eat through whatever surface it is on, and grow and expand to other areas as well.
Mold isn’t always easy to spot either. It can be in corners, underneath sinks and cupboards, and even behind walls and underneath the house. This is exactly why it is wise (and pertinent) that you have the home professionally inspected for mold before putting in an offer.
Discovering mold in a property is never a pleasant surprise. Additionally, this discovery can come with mold removal and mold remediation costs that were previously unforeseen. If you are in California, you have more of a safety net due to the fact that any mold in the house has to be disclosed to any potential buyers. However, if the property is sold “as is”, or if the mold issue is unknown to both parties, it can create more issues for whoever is buying the property. No one wants to deal with mold, but especially no one wants to go into legal disputes over mold problems. As mentioned earlier, this is another reason to schedule a professional mold inspection on the property.
A home inspector is different from a mold inspector. Home inspectors often include clauses in their contracts that explicitly state their inspections do not cover mold in the home. More often than not, if they spot mold they will alert the homeowners of it, but that is up to their discretion. However, they may not be looking for mold specifically, so their may be problems regardless of their inspection.
Blatant mold problems can be more visual. They can also be identified by musty smells of with any evidence of lingering water damage. If mold is spotted in the property, it can’t simply be cleaned with some soap and water. The area requires professional remediation and restoration if necessary. For this kind of work you’ll want to hire a reliable restorations company. If the mold ends up being toxic, you might want to reconsider your offer on the property.
Even if the home inspector does not recommend a mold inspection for the home, is that something you’re willing to risk? Only you can decide what is right for you. For more information on mold in homes and how to identify it, or to schedule a professional inspection, or for any remediation services, give us a call at 619-284-4239, or contact us at cleanearthrestorations.com.
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