Home Buyers Beware of Mold

Toxic mold is an increasing concern for home buyers, sellers, and insurance companies.  Today’s energy-efficient buildings are so tightly sealed that poor air flow can easily create the perfect environment for mold growth. The same holds true for moisture problems in older homes not sealed enough.

Toxic mold found in homes has been proven to cause a multitude of illnesses in otherwise healthy people.  Harmful molds produce mycotoxins  - and once in the body, they can cause serious health problems (asthma, respiratory problems, skin rashes, dry cough, stomach aches, disorientation and more). Because affected homeowners have been awarded millions of dollars in damages from insurance companies, those same companies are eliminating or the very least, limiting homeowner policy coverage for mold related damages.

The Truth About Mold - Just about every home has some form of mold growing in it.  Even though most household molds are typically harmless , some people can be still be allergic and get sick. Molds like penicilium, cladosporium, stachybotrys and black mold are very toxic and can be a major health concern for anyone who’s been exposed over a prolonged period. Though some molds can be harmless to humans, homeowners should be aware that those same molds can wreck havoc on their home. If left unchecked, mold can cause structural damage to a home and become a costly clean-up situation.

Causes of Mold-  The two main conditions that allow mold to grow are: 

1. Excessive Moisture - Caused by a plumbing problem, leaky roof, poor  drainage or excessive humidity in areas like bathrooms or laundry rooms.
2. Food Source - Mold will feed on wood, fabric, paper, leather, fiberboard, stucco, drywall and many insulation materials.

Signs of Mold - The most common signs of mold growing in a home are:

• A musty or mildewy smell
• Stains on ceilings and/or walls
• Speckled patterns on or behind walls, tile, grout, air ducts or other surfaces
• Unexplained illness in combination with some or all of the signs listed above

Test & Get Rid of It - The mold growing that is visible doesn’t need to be tested - just get rid of it. If you find a small amount of mold in your home (less than a 10 square-foot patch), the Environmental Protection Agency says that you may be able to remove it yourself without having to bring in a professional clean up contractor.

Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, then allow to dry thoroughly. Bleach also kills mold growth but should only be used in well a ventilated room and on a non-porous surface. Test the area after it’s been cleaned to make sure that all mold growth has been eliminated.  You should also test if you’ve had recent water damage or there’s an unexplained illness, where mold exposure is suspect. Call in the professionals in this type of situation and make sure they have credentials and references.

You will also need to call in a contractor when cleaning up mold in larger or hard to reach areas, like air ducts or behind walls. A poorly done clean up job could cause mold to spread throughout your house and make matters worse. The clean up contractor’s sampling analysis should follow guidelines recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional and credentialed organizations.

Mold Prevention - It’s much easier and a lot less costly to prevent mold growth in your home than getting trying to get rid of it. In order to do so, you’ll have to pay due diligence to regular and thorough house cleanings. Focus on these particular areas to keep your house mold free:

• Clean and reseal grout on a regular basis to prevent moisture from soaking through to walls and floors
• Repair leaks from roofs, water pipes, water heaters, etc as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
• Seal up or caulk sinks, showers and tubs and anywhere that could potentially leak in water
• Create proper ventilation throughout your home
• Maintain interior humidity level at 55% or lower
• Remove wet materials caused by flooding or other water problems

As a home buyer, it’s recommended to hire an experienced home inspector that knows what to look for in locating potential mold growth. Also, make sure that your homeowners policy will cover mold related damage - If not, take out a rider policy that will cover it.
 

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