Having a home inspection is a vital part of the home selling process. It also can be an anxiety-inducing one for the homeowner, who is worried they missed something, and the home buyer, who is worried it’s too good to be true. An in-depth home inspection may uncover minor issues both parties can agree on, but it can also uncover major issues such as health hazards. Today we’re looking at one of these home hazards: the presence of mold.
Why Does Mold Grow in the Home?
Mold (and mildew) are common home health hazards because they only really need one thing to grow: water. While warm temperatures will increase the growth rate, mold can grow in unheated parts of your home like unfinished basements – after all, mold after grows on refrigerated food. A home is normally built to keep rooms properly ventilated to avoid excess moisture, as well as protecting pipes from leaks. This mold produces spores that can cause allergies all the way to major health problems.
Home Issues That Cause Mold
Mold growth is a danger that needs to be dealt with, but also the underlying condition that allows it to form in the first place. As home inspectors, it’s not just about the mold but if there are issues with the home itself. Here are three of the most common:
- Leaks, Drips, and Pooling: Leaks that pass over walls or pool on floors are prime territory for mold growth, with underlying causes such as leaking pipes, weeping basements, and leaking appliances.
- Flooding and Water Damage: If the home has experienced water damage in the past, such as from an ice dam or basement flood, water-filled materials can act as a nest for mold, even behind walls.
- Humidity and Condensation: From using the shower to breathing out air, your home fills with moisture, raising its overall humidity. Homes with poor air flow or venting (such as in attics) can cause moisture to become trapped and condense into water.
What to Do After Mold Has Been Detected
Once a home inspector has found signs of mold and located the underlying issue, it’s time to sit down with all parties involved in the home purchase. Often it will fall to the seller to pay for mold removal and any repairs due to water damage, as well as any underlying issues such as leaking pipes.
Here at the Homeinex Corporation, we have been providing prompt and in-depth inspection in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire for over twenty-five years. If you have any questions about home inspections, including what to do if we find something, contact us today. We’ll help answer any questions you have and provide next day service on most home inspections.