Due to its negative health effects, you would not want to purchase a house with a mold problem. Unfortunately, it is very hard to spot mold spores with the naked eye. This means that you can easily purchase a house that has a mold problem without your knowledge. To avoid any issues, you should ask the seller to disclose mold issues, or hire a professional to detect the presence of mold in the house you would like to purchase. Doing this is very important, as it will help ensure there are no mold issues, and if there are, you will be able to negotiate for a better deal. This article looks at 5 major reasons you should have a house inspected for mold prior to buying it.
1. Mold Can Have Detrimental Health Effects
People are exposed to different amounts of mold spores on a daily basis, but this usually does not bring them any adverse effects. Mold only brings health issues when an individual is exposed to large quantities. This situation mostly happens where mold growth is very active. For most people, symptoms only appear after extremely high exposure. On the other hand, some people will start having problems even after minimal exposure. Mold has been linked to allergic reactions such as sneezing, watery eyes, and coughing. However, it can cause severe reactions, asthma attacks, and even death.
2. Mold Leads to Structural Damage
Mold has been known to cause serious structural damage to a house because it feeds on organic matter. Therefore, mold can infest insulation, carpeting, paper backing, and walls. Moreover, mold might destroy personal property within your house. This is because when the mold spores attach to an item, it might be difficult or impossible for you to clean up. At times, such property will have to be destroyed since the spores cannot be fully removed. You would not want this to happen to your new home just because you did not have the house you purchased inspected for the presence of mold.
3. Mold Inspections Save You Money
Mold inspection can save you a lot of money that you would have rather used in the future for removal and remediation. Inspections are very essential because sellers are not mandated to disclose mold issues in the house they are selling. This means that a seller can choose whether to tell you about the issue or not. In addition, sellers might go ahead to cover up the evidence by spackling or painting. You would not want to leave anything to chance by ignoring mold inspection.
4. Mold Inspection Helps Identify Other Problems
A mold inspection conducted by a professional not only helps to identify the presence of mold, but also detects other problems causing the mold growth. Therefore, if there is mold in the house you want to buy, this could suggest other issues related to plumbing, ventilation, and air conditioning. This is because mold requires conditions like moisture, warmth, and organic matter to grow. Moisture is the main cause, and the presence of mold in a house simply suggests that there is a moisture problem. Leaking pipes and roofs, a damp basement, and flooding are some major causes of mold in a house. Understanding these issues is very important as it can help you get a better deal on the house, if you are still interested in going on with the purchase.
5. You Cannot Know the Presence of Mold Just by Looking
Conducting mold inspection will be very beneficial to you, as a homebuyer, because not all mold is visible. Mold spores are microscopic and cannot be seen by the naked eye. It is for this reason that you should consider having a professional to inspect that house you want to buy.
If you have been looking to buy a house and happen to find one that you think would be a good fit, you are most likely to be filled with lots of emotions involving this ‘perfect house’. This could blind you to overlook some factors that could be making the house not work as expected. Mold is one major challenge facing homeowners. Due to this, most sellers do not disclose that the house they are selling has mold. It is for this reason that you should consider inspecting a home for mold prior to purchasing. This is essential as it not only helps keep you and your family safe, but also helps you save on money that you would have used in the future to remove the mold problem.