There are a lot of things to look out for when buying a new house. Generally the things to check on include things as location, plumbing, wiring, the condition of the roof, and many other factors. One commonly overlooked factor is mold in the home.
Mold can manifest itself in many forms. All types of mold need the same things to grow, moisture and dark spaces. Areas like this include attics, crawl spaces, and basements. These areas are prone to moisture problems through the lack of ventilation or leaks from the structure or the plumbing. Mold will not only cause structural problems with the home, but also have health implications to you and your family.
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 areas we discussed that are most likely to be affected by mold are not the only potentially affected areas. Other affected areas include the interior in the event that the home flooded or even from a failed appliance like a busted water heater or flooded washing machine, leaky pipes, or flooded basements.
One method for checking for mold is with a moisture meter or with an infrared camera. These tools help to locate moisture in your home. Moisture levels of 20% or higher are considered extremely high and prime locations for mold to grow.
Closing Comments
Be proactive if you feel your home is susceptible to mold or has experienced moisture problems in the past. You should get your home inspected annually by a certified mold inspector. Staying on top of the situation will not only save you repair dollars but also protect you familys health.
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