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.
When checking for mold, you should consider using a moisture meter or an infrared camera. If moisture levels of 20% or higher are found your home is considered vulnerable to mold growth.
Final Thoughts
If you feel your home is home may have mold, or has had mold in the past, it would be wise to have a certified mold inspector inspect your home once a year. This proactive measure will allow you to save money on by avoiding repair costs and will help keep you family healthy.
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