Why Mold Inspections Are So Important for Your Home

If you are moving into a home, there are a few things you want to have checked out first, like the plumbing and electrical systems. You should get a roof inspection done as well, because you may not be able to check the roof out for yourself. These are areas of the home where you might not have access or expertise. Another inspection that you should think about doing is one for mold.

Why get the home checked for mold? It’s a good idea whether you are moving into a home or you just want to preserve the value of the home you are in. Very few people have regular mold inspections done, but we want to share with you why it is important to have a mold check done every so often in your current home or a mold inspection performed before you move into a new home.

Mold Is a Hidden Danger

If there is mold in the home, it is possible that you won’t even see it on your own. You may not be able to look in the places where mold is hiding, like in the basement or attic, or behind the walls. It could be hiding under furniture or behind appliances. Mold tends to grow in dark, damp places, and if water can seep under a wall or behind an appliance, mold can grow from there easily. You may not know it is there until the problem becomes quite immense.

Mold often goes unnoticed for weeks. There is a smell that you may notice, but then again, the musky, unpleasant odor could go unnoticed as well. You may see the dark mass of mold growing, but it often grows in places that are out of the way. You may see water collecting where mold has been growing, but the water could be hidden from sight as well.

It is important to have a mold inspection done because there is no way to know for sure that mold is not present unless you do that. A professional will be able to find mold by detecting spores in the air. Those spores are so small you usually cannot even see them, but professional inspectors will have detection equipment that can help lead them to the source of any mold present.

Mold Will Destroy Over Time

Mold causes all sorts of problems that might not be evident or serious right away. At first, its presence is limited and its damage is minor. Then, as the mold growth increases, it starts to cause more serious, damaging effects. The mold can eat into biological materials, like wood and paper. It can hurt structural materials, weakening them and making them look unsightly.

Mold can also cause health problems, and this is probably the most vital reason to deal with it quickly and professionally. When mold spores get into the air, they can enter your nose and mouth, creating symptoms that are similar to colds, flu, and allergies. They may cause stuffy nose, runny nose, restricted breathing, wheezing, sneezing, fatigue, insomnia, body aches, and similar symptoms. What you think maybe a cold making its way around your household could actually be mold spores looking for more places to grow. The more mold you have in your home, the worse these kinds of symptoms will be.

The health problems can worsen over time. As mold destroys organic building materials in your home the longer it stays there and spreads further through the house, it will do the same to your health. It will greatly affect your respiratory system, particularly your sinuses and lungs as it grows and reproduces. If it is not dealt with quickly and definitively, then you can suffer from health problems that might not go away just because the mold has been cleared up.

What Can You Do?

If a  potential home buyer finds mold in your home, your property values will suffer. You want to deal with it quickly. If you get ready to move into a new home and you find mold present, you should have it removed before moving your stuff in.
You can do some of the work yourself, especially if the mold contamination is minor. You can clean the affected areas using mold-killing sprays or simply bleach. Use a cloth to wipe the mold clean, and then thoroughly sanitize and disinfect the cloth after you use it. Make sure every last visible sign of mold is removed.

"You can also have professional cleaning services work in your home to deal with mold that you might not see," adds John Myers with a home cleaning company. They may be able to clean more thoroughly and get rid of mold more effectively than you. If you suspect there is mold present, let them know so they can look out for it and deal with any excess water as well that could lead to mold growth.

Your third option is to bring in a mold remediation expert. They can detect mold and then remove it for the home. This will be the most effective method, but it is also the costliest. Still, if you want to protect your health and the investment and value of your home, it may be necessary.

The worst kind of mold is black mold, which is more dangerous and harder to get rid of than regular mold. In some areas, the local ordinances require professional mold removal for black mold.

To minimize mold growth in future, keep all areas of your home well-ventilated and clear of water. Clean up spills as quickly as you can, and have your home checked for leaks regularly. Also, have your home cleaned thoroughly and frequently to prevent mold growth from getting out of hand. As soon as you suspect you may have mold present, get on the problem right away and don’t wait for it to get worse.

Mold is the enemy of wooden structures specifically, so take extra precautions in areas of your home that have wooden material that will be more susceptible to mold damage.