Purchasing a new home is an exciting and thrilling undertaking for any person or family. And oftentimes, getting a new home signals the beginning of a new phase in your life. It is an investment that supposedly opens new doors of opportunity for you where you can build your future career or your family. But what happens when unfortunately a few days after your purchase you’ve discovered a growing pesky mold problem in your house?
This is why in this article, we will talk about what is mold and what are the signs that there is mold in your home, and finally, why you should get rid of mold as soon as you can.
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| Mold Testing Important When Buying a New Home |
What is mold and why is it dangerous?
Mold is a form of fungus that grows in damp, humid and moist areas. There are different types of mold with a variety of color, texture, and form. Sometimes you can identify visible mold based on its color–yellow, white, green, or black.
Mold growth is a common household problem. It thrives in objects or areas in your home that are most frequently damp such as the bathroom, basement, and the attic. On other occasions, it can also grow on clothes, and appliances like your washing machine. Apart from destroying the surface or object where it is growing, molds can also pose a health risk.
Certain kinds of mold emit toxic substances in the air that can cause an allergic reaction especially to a person with a weak immune system. But the most infamous type of mold is what is usually referred to as “black mold”. Black mold is a species of fungus that typically has a very dark green or black color. It appears as a stain or discoloration on the surface and has a distinctive musty smell. Unfortunately, it also emits toxins that can be harmful to a person’s health. Some of the complications that are a result of black mold poisoning are discomfort, difficulty in breathing, runny nose, headache and in severe cases, permanent damage to internal organs.
So although mold growth is a common household problem, do know that its dangers could raise to alarming levels if continuously left untreated. For this reason, it is of utmost importance that you make sure that the house you’re buying is free of any mold problem because you wouldn’t want to risk your family’s health and spend on unnecessary expenses that could have been avoided.
Signs of Mold
1. Leaks and Water Damage or History of Flooding
If you’ve noticed that there are roof leaks or any type of water damage in the plumbing system of the house, then the chances that the property could be suffering from a mold problem is high. First, check if there are discolorations in the roof particularly in the rafters, sheathing, and joists. A discoloration is an indication that there are gaps in the roof where moisture can come through, and we know that a moist surface is an ideal environment for mold to thrive. Moreover, not only leaking roofs and a faulty pipe or plumbing system would cost you additional renovation costs, but you might also have to set aside an extra budget for mold testing and removal later on.
An additional tip is to ask around if the property has had a history of flooding. You might want to check the parts of the house that has been flooded in the past. This is because moisture might still be present in these areas even long after the flooding took place.
2. Colored Spots on the Walls
If you have discovered stains on the walls, it means that there has been water or moisture infiltration on those spots that caused the discoloration. On the contrary, if you didn’t see any visible mold growing on the surface, it does not mean however that the walls are mold-free. Remember that sometimes mold grow underneath the painted surface or behind the walls.
3. Bubbling or Peeling on Walls
High humidity, condensation, and water leaks are the common causes for the bubbling, peeling, and cracking of walls. Actually, these are signs that the walls of the house are damp. Normally, these issues are often hidden inside the wall thus, if you’ve seen any bubbling or cracking, you might want to check if there is already a mold colony growing near the peeled or cracked area. Otherwise, if you didn’t see anything at first, it could be because a larger mold colony is growing on the other side of the wall.
4. Dark Stains on the Bathroom Tiles
Bathrooms or shower areas are the most common places where molds usually develop because of high moisture content in the air. The molds growing in the bathroom are usually the easiest to spot because of their noticeable dark color. If the supposedly white tile grout of the bathroom or shower area is heavily stained by a dark green or black-ish color, then you are almost always certain that it isn’t just an ordinary stain. It could be a mold colony thriving in your bathroom.
5. Musty Smell
The musty smell is a strong indication of mold presence. If the house you are visiting reeks of a stale foul odor that you can’t quite figure out where it is coming from, then chances are that there is already an escalating mold problem growing in the house. You might want to reconsider your options and weigh in the pros and cons of each property.
Buying a new home should be fun and exciting especially for a family looking to have a house upgrade. However, if you’re not careful enough, you might end up regretting your new purchase. Remember that the cheapest option might not always be the best choice. Hence, to make sure that your new home is worth your money, go to mold test Richmond and they’ll help ensure your money’s worth and your family’s safety.
September 14, 2019
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