What to Do If a Home Inspection Finds Mold
“Mold” is the last thing you want to hear when you’re making an offer on a house. While this could be unsettling news, mold doesn’t have to be a deal breaker, as Michelle Hopkin ProTec Inspection Services explained to Realtors at a recent visit to Central Properties. When mold is suspected, a home inspector certified to test for mold should visit the property to determine the scope of the problem, and to recommend a course of action for remediation.
There are many types of mold in the environment, some types produce allergies, and others are toxic–a simple test will uncover the type of mold in question. Make sure to hire a third party inspector that doesn’t have a financial interest in the remediation.
The good news is that mold is a fixable problem, here are some tips on dealing with mold:
- Mold needs moisture: if there is high humidity, recent leaks, a musty smell, or if you have allergies to mold, it may be a good idea to test and check for mold.
- Your home HVAC humidifier should be off during the damp Spring and Summer months.
- Combat mold with better air circulation: make sure registers and air returns aren’t blocked in the basement, change air-filters frequently.
- Remediation may include high-capacity air scrubbing with industrial HEPA filters.
- Mold doesn’t grow on metal: cleaning dirt in air ducts will abate mold, so don’t waste money on additional remediation treatments.
- If moisture is a problem, extend the downspout, clean the gutters, and re-grade the property (a good tip for any homeowner).
Check out ProTec Inspection Services for home inspection and testing services.
