What Homeowners Need to Know About Mold
Wondering about mold in your home? You’re not alone. We’ve compiled the top tips for what homeowners need to know about mold. Whether you’re just buying your first home or have lived in your home for years, these tips can save you time and money.
Tip #1: Mold Matters
When mold is left to multiply, it can ravage parts of your home including carpets, walls, and furniture. At its worst, mold can even cause structural damage that puts your whole home at risk.
There are also a variety of health issues that can be caused by mold, including allergies, infections, and worsening asthma symptoms. Mold allergy symptoms - including irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and skin - can sometimes be delayed. If you haven’t been tested by an allergist, you may have this allergy without even knowing it.
Tip #2: Check for Signs of Mold
Visible mold will appear as patches of black, brown, green, or white spots on your walls, furniture, floors, and other surfaces. But mold can also lurk behind a home's surfaces, hidden by ceilings, walls, siding, and furniture upholstery. Signs of hidden mold include musty, earthy, or damp smells. If you smell signs of mold, pay attention to where the odor is strongest in each area of the home, including crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
Tip #3: Consider Testing for Mold
Even if you haven’t spotted signs of mold in the home, mold testing can provide you with peace of mind. This is especially true if anyone in your home is prone to asthma or other allergies.
If you have spotted visible mold, testing will tell you the types of mold growing. This may help inform how to remove it and prevent further growth but most mold can be handled in the same way. Whether or not you decide to test for the type of mold, it’s often a good idea to test after your mold removal process to confirm that it was effective.
If you’re buying a home, a mold test will help you make an informed choice, including negotiating for water leaks to be repaired or severe mold to be removed before closing. You can also renegotiate the value of the home if you anticipate costly mold-related repairs or mitigation needs after closing.
Tip #4: Choose a Mold Test Wisely
If you’re buying a home, a quality home inspector will help you spot visible signs of mold. Some inspectors are even certified to provide mold testing which can help you catch hidden mold before it causes damage.
If you suspect your current home has mold, you can still choose to have a mold inspection from a certified home inspector or you can try the DIY route with some at-home mold kits. There are benefits to both approaches but home inspectors typically have more advanced equipment. Plus they can help provide personalized report interpretation and guidance that even the most expensive DIY kits don’t offer.
Tip #5: Prevent Mold Growth
To minimize mold growth, your indoor humidity should be in the range of 50-60 percent. Many modern thermostats will tell you what the humidity in the room is but there are also mobile devices you can buy that will help you track the levels in any given room.
Dehumidifiers can help to both reduce humidity in the air and track humidity levels. Just make sure they’re appropriate for the size of the space you need, especially because they’re often needed in basements which can be larger than a typical room size.
Beyond humidity, water intrusion into the home is another major mold facilitator. Plan to check your home for signs of leaks regularly, especially after storms. If you notice any leak risks - such as damage to your roof, wet areas in your attic, or rainwater coming through your windows - it’s time to look into repairs or replacements.
Pay special attention to the type of room that’s expected to be wet often - the bathroom. Ventilation fans or a window can help remove moisture after showering and it’s best to clean these spaces with a mold-killing product.
Tip #6: Remove Mold
The size, severity, and location of the mold will have a big impact on your approach to removing it. For example, a cloth couch with visible mold growing on it can simply be removed from the home to avoid the potential for the spores to spread to other areas. On non-porous surfaces, such as the tile in your shower, you can typically remove the mold with standard household cleaners.
However, if you discover mold covering a large patch of your basement carpet and drywall, you likely have more complex issues that would benefit from professional assistance. You may have a leak or waterproofing issue so the root cause of the problem would need to be addressed in addition to replacing the carpet and drywall.
When in doubt, we always recommend contacting a professional to ensure the mold is handled properly and before any further damage can be done to your home or your health.
Conclusion
Mold is more than just an unsightly problem—it can be a serious threat to both your home and your health. By understanding how to identify, prevent, and remove mold, you can protect your investment and ensure a safe living environment. Regular inspections, maintaining proper humidity levels, and addressing water issues promptly are key steps in mold prevention. If you suspect a mold problem or are unsure about your home's condition, consider reaching out to a certified home inspector for guidance and peace of mind. Taking proactive measures today can save you from costly repairs and health issues down the road.
Tip #1: Mold Matters
When mold is left to multiply, it can ravage parts of your home including carpets, walls, and furniture. At its worst, mold can even cause structural damage that puts your whole home at risk.
There are also a variety of health issues that can be caused by mold, including allergies, infections, and worsening asthma symptoms. Mold allergy symptoms - including irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and skin - can sometimes be delayed. If you haven’t been tested by an allergist, you may have this allergy without even knowing it.
Tip #2: Check for Signs of Mold
Visible mold will appear as patches of black, brown, green, or white spots on your walls, furniture, floors, and other surfaces. But mold can also lurk behind a home's surfaces, hidden by ceilings, walls, siding, and furniture upholstery. Signs of hidden mold include musty, earthy, or damp smells. If you smell signs of mold, pay attention to where the odor is strongest in each area of the home, including crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
Tip #3: Consider Testing for Mold
Even if you haven’t spotted signs of mold in the home, mold testing can provide you with peace of mind. This is especially true if anyone in your home is prone to asthma or other allergies.
If you have spotted visible mold, testing will tell you the types of mold growing. This may help inform how to remove it and prevent further growth but most mold can be handled in the same way. Whether or not you decide to test for the type of mold, it’s often a good idea to test after your mold removal process to confirm that it was effective.
If you’re buying a home, a mold test will help you make an informed choice, including negotiating for water leaks to be repaired or severe mold to be removed before closing. You can also renegotiate the value of the home if you anticipate costly mold-related repairs or mitigation needs after closing.
Tip #4: Choose a Mold Test Wisely
If you’re buying a home, a quality home inspector will help you spot visible signs of mold. Some inspectors are even certified to provide mold testing which can help you catch hidden mold before it causes damage.
If you suspect your current home has mold, you can still choose to have a mold inspection from a certified home inspector or you can try the DIY route with some at-home mold kits. There are benefits to both approaches but home inspectors typically have more advanced equipment. Plus they can help provide personalized report interpretation and guidance that even the most expensive DIY kits don’t offer.
Tip #5: Prevent Mold Growth
To minimize mold growth, your indoor humidity should be in the range of 50-60 percent. Many modern thermostats will tell you what the humidity in the room is but there are also mobile devices you can buy that will help you track the levels in any given room.
Dehumidifiers can help to both reduce humidity in the air and track humidity levels. Just make sure they’re appropriate for the size of the space you need, especially because they’re often needed in basements which can be larger than a typical room size.
Beyond humidity, water intrusion into the home is another major mold facilitator. Plan to check your home for signs of leaks regularly, especially after storms. If you notice any leak risks - such as damage to your roof, wet areas in your attic, or rainwater coming through your windows - it’s time to look into repairs or replacements.
Pay special attention to the type of room that’s expected to be wet often - the bathroom. Ventilation fans or a window can help remove moisture after showering and it’s best to clean these spaces with a mold-killing product.
Tip #6: Remove Mold
The size, severity, and location of the mold will have a big impact on your approach to removing it. For example, a cloth couch with visible mold growing on it can simply be removed from the home to avoid the potential for the spores to spread to other areas. On non-porous surfaces, such as the tile in your shower, you can typically remove the mold with standard household cleaners.
However, if you discover mold covering a large patch of your basement carpet and drywall, you likely have more complex issues that would benefit from professional assistance. You may have a leak or waterproofing issue so the root cause of the problem would need to be addressed in addition to replacing the carpet and drywall.
When in doubt, we always recommend contacting a professional to ensure the mold is handled properly and before any further damage can be done to your home or your health.
Conclusion
Mold is more than just an unsightly problem—it can be a serious threat to both your home and your health. By understanding how to identify, prevent, and remove mold, you can protect your investment and ensure a safe living environment. Regular inspections, maintaining proper humidity levels, and addressing water issues promptly are key steps in mold prevention. If you suspect a mold problem or are unsure about your home's condition, consider reaching out to a certified home inspector for guidance and peace of mind. Taking proactive measures today can save you from costly repairs and health issues down the road.