Should I Buy a House With Mold?

 

Picture this, you’ve spent months searching for your dream house and you’ve finally found it. Great neighborhood, excellent layout, plenty of room to grow—oh, and mold spores in the attic. Yikes. Bet you didn’t see that coming.

But you still love the property. Does that mean you should buy a house with mold?

We get that it’s not exactly ideal, but it definitely shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. Below we’ll talk about the dos and don’ts of buying a house with mold. 

Should I Buy a House With Mold in the Crawl Space?

If your home inspector discovered mold in the crawl space, you should be concerned. Given the right conditions, mold populates and spreads like crazy. Without proper remediation from a reputable mold removal company, mold spores will fester into other rooms of your home. 

Here’s how to stop mold in its tracks:

Get a buyer’s survey to know a) what’s causing the mold and b) how much it costs to fix it. If you have relatively easy remediation, don’t let a house with mold deter you from purchasing the property. However, if the acceleration or cause of mold growth compromises the property’s structural integrity, you may want to consider another home. 

Common Sources of Mold Problems

With the right conditions, mold can grow just about anywhere. These are the most common areas where mold is found in your home. 

Attic

Roof leaks cause mold development in attics, and since they’re not inspected often, mold tends to accumulate more in these spaces.

Roof

Although the roof protects your home, the top of your property takes a beating from the elements. Residual moisture creates algae and moss, which leads to mold spreading to the interior of your home. 

Plumbing

Pipes are everywhere. When they’re damaged, moisture leaks impact your floors, walls, and ceilings. Look for wet spots and cracked paint. If you spot any, there’s a chance mold has started to grow behind the walls.

Bathroom

It’s not surprising that bathrooms are a common area for mold. You may, however, be amazed to know where bathroom mold is found. 

Surprising places where bathroom mold is found:

  • Around shampoo bottles
  • Inside toothbrush holder
  • Under the sink
  • On bathroom floors
  • In bathtub toys
  • Underneath floor mats
  • Behind wallpaper
  • On shower curtain

Crawl space

Dark, confined areas are prime real estate for mold. This makes basements, crawlspaces, and other moisture-prone places the ideal spot for mold.   

Know When to Walk Away From a House With Mold

When buying a house, you have to know when it’s time to walk away. 

If you agree to purchase the property as-is, know that you’re in a buyer-beware situation. However, if your heart is set on a property with mold, consider the home’s price and value versus the mold remediation cost. Negotiate with the seller’s real estate agent and suggest the seller pay for removal and remediation. 

No matter what is decided, be sure to get everything in writing. Document before and after, ask for records of remediation and hire a third-party inspector to verify removal and remediation were done properly. 

Will My Insurance Help With Remediation?

Here’s what you need to know about buying a home with mold: it’s a pre-existing condition. This means insurance won’t cover the costs to remove or remediate the damage. Not to mention, the cause of water damage that led to mold in your home likely isn’t fixed and will get worse. 

Read the difference between Mold Remediation and Mold Removal

When Should I Get Home Mold Testing?

mold test - Should I Buy a House With Mold?

Mold testing isn’t typical when purchasing a property. A general home inspector will bring any abnormalities to your attention. 

If there are signs of water damage (standing water, stains + spots on the ceiling, leaks, excess moisture, indoor humidity, etc.) you should hire a home inspector to assess the property for mold and mildew. 

Pro tip: Be sure to hire a certified mold inspector of your choice, not the seller’s. 

Can a House With Mold Be Fixed?

Unfortunately, mold will never be completely eradicated from your property. The overall goal of remediation is to eliminate as many microscopic spores as possible. In most homes, the mold levels should be around 1-1,500. Numbers exceeding that number may impact your wellness. 

When you contact a mold remediation specialist for professional services, they’ll test the current mold count of the room(s). If it is between 10,000 and 25,000, you’ll need remediation right away. 

DRIRITE® mold removal specialists will quickly and efficiently cleanse and mitigate your property. When it comes to a mold-related problem, we’ll be on-site FAST, no matter where you live.

Are You Considering Buying a Home With Mold? Call DRIRITE®

When the home of your dreams has mold, contact a local company that specializes in mold remediation. DRIRITE® offers free, no-hassle estimates for your mold remediation, mold removal, and mold cleanup emergencies. We’ll protect your home and occupants from health-related mold issues.

DRIRITE® guarantees your property against secondary damages, including staining, odors, mold growth, and compromised structural integrity.

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