There are a lot of things to look out for when buying a new house. Generally the things to check on include things as location, plumbing, wiring, the condition of the roof, and many other factors. One commonly overlooked factor is mold in the home.
Mold can manifest itself in many forms. All types of mold need the same things to grow, moisture and dark spaces. Areas like this include attics, crawl spaces, and basements. These areas are prone to moisture problems through the lack of ventilation or leaks from the structure or the plumbing. Mold will not only cause structural problems with the home, but also have health implications to you and your family.
If you are already seeing mold in your home, chances are the problem is more extensive and will require major repairs or renovations to remove the mold. At this point the best thing you can do is contact a contractor that is certified in mold removal.
The areas we discussed that are most likely to be affected by mold are not the only potentially affected areas. Other affected areas include the interior in the event that the home flooded or even from a failed appliance like a busted water heater or flooded washing machine, leaky pipes, or flooded basements.
One method for checking for mold is with a moisture meter or with an infrared camera. These tools help to locate moisture in your home. Moisture levels of 20% or higher are considered extremely high and prime locations for mold to grow.
Final Remarks
You should have your home checked over by an experienced mold inspector at least annually if there is any worry of mold beginning to grow, or if there has been mold in the past. Mold can be an expensive problem to deal with so be proactive about looking for it, it can save you money in the long run.