My Home Inspector Found Mold – Now What?

Home Inspector Found Mold In A South Jersey Real Estate Property

Has your home inspector found mold and you don’t know what to do next? Mold is everywhere. Even the outdoor air we breathe contains some level of mold spores. However, this does not mean that a home with mold problems should be overlooked. If you are looking to buy a home, it is a good idea to learn how to detect signs a mold inspection is needed in a home, as it is a rather common household issue. You should also speak to the seller of the home and have them disclose any mold issues within the home. It is important that you and the home’s seller are on the same page.

As with any problem that is found during a routine home inspection, it should be properly addressed prior to close or arrangements should be made to address it following close. A thorough home inspector will be able to tell you all the problems with any house you are considering buying. Keep in mind that if your home inspector found mold, it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. The majority of mold issues can be solved. A professional mold remediation company in New Jersey will have the necessary tools and experience to properly remove the mold and restore safe conditions. 

Signs of a Mold Problem in South Jersey Homes

Mold comes in a variety of forms. There are a multitude of signs to look for when you are keeping your eye out for potential mold damage. This is why it is important to know what to look for when you are checking out prospective homes.

• Visible Signs:
  1. Colors: Mold can be found in a few different colors. These colors include black, white, gray, green, and brown.
  2. Staining: Dark staining on wood or other porous building material is a huge indicator of mold. The staining is generally caused by moisture seeping into the porous building material. This moisture is what mold thrives on.
  3. Mold Growth: Mold is commonly seen as a chalky, powdery substance that can grow on almost any material. It can be hard to see at times because it is generally not very noticeable. Sometimes this mold is only visible at certain angles or in certain lighting.
• Non-visible Signs:
  1. Odor: Sometimes you can’t always see when there is mold in a home, but that doesn’t mean it goes undetected. Mold has a musty, earthy, unpleasant odor to it. You may notice this odor in a home that you are thinking of buying. If that is the case, you should bring it up with the seller, as this is a telltale sign of mold problems.
  2. Physical Symptoms: Mold can cause potential allergic reactions in some people. Not everyone experiences the same sensitivities, but if you are noticing certain symptoms when entering a home, it can possibly be indicative of a mold problem. Sneezing, sore throat, itchy eyes, headache, and irritated skin are some of the common allergic reactions that certain people have to mold.
• Conditions conducive to mold growth:
  1. Mold generally thrives in a warm, damp environment. However, this doesn’t mean that it can’t grow under other conditions as well. Anywhere that excess moisture is found can be conducive to mold growth. This makes basements, attics, bathrooms, and kitchens prime suspects in your search for signs of mold issues.  

Scheduling A Mold Inspection When a Home Inspector Finds Mold

In the event that your home inspector found mold (or possible mold), you will want to set up a mold inspection promptly. First and foremost, the mold inspector will be able to give you a clear answer about whether or not there is in fact mold. They will also be able to explain the severity of the damage and what needs to be done moving forward.

The first thing that a mold inspector does when they walk into the home is conduct a visual inspection. They are simply looking for conditions that are conducive to mold growth. After that, they will digitally document the areas of concern to use as a photographic reference. The inspector will then conduct thermal imaging and moisture mapping. These steps are important because they are able to locate areas that are damp or wet that may not be visible to the naked eye. When all of these steps have been completed, the mold inspector will determine whether or not professional mold testing is necessary.

Professional Mold Testing & Air Quality Testing Service in South Jersey

If you home inspector found mold, you might need to hire a professional to conduct testing. Mold testing can help to determine if there is an elevated mold presence, mold elevation levels and species present. 

If you’ve decided to go through with the testing, the mold inspector will first take an outdoor spore count to use as a control variable. These are natural levels of mold found in the outdoor area. This is what is used in comparison to the tests taken inside the home. The inspector uses a combination of airborne mold tests and surface mold tests. This helps to get a full scope of the issues you may be dealing with. After the initial inspection, the mold tests are then sent out to a third party lab to be analyzed. If the spore count from indoors is higher than that of the outdoors, you are looking at a potential mold problem. The mold inspector will be able to explain to you not only whether or not you have a mold problem, but also the specific species of mold you are dealing with.

Don’t let mold discourage you from finding your dream home. There is almost always a solution to any mold issue you may encounter in your house hunting endeavors. If a home inspector found mold, a professional mold inspector in South Jersey will be able to get to the bottom of the issue and provide you with an appropriate solution.