What Happens if Mold is Found During a Home Inspection?
Home inspections can be very stressful for the buyer and seller. Both parties want the process to go smoothly, and any issue found during the inspection can add complication to the home buying process. This is especially true if an inspector suspects mold because it can be complex to remedy.
CHC Home Inspection is your home inspection solution across the entire state of Kentucky, and our team has the information you need to move forward if the inspector finds mold during your home inspection.
The Problem With Mold
Many people don’t realize the dangers of mold in their homes. After all, we’ve all had moldy cheese or fruit in our house, and everything turned out fine. The difference between the mold that grows on food is that fuzzy strawberries go in the trash, and that’s the end of the issue. Breathing in spores from mold growing in your home can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation if you breath them in or touch it. Once established, mold spreads rapidly, so treating the problem as quickly as possible is essential.
Mold Often Goes Unnoticed
An average home inspection does not involve looking for mold or testing for mold specifically. Before mold spreads to visible areas in a home, it grows between gaps within your walls. A home inspector will look for signs of water leaks and damage, which can indicate a mold problem, but many inspections do not seek out mold specifically during their routine inspection process.
In fact, a home inspector cannot spore test a home—a more intensive process—during a routine home inspection. Instead, they will mark your report with a statement that there was a fungal/algae/mildew growth noticed—which gives you as a home owner the chance to complete a professional mold inspection or seek remediation.
A professional mold inspection is the best way to know for certain if you know or think you may have a mold problem—not in your home inspection.
What Happens When Mold is Found?
If your home inspector marks your report with a statement that there was a fungal/algae/mildew growth noticed, the location should be carefully noted. If you so choose, you should complete an official mold inspection or get in contact with a mold remediation service to remove the mold and repair any damage.
The cost for mold remediation varies significantly based on the size of the area affected and the amount of damage caused. You can expect to pay anywhere between $500 and $5,000.
Will Mold Cause a Home to Fail an Inspection?
Not necessarily. When a home inspector marks your report with a statement that there was a fungal/algae/mildew growth noticed, it’s generally the responsibility of the seller to handle the problem. Your realtor will inform prospective buyers that that there was a fungal/algae/mildew growth noticed, and you will need to address this or alter your pricing strategy so that the incoming home buyer can address the issue.
If you seek remediation, you should give them the information to assure them that a professional remediation process solved the problem, and the home is safe. A reputable remediation company should give you full documentation for this process.
Preventing Mold
It’s much easier to prevent mold than it is to treat it.
Ensure moist areas of your home, like bathrooms and kitchens, have proper ventilation. It's more difficult for mold to begin growing when air is circulating correctly.
Use the ventilation fans whenever you shower or cook on the stovetop.
Consider a dehumidifier. Using a dehumidifier during the summer months helps to prevent mold growth.
If you notice any water leaks, have them fixed by a professional as quickly as possible, as this will help prevent mold from gaining a foothold.
Contact Us
Our team of licensed inspectors has the experience and expertise to perform various home inspections, including specialty options like termite inspections and air quality testing. Call us today at 1-800-975-0275 or request an insurance quote on our website.
With locations in Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, CHC Home Inspection is happy to serve the entire state of Kentucky from Paducah to Pikeville, including Lexington, Louisville, Liberty, Somerset, Georgetown, Nicholasville, KY and the surrounding areas.