Buying a house can be an exciting and stressful time, especially when you are ready to conduct the home inspection. This crucial part of the homebuying process checks for a wide range of potential issues with the property. While most inspections focus on structural concerns, you should also be mindful of factors that could affect your family’s health, such as whether the house needs mold remediation.

Where Are Mold Problems Most Commonly Found?

Mold issues are often linked to water damage, though high humidity and poor ventilation can also create ideal conditions for mold to thrive. Any site where there has been a water leak is a likely candidate for mold growth.

Unsurprisingly, mold growths are most commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms, due to the presence of water fixtures. Showers and bathtubs are frequently damp, and the areas behind toilets and below sinks are also prone to mold growth. Other areas that should be inspected include windowsills, where indoor condensation occurs, and the pantry, where spilled food can also fuel mold growth. Mold can even appear in the household ducts.

What Should You Do if Mold Remediation Is Needed?

Mold growth can pose a significant health risk, including breathing problems and skin irritation, and as such, it should be addressed before you close on the house. Prospective buyers should either have the sellers take care of the issue alongside other maintenance issues or negotiate a lower price that reflects how much they will need to spend for mold remediation. If the house has significant growth that is likely to return, even with extensive remediation, you may want to consider walking away from the sale.

From mold remediation to fire and smoke odor removal, FloodCo will help you recover after disaster strikes your property. Serving the Flathead Valley and northwest Montana areas, their fully licensed and insured contractors offer comprehensive services to get your life back on track. To learn more about their work, visit them online, or call (406) 892-1717 to request a free on-site inspection and estimate.