Leaky roofs, cracked foundations, faulty water pipes and plumbing fixtures, condensation, flooding, and poor drainage are all common causes of mold. When water seeps into drywall, it is quickly absorbed, making your ceiling or wall a haven for mold.

If you suspect you have mold in your home, but aren’t quite sure what it is, there is a simple test you can try, assuming you can reach the area: Carefully apply a drop or two of diluted bleach to the surface. If it’s mold, the color will lighten within a minute or so.

Health issues caused by mold

There are several different types of mold, all of which can cause allergic reactions and respiratory issues, including:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Irritation of mucous membranes in nose and throat
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Skin rashes

Exposure to mold is especially hazardous to people with health conditions like asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, severe allergies, and compromised immune systems. Even pets can experience allergic reactions.

Black mold (stachybotryschartarum) is the most toxic type of mold, and it is especially fond of damp or water-damaged drywall and other cellulose-rich construction materials. Professional mold remediation is recommended for black mold.

Getting rid of mold

While black mold should be treated by professionals, homeowners can remove many types of surface moldwith commercial cleaning products that target mold, or with a homemade cleaning solution of one cup of bleach per gallon of water. Bleach is an irritant, so if you make your own cleaner, be sure to wear rubber gloves, safety glasses, and have good ventilationbefore spraying or brushing the mixture onto the moldy surface and letting it dry.

Because mold is persistent, it can be especially difficult to eradicate in porous materials, including drywall. If you don’t kill it all the first time, mold can grow back. That’s why replacing mold-damaged materials may be the most effective long-term option.

If you hire a mold remediation or abatement company, remember their top priority is eliminating mold, and the fastest and most effective way to do that is often to remove the damaged materials along with the mold.

The mold is gone, what happens next?

Cleaning mold or even replacing the drywall won’t do much long if the underlying cause hasn’t been addressed—leaks, broken pipes, or other drainage issues must be repaired before the drywall is replaced, or the mold will return. If you’re unsure where the moisture is coming from, it’s a good idea to hire a construction professional who can make any necessary repairs so the new gypsum isn’t just covering up a bigger issue.

Hiring a professional to replace the damaged drywall makes sense for large jobs, but it’s also a good idea for smaller jobs in hard-to-reach areas.

Even better, experts in drywall installation are so skilled that when they’re done you won’t be able to see any tape lines or uneven joint compound, so you’ll never know where the old gypsum ends and the new drywall begins.

Preventing mold

Because mold thrives in damp, warm environments, there are several things you can do to prevent it from taking up residence at your home.

1. Inspect interior and exterior pipes and plumbing fixtures for leaks, and make any needed repairs
2. Clean gutters and downspouts so rainwater flows freely out and away from your home
3. Repair any cracks or holes in the foundation
4. Check the roof and flashing around skylights, windowsm, and chimneys for potential leaks, and repair as necessary
5. Provide proper ventilation, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and attics
6. Use air conditioners or dehumidifiers to control indoor humidity levels (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests indoor humidity levels be no more than 50%)
7. Consider using moisture-absorption products in closets, basements, or other damp spaces
8. Add mold-inhibitor to paint when painting areas that may be prone to mold, like bathrooms, kitchens, or basements

If your walls or ceilings have been damaged by mold and you want to start fresh, contact us. We’d be glad to discuss options for replacing some or all of the affected drywall.

Once your realtor has helped you locate a home you’re interested in purchasing and after you’ve made an offer which the owner has accepted, you’ll sign a contract that should include a contingency clause.

This clause simply provides that if inspection reveals a serious problem within a specified period of time, you can cancel or void your purchase contract without having to pay any penalty. However, inspections will also point out the areas that might not be quite that serious, but still need to be addressed to make your new home safe for you and your family.

While the idea of a home inspection might seem to associated with older homes, you should also plan to have a thorough inspection of newly built homes before purchase. Even recently completed construction can reveal design and construction defects, which might result in serious damage and pose health risks for years.

Home Inspections for New Home Purchases

The quality of your inspection will depend in large part on the inspector you select.

You’ll undoubtedly find a wide range of levels of experience, skill, and attention to detail in your area’s inspectors so it pays to get recommendations from people who have recently purchased similar types of property in your area. If you can find an inspector who has reviewed homes in your specific neighborhood, so much the better!

Once your inspector concludes the inspection, they’ll prepare a written report outlining the results.

A helpful inspection report should specify whether the issue noted is a safety issue or a major defect, as opposed to a minor one. It should also distinguish between items that need to be replaced versus items that can be safely repaired instead. Ideally, it will also note any items that may be acceptable for the immediate future, but which should be monitored over time.

Plumbing, Leaks, and Mold

A primary area of concern for new home buyers is the potential for home water damage and resulting mold. You might be able to see external water damage fairly easily — water spots on the ceiling, for example, or pooling water near exterior walls or the foundation.

But moisture can also cause damage in places that aren’t so easy to see, such as inside your walls. And if that’s not spotted and properly cleaned up in short order, the result will be dangerous mold. Mold resistant drywall can help reduce this risk but an inspector will be able to spot problems, using tools like infrared cameras when necessary.

Another spot that can signal current or future damage is the gutter and spout system for your home. If these aren’t channeling water freely and smoothly away from your roof, walls, and foundation, the result will be a damaged foundation or leaky roof. Loose or missing roof shingles can mean that water intrusion has occurred underneath.

Finally, the home’s plumbing system should be checked thoroughly for any sign of leaks or water pressure problems. If your home is “of a certain age” and so are the pipes, your inspector might recommend a more detailed review to estimate if replacement needs to take place and how soon. Specific points of investigation include visible lines, faucets, showers/tubs and their drains, and toilets.

Electrical Wiring, Appliances, and Other Fire Risks

Another potential health hazard in a house is the risk of fire from improper wiring, malfunctioning appliances or old panels. Depending on the age of the home and whether the wiring has been upgraded since construction, that could add a significant cost to your overall investment if you move forward with the purchase — but you definitely don’t want to ignore problems in this area.

Other specific area of concerns include checking to make sure the laundry room is well ventilated, since a blocked exhaust on your dryer can present a significant risk of fire.

Your inspector will also inspect an attached garage, if there is one, as well as testing the house’s smoke detectors to make sure they’re functional.

HVAC and Asbestos

Your home inspector should also take a close look at your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The report should note how old the furnace and other HVAC elements are, whether they function properly, and to what extent any repairs or maintenance are needed or warranted.

Your inspector should also take a look at the ductwork and insulation in your home. Looking at these elements can help reveal whether there’s any asbestos that needs to be removed or whether there are any leaks that must be addressed.

What to Do After Your Inspection Report is Delivered

While an inspection might cost you more money, it’s money very well spent. If your report shows serious problems, you can walk away (assuming you have a contingency clause in your contract).

Alternatively, you can get quotes from qualified home contractors to fix the problems.

Whichever option you choose, a good home inspector is a smart investment to make in your future home’s safety!