The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina brought mold to the forefront of media depictions of the interior of devastated homes covered from floor to ceiling with mold. Depending on where you live in the United States, mold will have varying degrees of impact if you are buying or selling a home. Add mold to your list of potential hazards in a home you’re considering purchasing or selling, but don’t overlook asbestos, lead, and radon as other hazards in your quest to determine if mold poses a problem.
Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home offers tips on what buyers and sellers should know about mold in residential properties.
-Health problems from indoor mold produce allergens. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms such as red eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and skin rashes. Some molds can also irritate the eyes, lungs, nose, skin, and throats of both allergic and usually non-allergic people.
-Mold spores can be spread by heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems (HVAC). Do not run your HVAC system if you suspect that mold spores have entered it or mold is growing on intake or outtake vents.
-Mold created by sewage requires professional attention. If raw sewage was in the water that created mold in a dwelling you should contact a professional who specializes in sewage-based mold clean-up.
-What to wear when cleaning up mold. You should wear an N-95 respirator available Doorstep reality online or at home centers. Wear long disposable gloves that can hold up when using chemicals like chlorine bleach. Wear goggles to protect your eyes from both chemical irritants and mold spores, and select styles without ventilation holes.
-How to prevent mold occurrences. Keep air-conditioning and refrigerator drip pans clear of standing water or condensation. Monitor water lines in furnace humidifiers and refrigerators. Vent appliances and exhaust fans that produce moisture to the outside. Do not vent bathroom fans to the attic or crawl spaces. Open windows in non-vented rooms that have excessive moisture build-up, even in winter months. Check water supplies for leaks to sinks and toilets and any other appliances that use water, including the water heater. Insulate pipes to reduce condensation. Clean and dry bathtubs and areas with poor air circulation, wear condensation, or water accumulation.
-Don’t overlook hidden mold sources. After removing known mold sources in kitchens and bathrooms, mold can hide behind paneling and wallpaper, ceiling tiles, and in and under carpeting. Mold is commonly found on the rear of drywall even after the room side has been cleaned properly. Plan on discarding drywall, carpeting, and ceiling tiles that have had visible mold
