A home is a safe space and a place of rest. Undetected mold threatens that peace and safety, silently destroying your home and health. Mold does not always show up in places you can see. In many cases, it grows in hard-to-reach places like behind your sink and between your walls. A mold inspection is the only way to be certain that there is no mold in your home.
This article explores the benefits of a mold inspection and the best time to get one. More importantly, we spotlight the average costs of scheduling a mold home inspection.
What is a Mold Inspection?
A mold inspection involves a thorough assessment of your home by a professional to determine mold growth. This assessment also helps determine the spread of mold. This is because mold spreads through microscopic particles called spores. These spores start growing when they land on damp or moist surfaces. Therefore, it is easy for mold to thrive in places such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
While an inspection uncovers the mold, mold testing is what determines the kind of mold it is. Furthermore, mold remediation is what treats the mold, especially in cases where it has spread to multiple areas of the home.
What Happens During a Mold Inspection?
The professional will first perform a visual assessment of your home. They will be looking out for tell-tale signs of mold such as discoloration, warped beams, and certain odors. This assessment will include both the interior and exterior of your home with a focus on mold-prone spots like basements.
They may need to open up certain parts of your drywall or flooring for efficient mold inspection. Doing so helps them uncover any hidden damage. Sometimes, visual inspections do not uncover mold. Therefore, the professional will use thermal imaging and moisture meters to determine damp and humid areas. Mold thrives in damp areas; thus, using those equipment makes the inspection more accurate.
Furthermore, they may collect samples as they go either from the air or directly from the mold’s surface. After the inspection, they will create a report documenting their findings and recommendations. They may also help you with mold testing and remediation efforts.
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Mold Home Inspection?
You should get a mold inspection for your home for the following reasons:
Early Mold Detection and Prevention
Sometimes, mold starts growing in areas you can’t easily access. For instance, a plumbing issue can cause water to seep into your walls. Mold can then grow within your walls and internally damage them. A mold inspection can help detect mold early. This helps you treat the mold when it is still contained and before it spreads to multiple parts of your home.
Additionally, a mold inspection may uncover signs of water damage. Quick and early treatment of water damage can prevent mold growth as mold can grow in under 24 hours.
Protection of Health
Several mold strains are damaging to human health. When inhaled, these mold spores can compromise your lungs and airway. For example, black mold can trigger and worsen asthma symptoms, leading to wheezing and coughing. The longer you live with the mold, the worse your health becomes. Therefore, it is best to discover and treat mold early.
Furthermore, having a professional mold inspector assess your home reduces additional exposure to mold. Many homeowners don’t know how to safely handle and remove mold. Therefore, it is best to hire a professional to carry out the mold inspection to protect your health.
Cost Saving
Mold is not a problem that easily disappears if you don’t have the right knowledge. Without a professional mold inspection, you may overlook other mold-affected areas. This can cause costly repairs in the long run as the mold causes the area to rot. For instance, there may be mold beneath your floorboard that causes them to soften. Damaged floorboards will eventually fall through, leading to expensive repairs. Thus, a mold home inspection is a long-term cost-saving investment.
Protection of Personal Property
The structure of your home is not the only thing that mold can destroy. It can also destroy your personal property such as clothing, furniture, and jewelry. This is so even if the mold starts in an area that does not contain any personal property. Mold spores can spread throughout your home and land on your personal property, damaging them.
Better Air Quality
A mold infestation can severely deteriorate your home’s air quality. An air purifier can provide temporary relief but is not a permanent solution to the issue. It is best to schedule a professional mold home inspection to determine the sources of mold. You may then opt for mold testing to determine the mold strain and the best way to treat it.
When is the Right Time to Schedule a Mold Inspection?
You may schedule a mold inspection at any time to keep your home safe and habitable. However, there are times when you must get an inspection:
After Water Intrusion
Sometimes, plumbing issues cause water to infiltrate areas of your home such as your ceiling. Additionally, extreme weather conditions like floods and storms can lead to water intrusion in your home. After dealing with any water intrusion issue, you should schedule a mold inspection. You should do this even after the home has been dried out to be truly certain mold hasn’t started growing.
Before Purchasing a Home
Yes, the seller is mandated to inform you when there is mold in the home. However, not all mold growth or water damage is visible. Therefore, there may be hidden mold that both you and the seller are unaware of. It is best to pay for a professional mold inspection before paying for the home.
After Visible Mold
If you notice powdery spots growing on your walls, floors, or even clothes, it is time for a mold inspection. Mold is often a green, black, or off-white color. Additionally, if you notice musty odors in your home or warped walls and floors, you may have mold.
Just because it appears in one area doesn’t mean it is restricted to that area. It may have spread from a different location in your home. A professional inspection can help determine how far it has spread.
Before Living In a Vacant Property
If a property has been left vacant for months, it may get humid and this helps mold thrive. Before living in it, it is best to examine the home for mold growth. This protects your health and your belongings.
Who Pays for a Mold Inspection During a Home Purchase?
The buyer typically pays for a home inspection before purchasing the home. This is because any reasonable buyer would do some due diligence before signing a contract. Additionally, sellers are not legally required to pay for one. Nonetheless, a seller who doesn’t want the deal to fall through may pay for a mold inspection.
When mold is discovered on the property, it is the seller’s duty to pay for mold remediation. In some cases, the seller may reduce the property’s cost to accommodate the inconvenience of paying for remediation. Before accepting the reduced price, get some quotes for mold remediation to determine if the trade-off is worth it.
Regular home inspections may not uncover hidden mold. They may uncover water damage or leaks but won’t discover mold between floorboards, for example. Therefore, it is best to schedule a mold home inspection in addition to a general home inspection. This helps you cover all bases and avoid getting stuck paying for unexpected mold remediation.
How Much Does Mold Inspection Cost?
A mold home inspection can cost as little as $300 and as much as $1,000. Several factors can affect the price of a mold inspection. Your home’s location, size, and accessibility affect the overall cost of the inspection. Furthermore, some types of mold testing are more expensive than others. Lastly, the extent of the mold spread may affect the total cost of the inspection.
Who Can Perform a Mold Inspection?
You can reach out to either a mold inspector or a professional damage restoration company for a mold inspection. If you are dealing with water damage and suspect a mold issue, it is best to opt for a restoration company. This is because the restoration company can fix the water damage, perform the mold inspection, and restore your home. A mold inspector cannot perform damage restoration, only the inspection.
Conclusion
A mold inspection ensures your home’s safety. It can help you detect mold issues on time which leads to lower remediation costs. Additionally, it improves your home’s air quality which in turn improves your health. It is better to pay for the mold inspection than to leave the issue to fester until it destroys your property.
You should schedule a mold inspection after you have any water intrusion issues and before you pay for a home. Additionally, if you notice musty odors and odd powdery stains, reach out to a professional to assess your home. Once the mold is discovered, do not try to treat it yourself. This can be disastrous to your health and also cost you a fortune later. Instead, leave it to the professionals.
On-Call Restoration is a team of water damage experts who can uncover all forms of hidden damage including mold. Our lines are available 24/7. Send us a message today to get started.
