How to Remove Mold from a House You’d Love to Buy

Thinking of buying a new home? Maybe you’ve found a beautiful one that’s perfect except there are a few problems. If you have to remove mold from a house before you will be comfortable living in it, caveat emptor.

Mold may not be ‘the next asbestos,’ but it can cause more problems than you might realize.

You can’t always see them until later.  Then it may not be possible to repair problems it’s caused.

Nobody wants to lose a house that’s just right for their family. That can mean trouble in a seller’s market. Allow us to share a few tips.

The Twin Cities housing market is the best it’s been in a while. Homes are going for full-price.

Emotions can run high when you’re concerned about potential loss.  Heck, even an eBay auction for a small item you really want can spike adrenaline. New buyers materialize out of nowhere in the last seconds.

There’s much more at risk if you go into fear over missing a house you’d love to own. All of us have a tendency to pull out the rose-colored glasses or go, “La, la, la,” when we want something. The temptation is real.

Pause and think for a moment about how much there is to know about how to remove mold from a house, thoroughly and effectively, before putting money down and signing on the dotted line.

You may believe that you can get by with a home inspection and a mold inspection, too. That’s a wise first thought.

What do you really know about how to hire experts in this area, though?

Consider the following:

• How long has the house you love been on the market? If it’s been on there more than the average turnaround time, there’s a reason. If it’s because it needs some work, look closer. What type of work is needed and how much?
• Can you see the mold or only smell it? If you can’t see it, it’s probably hiding somewhere. Exactly where the mold is hiding and what type of mold it is can mean the difference between a $500 water damage repair and one in the untold thousands of dollars. In some cases, it’s not possible to remove mold from a house.  Is it just one patch hiding in a corner of the basement, or is it in the walls? Is it possibly affecting not just drywall but insulation and even wiring and cabinets and joists? You need to know exactly what you’re dealing with because mold has the capability of making a house uninhabitable.
• How did you learn that you’d need to remove mold from the house? Did you you have an immediate reaction to it such as watery eyes, tight chest or some other sensation? Did you bring this up to the realtor you’re working with? Did she bring it up to the homeowner? What was the response?
• Did you know that both mildew and mold develop within 24-48 hours of water damage?  Some people have become sensitized to it. That means that they don’t easily recover from symptoms and that smaller amounts of the things that caused a reaction make them feel worse faster. Are you or your children among them?
• It’s essential to understand is that mildew and mold will continue growing until the source of both the moisture and the mold is addressed. While you may be able to handle some of these cleanup jobs yourself, some you should not. Sometimes it’s not in your best interest to remove mold from a house. Instead, you should seek professional mold remediation experts. Consider asthma and allergies, mold sensitization in family members, and type of mold.
• Did your home inspector take his studies seriously? How long has he been in business? How did he earn his certification? Is he licensed? What types of reviews does he have? How many houses has he inspected? Same with the mold inspector – and just about anyone else who works on your home.
• If mold is located in the basement, you may also want to have the foundation inspected. There you need another seasoned professional. These costs can add up. You may find that you cannot remove mold from a house after all.

We hope you’ve found this article helpful. If you are looking for a referral to a talented home inspector, mold inspector, indoor air quality inspector or foundations expert, call us, 612-789-9600. We have a large Rolodex filled with vendors we trust and have vetted out well.

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