Mold can be a serious issue that may reduce a home’s value when it comes time to sell. Occupants may be unknowingly living with mold and the unhealthy environment it creates. What should homeowners know about mold and how to spot it? Addressing initial signs of mold can help homeowners maintain home value and health. For those in need of mold remediation in Chicago, it’s important to seek professional services to ensure the issue is fully addressed. Learn more about mold remediation in the Chicago area and why it is necessary to take care of it before selling a home.
Signs of Mold
It can be far too easy to ignore initial signs of mold. Mold may be challenging to find. Mold can grow inside walls, around leaky pipes, and between tiles in the bathroom. Rooms with a high-moisture content offer a perfect environment for mold growth. A musty smell in a room or space is one of the first signs that mold is growing, even before it can be seen. In addition, condensation may be a sign as it shows homeowners that there is a potential moisture issue. Homeowners may find droplets on windows and metal pipes. Items that need repairs may also allow mold to form. Homeowners may want to address water damage, leaking roofs, pipes, or taps. Wall cracks may also permit additional moisture to enter a wall space or a home.
There may be hidden signs of mold growth, as even non-toxic forms may lead to flare-ups of symptoms from certain health conditions. Mold in a home may aggravate allergy symptoms and lead to respiratory problems. Individuals without a history of symptoms who begin to develop them may want to look into having a mold test performed on their home. When individuals have been exposed to mold over a long time, they may experience symptoms such as nausea, constant fatigue, or develop chronic bronchitis or a neurological disorder. Addressing a mold problem through mold remediation in Chicago can help protect the health of occupants before they consider selling a home.
Reducing moisture and making necessary repairs can help homeowners address mold problems and prevent them from reoccurring. Mold remediation without attending to a leaking roof or other primary source of the problem will allow an environment that encourages mold growth to continue to do so. Homeowners living in areas with high humidity may want to run their dehumidifier or use their air conditioner. Keeping humidity lower than 60 percent with such devices can help homeowners avoid mold problems.
Why Address Mold Problems Before Listing
Avoid passing along a known mold problem to potential buyers. A home inspection is generally performed before a buyer decides to purchase a home. Current homeowners can pay for mold remediation before listing or deal with it after it is found that a house contains mold. Currently, current owners may need to quickly and professionally take care of the problem or agree to a lowered offer. It is essential that owners that have professional mold remediation performed keep all documents to show to potential buyers if needed. Any mold issue should be known and addressed at the outset, as some buyers may walk away from a home if it shows signs of harmful mold. A mold problem can make it harder to sell a home and requires more time and energy from a seller looking for a buyer willing to address the issue.
Handling Mold Growth
Homeowners may first need to address moisture problems, as mold often grows in damp basements, crawlspaces, and bathrooms. Be on the lookout for black mold formation near pipes. Remember that mold spores can spread throughout a home when homeowners use their HVAC system. It is essential to take precautions when addressing mold growth. Allergy and symptoms of health conditions may be exacerbated by mold in a home. It is helpful for homeowners to work with a licensed specialist in mold abatement in Chicago to take the steps necessary to remove existing mold and prevent it from reoccurring.