As homeowners and homebuyers become more educated about home ownership, a common question our home inspectors hear during a home inspection is whether or not there’s microbial growth, or, as most people refer to it, mold, in their homes. If you have concerns about mold in your home or think you need mold testing, the professionals at HomePro Inspections have some information for you to consider.
Should I Get Mold Testing?
As home inspectors, we see a wide variety of mold during our home inspections. Some issues are visually apparent, such as wet basement walls, moisture under kitchen or bathroom cabinets, or an obvious leak. It can also be a smell in a damp basement that alerts the homeowner or home inspector that there may be a mold issue. We’ve also had clients tell us that they have someone in the family who gets stuffed up and has allergic reactions, but only when they’re in the basement.
Wet Areas and Visual Growth
If you have experienced flooding or discovered an area with leaks or water damage, consider mold testing. Consistently wet areas are prone to reasonably quick mold growth, depending on the conditions. Drying areas within 48 hours can reduce the risk and prevent future mold issues. Vacuum up standing water, pull back carpets, and run fans and dehumidifiers to dry the area as quickly as possible.
Managing the source of water intrusion is critical. If you have poor roof water runoff management or drainage issues, it's crucial to have them corrected as soon as possible. On occasion, I’ve found situations where a homeowner is using fans and dehumidifiers in a wet basement to deal with the symptoms instead of addressing the root cause of the problem.
Inadequate Ventilation
There are times when your home inspector points out inadequate ventilation in a basement. This is generally due to a lack of air returns in each room of the basement. It can also occur when the supply vents are closed on purpose because “it gets too cold in the basement when the air conditioning is running.”
Since cold air is denser than warm air, it wants to seek out the lowest area. Lack of ventilation and air exchange can lead to higher than recommended humidity levels. There have been times, when performing a home inspection, when one of our home inspectors has entered a basement where it’s cold, damp, and exudes a musty smell. These conditions immediately alert the home inspector to the potential signs of microbial growth.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that the humidity levels in a home be kept in the 30% to 60% range to prevent possible mold growth.
Health Concerns
Mold in a house may or may not cause health issues for everyone. I once had a home inspector on my team that didn’t need to conduct mold testing if he was doing a home inspection on a home that had mold in it. On one occasion, when I was training him, we entered a home, and within 5 minutes, he had watery, itchy eyes and was sneezing. I asked him if he was okay, and he said mold was probably in the home. Sure enough, we went to the basement, and there were signs of active mold growth on the basement utility room walls. I, on the other hand, did not react to the conditions.
How Much Exposure is Too Much?
Exposure to an elevated level of microbial growth or mold spores affects everyone differently. People with compromised immune systems, the elderly, the very young, and those with allergies can be prone to issues when exposed to mold. Symptoms can include watery eyes, runny nose, itching, difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, headaches, and fatigue. Continued and repeated exposures to poor indoor air quality can develop into more severe reactions over time. Molds such as Aspergillus and Stachybotrys may produce mycotoxins, which can be toxic to some people under certain conditions, resulting in serious illnesses.
Summary
When purchasing a new home, people with potential health issues related to mold exposure should have mold testing conducted as part of their home inspection. If you see the warning signs, have flooding or water intrusion, or detect a damp, musty smell in your basement, there may be microbial growth. You’ll want to test for mold to ensure there are no issues.
Visit our website to learn more or schedule mold testing in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN areas. You can contact us today at (507) 202-8942, by email, or use our online “Schedule Now” feature to schedule an appointment.