What to do When you Find Mold in one of your Homes

Written by Posted On Monday, 20 November 2017 17:41

 

Mold is a disaster for any homeowner and if you’re looking to flip or otherwise profit from a house, then it can be a profit-destroying nightmare. As a result, it’s not uncommon for homeowners, letters and sellers to try and disguise this problem, covering it up and hoping that they can complete the sale or the lease without it becoming a problem.

But this is a dangerous option to take and could come back and bite you. Mold that has been left unchecked will damage the property. It doesn’t matter how bad it is now, it’s there for a reason and if that reason is not resolved then it will worsen and the mold will take over. Luckily, getting rid of this issue doesn’t have to cost the earth.

1. Knowledge is Power

There are times when you will want to hire the experts in and times when you can simply fix the problem yourself. It will depend on the type of mold, as well as the extent of the problem and the reason it has become a problem.

Before you start to address the issue, you need to know just what it is. So, do your research, learn a little and see if it’s something that you can fix with a quick, easy and cheap solution, or something that requires an expert and a significant chunk of your budget.

There are many sites out there that can help you with this, just make sure you don’t get your info from a site that also offers a mold removal service, as they are a little biased and will always look to direct you to the most expensive option. The Center for Disease Control has a good guide on this, and there are also forums where experts and amateurs alike discuss their experiences and give advice.

2. Act Quickly

Some common types of mold, such as black mold, can be very dangerous if left untreated. As above, you can remove black mold yourself  using information found online, but if the issue has become quite serious then you will need to get someone in to look at it and fix it. Not only will it ensure the problem has been dealt with in the best possible way, but it will also help you to avoid any potential legal issues. If you try to deal with it yourself, don’t do a good job and then a tenant or buyer suffers, then you could be on the wrong end of a lawsuit. If, however, you were seen to take action by hiring experts as soon as possible, nothing more can be expected of you.

3. Look for the Root of the Problem

Black mold is typically the result of water damage in the home, whether through a serious condensation issue or because of a leaky roof or a damaged pipe. As a result, the mold may be the least of your issues and these could increase if it is not addressed.

It is not the job of the mold removal company to fix your broken roof or burst piping. They will find the source of the problem, but from there it’s on you and this is where things could start getting expensive. If this is the issue, you may want to save any mold removal until after you have fixed the root of the problem.

4. Buy Cheap, Lose Out

There are cheap services out there that promise to get rid of mold and not charge you the earth. But these don’t always have the experience and could end up costing you much more than an expert company would. These companies will typically offer a range of services, the archetypical Jack of all Trades and Master of None. Do your research and make sure you are dealing with a reputable company who will actually do what they promise to do.

5. Offer Alternative Accommodation

Finally, if the mold has taken over the home and become a serious problem, then you should either look to get out of there until it is fixed or, if you rent, offer your tenants alternative accommodation. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it will also cover you in the event of a lawsuit being filed and should stop such a thing from even happening in the first place.

Mold can be very dangerous, especially in growing children, so it’s always advisable to get them out before any damage can be done.

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Agent Resource

Limited time offer - 50% off - click here

Realty Times

From buying and selling advice for consumers to money-making tips for Agents, our content, updated daily, has made Realty Times® a must-read, and see, for anyone involved in Real Estate.