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Mold Inspection

Is There Mold In the Home I’m Buying?

Understanding the basic concept behind mold growth and mold-related issues can help you determine if the home you are interested in buying may have a problem. If there’s one thing you should take away from this blog, it’s that mold needs moisture to grow. 

When your home is inspected by a qualified professional, they can look for hidden moisture issues like roof leaks, plumbing leaks, moist basements, and wet crawl spaces. Even though home inspectors aren’t typically specialized in mold testing and identification, they can point out excessive moisture issues that might harbor mold growth.

When Should I Hire a Certified Mold Inspector?

Though mold inspections are not required when buying a new home, there are a few circumstances where we would recommend it.

You should get a mold inspection if:

  • You have unexplained allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing, irritated eyes, etc.
  • Moisture issues were found in the home
  • You want peace of mind knowing that your new home is safe

What Are the Stages of a Mold Inspection?

A typical mold inspection follows these basic steps: consultation, visual inspection of the home, identification of water and moisture issues, mold testing, resolution planning, and remediation. Depending on what’s uncovered during the early phases of your mold inspection, you may not need to go through the entire process. The approach will depend on the amount of moisture detected, if mold was present in the home and the amount of damage caused by moisture issues.   

Mold Inspection vs. Mold Testing

Mold inspection and mold testing sound like the same thing, right? Not exactly, but they usually go hand-in-hand. Mold inspection is a process in which the qualified inspector asks the homeowner a series of questions to gauge what’s happening in the house. Then, they’ll begin the visual inspection around the home, looking for signs of mold, water leaks, etc. If the inspector feels it’s necessary, they may also collect air and mold samples for testing. When collecting samples, in some cases, the inspector may need to drill holes in your walls (not ideal, but 100% worth it). 

Once the testing samples are collected and culture results populate, the mold inspector can uncover what you’re dealing with. If mold was detected, the inspector will then develop a plan with the homeowner to fix any moisture issues, repair damaged materials, and treat the mold with a fungicide (if needed). There are DIY mold testing kits out there, but if you aren’t educated on proper mold inspection, cause, and treatment, it’s best to consult a professional. 

The Importance of Air Quality and Proper Ventilation

There are some dangerous mold types that can cause serious health issues, but thankfully, those cases are uncommon. One of the best ways to prevent mold growth inside your home is to control the indoor air quality. As mentioned earlier, mold needs moisture to grow, so controlling moisture levels will go a long way toward controlling mold growth. 

To prevent mold growth in your home and improve its overall air quality, we recommend following these guidelines: 

  • Maintain your indoor humidity levels at around 30%-60%
  • Change the air filters in your home as directed by the manufacturer 
  • Utilize a whole-house ventilation system or fan 
  • Open your windows for fresh air as often as possible 

Looking for a Certified Mold Inspector?

For more information on health safety and mold growth in the home, click here for additional resources from the Washington State Department of Health. If you’re located in the Issaquah, Seattle, or the Puget Sound region and looking for a credible mold inspector, contact Zoom Home Inspections for a referral at (425) 301-2747 or info@zoomhi.com. 

Interested in booking a quick and complete home inspection? Click below to view Zoom’s home inspection services for both buyers and sellers.

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