What Happens If You Find Mold In A House You Just Bought?
Buying a house is quite exciting, but the process is also stressful and full of uncertainty. That’s especially true if you buy a house and notice things aren’t exactly the way they seemed when you walked through it. So, what happens if you find mold in a house you just bought?
If you find mold in a house you just bought, look thoroughly in the house for more. Next, contact your realtor to see if they can make the seller cover mold inspection and remediation costs. If they don’t, you may need to involve a lawyer, as sellers are supposed to disclose problems, and failing to do so is wrong.
Before buying a house, it’s always a good idea to request a mold inspection, even if you must pay for it. That’s because mold exposure can be quite dangerous, can quickly spread and take over a house. Follow along as we explore what happens if you find mold in a house you just bought.
What To Do If You Find Mold In A House You Just Bought
The pain of finding mold in a house you just bought can take away the thrill of the purchase. However, aren’t resigned to handling the problem on your own. Buyers have rights, and you should be able to solve this potentially dangerous situation by following a few steps, starting with:
Inspect Further
If you find some mold in your house, there’s a good chance more of it is lingering around the corner and you may find more mold nearby, as it spreads quickly. Ideally, focus the search on areas where mold commonly grows, like the kitchen and bathrooms. That said, mold can grow anywhere in a house with high humidity, so it’s worth inspecting the whole house. Start with the room where you first found the mold, then slowly work your way through the house. Check cabinets, closets, bedrooms, bathrooms, and the space under your sinks. It’s also worth inspecting the attic and crawlspace, even if they’re relatively dry. Mold can also grow in the HVAC ductwork, but you can’t easily inspect that yourself. However, you may be able to get the seller to cover that cost if you follow the next steps highlighted below.
Contact the Seller
Whether it's directly or through a realtor, you should contact the seller if you find mold in a house you just bought. That’s especially true if you just recently closed the deal and started moving in. There’s very little chance that the mold suddenly appeared the day you moved in.
However, you must manage your expectations and realize that the seller may not receive this information so warmly. The law may be on your side, as sellers are required to disclose household problems, especially when it's potentially dangerous. Contact your realtor, too, as they can tell you how to proceed or may handle the conversation for you.
Negotiate
Even if your realtor handles the discussion, make sure they cover all your concerns. You and your realtor should push for the seller to cover mold remediation costs. However, getting rid of mold in one spot may not solve the problem in your new house. It’s a good idea to have the seller cover mold inspection costs as well.
That’s because there may be mold is growing in other parts of the house you just bought. An inspection can reveal the type of mold in the house and its reach. Between the inspection and remediation costs, the seller may need to spend a few thousand dollars. They may put up a fight, but your realtor and or lawyer should be able to fix the problem. Buyers are protected against dangerous home conditions in real estate.
How To Tell If Your New House Has Mold
Outside of conducting a mold inspection, you can tell if your new house has mold by looking for a few key signs, such as:
- Musty smell. A damp, musty odor can indicate mold and mildew are growing in your house.
- Slimy, fuzzy spots. There are many types of mold, but it typically looks slimy, powdery, or fuzzy. Black mold can be the most devastating, so look out for it.
- Strange illness symptoms. Mold exposure can cause long-term health problems and short-term discomfort. Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and respiratory issues are signs of mold exposure.
- Wet spots. Moisture and mold go hand in hand, and wet spots often accompany mold. You’ll typically find them on parts of the wall or ceiling with pipes behind or above them.
While these are some classic signs of mold in the house, they aren’t the only ones. A mold inspection is the best way to find out.
Should I Do A Mold Inspection Before Buying A House?
It’s a great idea to have a mold inspection before buying a house. While this can add to your expenses, it shouldn’t add a lot to what you’re already paying. Standard home inspections don’t typically include a mold inspection in the way most people think of them. The inspector may visually identify some mold under one of the sinks or on the walls, but they won’t test the air for mold spores or use a moisture meter.
It’s worth scheduling a mold inspection before buying a house, as moving into a moldy home is dangerous. The average cost of a mold inspection is $350, but it varies based on many factors, such as home size and can cost up to $1,000 in a large house. Of course, you should push the buyer to cover mold remediation costs if mold is found.
Who Is Responsible For Mold In A New House?
The builder is typically responsible if you find mold in a new house that has just been built. Builders usually offer warranties that cover the effects of construction defects and hazards. This covers structural and cosmetic problems, but mold is often included within a specific time window. Mold can grow in a house during construction due to many reasons, as they are often left open and exposed to the elements for a long time before they take shape.
Throughout construction, parts of your future home are vulnerable to moisture, which can linger for a while. This can create the perfect conditions for mold to grow long before you move into your dream home. However, mold can also grow due to serious construction problems, like poor plumbing installation and faulty ventilation. It’s important to hold your builder responsible for such problems, as fixing them early can prevent expensive headaches later on.
Summing It Up
Contact your realtor right away if you find mold in the house you just bought. You, your realtor, and your lawyer, if neccessary, should be able to get the seller to pay for the cost of mold removal. That said, it’s worth pushing the seller to pay for a mold inspection as well. This way, you can see how widespread the problem is before treating your house for mold.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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