It’s a widespread problem: you move into a new or older home, and then “BAM,” you get sick. It can be hard to pinpoint the cause, but several things could be causing your symptoms. Some of the most common problems areas are –
Basement
Roof
Bathroom walls
Buyer Beware
Let’s backtrack for a moment; first, you need to understand when you’re in the buying phase. Make sure that you have not only hired a building inspector, but you need a mold inspector too. This is so important for your health and the health of your family. Get the right answer before buying. It’s better to walk away from an inspection and lose a few hundred on an inspection than to buy the home only to spend thousands of dollars on repairs, and still, you might not be able to rid of all the problems.
We’re not just talking about allergies, either. This is a biotoxin disorder that is very difficult to get under control caused by your home’s environment. The good news is there are ways to fix most of these issues! Your inspector is a detective and should be able to find the cause of your home’s illness. Depending on the size of the house or condo, it could take several hours, but well with the wait. Your realtor or their Board office should have a list of vendors that can help you with finding the right inspector.
You may be surprised to learn that it takes a bit of mold to cause a big problem.
Mold is a fungus that grows in damp places, such as your basement or bathroom. It can grow anywhere, but it grows best in warm and humid environments like basements and bathrooms – especially if they’re not well-ventilated.
Mold spores are everywhere, but they don’t always cause problems: If you have allergies, you’ll know when you’re exposed because you’ll start sneezing and coughing. You might have a constant migraine or your ears ringing; others might feel tired or low energy. Sometimes you can smell an unpleasant odor coming from the house or apartment (like a musty carpet smell). Sometimes there is no smell whatsoever. It can be very tricky.
Mold produces toxins that cause allergic reactions and lung problems
Mold spores are tiny and airborne, so they can quickly get into your home’s air when you don’t even realize it. If mold grows in your home, the spores will also be present.
Mold produces toxins that cause allergic reactions and lung problems. The most common symptoms caused by mold include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
- Chest tightness or pain
- Shortness of breath
- Migraines
- Ear ringing
- Vertigo
- Aches and pains
- Stomach aches
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Itching nose or eyes
- Red, watery eyes
- Blurred vision
- Brain fog
- Cyst-like bumps on your scalp.
The best way to stay healthy is to avoid mold. “Easier said!”
Mold can grow anywhere in your house: on walls, floors, ceilings; behind furniture; even inside electrical outlets and light switches. And since molds release millions of spores into the air every day (even if they are not visible), these microscopic particles are everywhere–even outdoors!
But it does mean that if you have been suffering from symptoms like headaches or fatigue for an extended period after moving into a new home or apartment building where people around you have been experiencing similar issues, then there may be a possibility that some type(s) of mold might be growing somewhere inside those buildings which could contribute towards causing those symptoms in some way shape form.
The best way to prevent mold growth is to fix leaks and prevent moisture from getting in your home in the first place
The best way to prevent mold growth is to fix leaks and prevent moisture from getting in your home in the first place. If you have a leaky roof, a bathroom or kitchen drain that’s not working correctly, or any other source of water damage in your house, fix it as soon as possible.
Regarding keeping humidity levels low, keep windows closed during humid days (when it’s raining outside). And if you’re living where there are high humidity levels year-round, and if you don’t have central AC –you can buy an inexpensive hygrometer and keep track of how much moisture there is inside your home at different times of the day so that you know when things might get dangerous.
Some states require home sellers to tell buyers if there’s any presence of mold in the home
If you’re buying a home and have concerns about mold, certain states require sellers to inform buyers of its presence. In California and Texas, for example, sellers must disclose any information that could impact the value of a property–including health hazards like mold.
In other states (like Florida), however, disclosure laws aren’t as strict: The state’s real estate association recommends that agents ask clients about allergies before showing them homes with potential allergens if they find out during those conversations that there’s an allergy issue at play in their client’s life right now–or if the client has experienced an allergic reaction in previous homes–it might be worth bringing up any known allergens during negotiations for repairs later on down the road.
If you’re buying a house, ask your realtor to get the answers you need
If you’re buying a house, most states require property disclosures. Most disclosures do not reveal mold. It would be best if you asked your agent to find out whether the seller has ever had problems with mold before. If they say yes, ask them to be specific about it. Sellers, make sure that a professional inspects the property before being put up for sale; if not, you will get a surprise, and it will cost you, in the end, either way. It’s worth hiring an inspector prior to placing your property on the market, so there are no surprises.
Buyers – You may want to ask about recently resurfaced water damage. It’s possible that some structural changes were made without proper ventilation being installed afterward; this would cause moisture buildup within walls, leading to mold and other types of diseases like bacteria or viruses.”
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of the dangers of mold and how to avoid it. The best way to protect yourself from decay is by fixing leaks and preventing moisture from getting into your home in the first place. If you find that your house has a problem with mold, don’t hesitate to call an expert who can help get rid of it so that everyone living there stays healthy!