Are you planning to buy a home in Florida? If so, mold is something you should consider.

Mold is a serious issue, and you don’t want to buy a home that has extensive mold growth. Having mold around your home exposes you to an increased risk of health problems.

While some buyers ignore mold issues and proceed with the transaction, it’s worthwhile to remain cautious, advises The Listing REM. There could be hidden mold colonies that silently expand, resulting in long-term health risks and mold remediation expenses.

In this article, we are going over the key points regarding mold inspections and disclosures in Florida. You’ll learn about the importance of inspecting for mold and what you can do to cut your risks as a homebuyer.

Why You Need a Mold Inspection

As a homebuyer in Florida, you should be aware of any mold problems in a prospective home. This is because any amount of mold growth in a home could cause considerable issues in the long run.

Some people believe that a home inspection is enough to discover mold trouble, but that is not true. In most cases, home inspections don’t focus on uncovering hidden mold. Instead, they focus on the foundation, HVAC system, electricity, and other essentials in the property.

That’s why a mold inspection is so important because it focuses solely on finding mold growth in your potential home. Mold inspectors are equipped with the right tools and have the proper knowledge to discover mold in areas hidden from plain sight. The inspector will check wall cavities, rugs, attics, and hidden spaces to ensure there is no mold growth.

What About Mold Disclosures in Florida?

Home sellers in Florida have to disclose facts and conditions that affect the value of their property. However, they don’t have to hire inspectors to uncover hidden problems.

When you keep that in mind, getting a mold inspection for a prospective home you love makes a lot of sense. Mold growth is common in Florida homes, which means that your seller may be unaware of hidden mold.

What is Mold, and Why Does It Matter When Buying a Home?

Mold is a living fungus. It belongs to the same group as yeasts and mushrooms. These organisms are all in the same group because they have thread-like inner structures. Mold spores are all around. They begin to colonize in the right conditions, such as moisture. That’s why mold is often found in bathrooms.

As a buyer, you need to be aware of mold for two major reasons:

• Mold can cause both mild and serious health issues.
• Mold growth may damage the underlying surfaces and materials.

How Does Mold Impact One’s Health?

Most people are especially concerned about the health effects of mold in their homes, and for good reason. You should be particularly wary of mold if you or anyone in your family has chronic immunodeficiency, allergies, or asthma.

These are the most common symptoms brought on by mold exposure include:

• Irritated throat
• Stuffy or blocked nose
• Excess tiredness
• Tight feeling in the chest
• Wheezing and coughing
• Unexplainable headaches

Why You Should Hire a Licensed Mold Assessor

Some home sellers try to hide mold in order to cut costs. For instance, they may paint over the mold or use other tactics to hide the problem areas.

However, none of these actions will eradicate the underlying problem. The root cause is still there. Eventually, the mold growth will return because the moisture issue hasn’t been dealt with.

This is the reason you need a qualified mold inspector. When you work with a licensed mold assessor, this professional can spot the warning signs of dishonest methods. Plus, they can use professional equipment that shows if there is an excess number of mold spores in the air.

In a nutshell: Mold Inspections and Disclosures

As a homebuyer in Florida, you need to be aware of hidden mold issues. Although sellers have to disclose all the problems and defects, they aren’t required to get inspections done for uncovering hidden issues.

Hiring professional mold remediation services is your only way of making sure that your potential home is free of fungal contaminants. Qualified mold assessors will have the right tools, knowledge, and experience to discover mold growth.