Don’t Buy a Florida Home without a Mold Inspection

In Florida's hot and humid climate, mold can be found almost anywhere, from multimillion-dollar beachfront condominiums to family neighborhoods and bargain-priced foreclosures.  That means a thorough mold inspection can be an important component of a real estate transaction for both buyers and sellers.

Mold can also be a serious problem in a foreclosure or other distressed sale when the owner has no money to run the AC system.

No one wants a home sale to be derailed by an unexpected mold problem.  A mold inspection can determine whether or not corrective action is necessary, providing peace of mind to the buyer and seller.

Serious outbreaks of mold are almost always linked to some type of water problem, such as a hole in the roof, a broken water pipe, a crack in an outside wall or a blockage in an air conditioning drain line.

Mold can also flourish in a vacant home when the air-conditioning is turned off for months at a time.  Mold can also be a serious problem in a foreclosure or other distressed sale when the owner has no money to run the AC system.

A mold inspection usually begins with a visual assessment of the home's interior, exterior and AC system for signs of mold and water damage. Then, wallboard, flooring, ceiling panels or other interior materials are checked to see if they contain excessive moisture.

In addition to detailing mold conditions inside a home, an inspection report will usually include recommendations for correcting the problem.  A seller should carefully follow these recommendations and document every step of the process.

Fortunately, many mold conditions can be treated easily and inexpensively. Ordinary household cleaners can be very effective against mold on hard surfaces, such as tile, stone or wood.  However, carpeting, drywall or other types of interior materials may need to be removed from the home.

A seller should also correct the conditions that led to the mold problem.  That could be as simple as fixing a plumbing fixture or as complex as tearing out several interior walls or repairing the roof.   After the repairs are done, a follow-up clearance or post remediation inspection will assure the buyer of the success of the remediation.

What does a Mold Report Include and What makes for a Great Mold Report?
Click to see a Microshield Mold Report Outline.