When buying a house you should always have a mold inspection prior to closing the deal. Certain types of mold can have negative impacts on your health. And, mold is serious, it can even damage the structures of a home. If you find you’re dealing with a mold property, you may still choose to move forward with the purchase. However, you can adjust your offer accordingly.

Different Types of Mold

 

Before deciding if you should buy a mold-contaminated property, you should probably know a bit about the different kinds of mold. Professionals categorize harmful mold into three categories. These categories are allergenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic. Obviously, allergenic molds can cause allergic reactions. Pathogenic molds can cause health issues through infectious routes. (They are particularly dangerous to those with other chronic illnesses). Toxigenic are toxic molds and can negatively impact health through toxins in the environment.

Alternaria is considered one of the most common forms of allergenic molds. It has a velvet surface and causes symptoms in the upper respiratory system.

Stachybotrys, most commonly known as black mold, is a form of toxigenic mold. You’ve probably heard of this one before. It can cause severe health problems on exposure. This includes a sensation of tightening or burning in your throat, nose bleeds, a persistent cough, chest tightness, and even fever. Make sure to consult a doctor if you have these symptoms. You may also need to test your home.

Be aware, there are many types of mold that appear with a black coloring. So, just because you see mold, there’s no reason to panic. There are many kinds of mold other than the two we listed, and several are harmless. The best way to know what type you’re dealing with is to test. In the meantime, please do contact a doctor if you are concerned (or having any health-related symptoms).

 

Testing Your Home for Mold

 

AEI Decon helps homebuyers by offering mold inspections and proper decontamination. Don’t buy a home without knowing its history and the potential risk. Mold can impact health as well as the value of a home.

If you are buying a rental property, you’ll want to be particularly cautious. This is because you may find yourself responsible for additional expenses. For example, owners may need to fund a tenant’s displacement. And, in some cases, you may be liable for damage to the tenet’s furniture and personal items.

For a list of a landlord’s responsibilities, you can check Utah’s rental and real estate codes. If you’re buying a property, feel free to call us at 801-888-6698. We’ll help with all your mold testing and remediation needs.