3 Reasons To Test For Mold When Buying A New Home

Posted on: 26 March 2021

Investing in a new home is a major financial responsibility. In order to ensure that your investment is a good one, you probably plan to invest in a home inspection and title search to check the integrity of the property. Another important test to consider when buying a new home is a mold test. Identifying the presence of mold will help you make a more informed purchasing decision in the future.

1. Prevent Health Issues

Your new home should be a safe and welcoming place. The presence of mold can turn any home into a serious health hazard. Exposure to certain types of mold can cause serious respiratory problems.

Coughing, throat irritation, headaches, and nausea are all conditions that can develop as a result of exposure to toxic mold. If anyone in your family already has a respiratory condition (like allergies or asthma), exposure to mold can exacerbate the symptoms of these conditions. A mold test before you buy will let you rest assured knowing your new home isn't a health hazard.

2. Avoid Major Repairs

The purchase of a new home is a major financial undertaking. The last thing you want to do is shell out even more money to make major structural repairs after the purchase of your property is complete.

Mold growth has the potential to put the structural integrity of a property at risk. Wood that has been affected by mold can become extremely brittle and susceptible to cracking. Since the wood frame of a home provides the majority of the structural support for the building, moldy wood can render a home very unstable.

Testing for mold before you make a purchase lets you determine if any major structural repairs will be needed to preserve the integrity of the home.

3. Preserve Insurance Coverage

It can be extremely difficult to insure a home that has mold. Most of the underlying causes of mold are not covered within a typical homeowners insurance policy. This means that if you uncover mold after the purchase of your home is complete, you can't count on the insurance company to pay for repairs.

Mold that has done extensive damage could void the insurance coverage on items in your home that would otherwise be covered.

Don't compromise your homeowners insurance coverage. Invest in a mold test before you buy a home so that you know your policy will offer maximum protection over time. Reach out to a professional who provides mold testing services to learn more.

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