Mold Attacks Real Estate

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Mold Attacks Real Estate

By On-Site Mold Analysis Inc.

http://lauderdalerealestateblog.com/moldanalysis/

Most of us would laugh at the idea of mold entering into a real

estate transaction. I mean, who ever heard of a home not selling

because of mold or a " mold contingency? " A few years ago, no one

ever heard of such a thing. But today mold is getting more media

attention, and homes on the market need to have a mold inspection.

And here's why.

Mold litigation is on the rise. More and more attorneys are handling

cases relating to mold exposure. In these cases some pretty hefty

judgments and settlements have been awarded.

Realtors need to inform their sellers that, legally, they need to

disclose any mold problems. This is especially true if that

homeowner knows there is a mold problem that may not be apparent

from a basic home inspection.

Although mold exists everywhere, it prefers dark, moist places, such

as inside your wall cavities. A roof that has slowly leaked for a

long time creates moisture and encourages mold growth. By the time

you see mold growing on the outside of the wall it's usually pretty

thick on the inside. When you combine an elevated mold condition,

with a particularly sensitive person and you may have a lawsuit.

Mold has a necessary place in our environment. Without it we would

be overrun with debris, such as fallen leaves. However, there are

some times that mold can be a problem for us. This includes when

mold invades our indoor environment (homes, schools, or workplaces).

When mold enters these environments we can suffer from adverse

physical symptoms ranging from respiratory problems (sneezing, runny

nose, or asthma) to headaches and memory loss.

According to research, approximately 10% of the population is

severely allergic to mold. Children under the age of 5, the elderly,

and those with compromised immune systems, such as chemotherapy

patients, can be severely and even fatally affected. Susceptibility

varies with the quantity of mold present and length of exposure.

The media likes to blame " toxic mold, " also known as " black mold, "

for mold-related illnesses. Just as I, a scientist, would not

report on a high speed chase, it befuddles me as to why a reporter

would claim expertise in an area unrelated to his/her training.

Stachybotrys chartarum is the mold they are claiming to be

the " killer mold " . This particular mold, although possessing many

mycotoxins (a chemical released by the mold that has the potential

to cause illness in humans and/or animals), is no more toxic than,

let's say, Aspergillus niger or Trichophyton rubrum, which can also

be found in homes.

Please tell us of your experiences. We'd love to hear from you.