No prospective homeowner wants a home with mold in it; however, detecting mold is not an easy task. Read this article and learn about the nature of mold prior to purchasing a home.

Mold is simply a fungus that causes organic matter to decay and it appears in different colors and shapes. It grows best in water-soaked materials but can survive in almost any damp location. Mold can cause health problems like rashes, seizures, unusual bleeding, respiratory problems, and severe fatigue in some people. Here are some common places in a home where mold is likely to take hold:

* around leaking pipes, windows, or roofs
* any place that’s been flooded and hasn’t been thoroughly dried
* tightly sealed buildings, which trap excess moisture inside, and
* in homes with poor ventilation, numerous over-watered houseplants, and housekeeping habits that ignore obvious dampness and don’t include airing the place out.

How to Detect Mold

* Be on the lookout for mold.

Keep your eyes peeled for standing water in the basement, water marks on walls, or musty smells. If you’re looking at a newer home, find out whether it is built with “synthetic stucco,” also called the Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS). This airtight barrier is supposed to improve insulation, but if improperly installed, may allow water penetration and mold growth on the inside of walls.

* Ask your home inspector.

If you have the home professionally inspected before you buy it, your home inspector may see obvious signs of mold or water damage. While it’s not the inspector’s job to look for mold, most home inspectors will mention obvious signs of water damage and the possible presence of mold.

* Ask the seller to disclose any mold or water-related problems.

Some states require sellers to disclose information about mold. Even in states where mold disclosure is not required, you can still ask for such disclosure.

* Listen to agents and appraisers.

In some states, real estate agents or brokers have a duty to disclose problems they know about. Likewise, an appraiser should notify you if he or she sees an obvious sign of a mold problem if it could affect the value of the property.

* Required Seller Disclosures

In some states, sellers must make disclosures about mold growth specifically. A quick visit to your state’s department of real estate should let you know what your state requires.  Again, even if your state doesn’t require the seller to make this disclosure, don’t hesitate to ask for it.

* Professional Mold Testing

Unlike tests for lead paint, tests for mold are difficult to conduct and expensive. However, if you suspect mold is present in the home, but none is visible, you might elect to hire a professional mold testing company. These companies test the air in and around the home. They can also dig into walls and take samples, which they later test in a laboratory. Testing the air usually costs several hundred dollars. If the company takes wall samples, the cost will be even higher.

How to Fix Mold Problems in Two Steps

* First: Removing the Mold

Recent and relatively small mold growths can often be fairly easily removed by scrubbing with detergent and following up with a combination of bleach and water, then allowing the area to dry completely. Be sure to wear protective gear and keep the area well ventilated.

If the problem has been festering for some time, or is inaccessible, you may have to enlist the help of a professional contractor. The contractor may have to do some serious work, such as ripping up carpeting and subfloors or tearing down walls to access the mold.

* Second:  Removing the Cause of Mold Growth

The next step in your mold-riddance campaign is to find out where the moisture came from and stop its intrusion. If you don’t, the mold may simply regrow. Unfortunately, this part of the process can be expensive. Repairing a leaky roof, a basement prone to flooding, or a weak pipe behind a bathroom wall can be more expensive than removing the mold itself.