Are you planning to sell your home? With the interest rates being at their highest in a while, this year’s Spring Rush is about to be the busiest and most challenging yet. Thus, it’s more important than ever to do your due diligence and make sure your home is in pristine condition before listing.
One of the boxes you absolutely have to check is a thorough mold inspection. Here are all the places to check and signs to look for.
1. Inspect Under Your Sinks
Seeing that mold thrives in damp spaces, your kitchen and bathroom sinks are your number-one spots to check. Pay special attention to the space under the sinks, as they are perfect breeding grounds for mold. This area should be perfectly dry. Also, look at the outside of the cabinet for any signs of a water leak that could have penetrated through the side.
2. Check Attic Trusses and Roof Sheathing
Attics are some of the most common mold hideouts in every home. So, make sure you check your attic trusses and roof sheathing thoroughly. You should be on the lookout for mold, dampness, or water stains.
3. Take a Look at Your Ceilings
Even though mold isn’t always clearly visible on ceilings, there are some tell-tale signs you can look for. They include condensation, a musty and earthy smell, as well as damp spots. If you see a water stain, it’s a good idea to check that thoroughly.
4. Check Your Basement
While it’s important to inspect the entire home, pay special attention to your basement’s corners and ceilings. Use a flashlight to look closely at the joists and subfloor. In addition, remember that mold can appear as dirt sometimes. So, if a spot is proving to be a bit too difficult to clean, it might be mold instead.
5. Beware of Moldy Crawl Spaces
Due to high moisture, crawl spaces are often infested with mold. Crawlspaces may have water stains on baseboards, warped wood, or musty smells. If you spot it, calling in a professional to assist you may prove to be the best course of action.
6. Don’t Forget Your Windows
For this checkup, it’s essential to ensure that the windows can close completely and that no condensation builds up. Your windows should be dry on the inside of the home if there is no moisture build-up. Moreover, take a good look at the sills for discoloration and wood rot, as they are excellent indicators of the overall state of the windows.
7. Look at Your Drywall
Even if your drywall appears clean, mold could still be lurking inside of it. So, be on the lookout for any water stains, earthy odors in your rooms, as well as any stains on the drywall itself. Mold on drywall looks like dark stains or patches and usually covers a high-moisture area. Be sure to look behind the washing machine and other moisture-possible areas such as behind the water heater.
8. Make Sure the Closets Are Clear
Mold can easily find a home in the dark corners and ceilings of wardrobes. Before listing your home, inspect every nook and cranny in your closets and clean them thoroughly. Look behind your clothes and on the baseboards as mold can often be hiding back there.
9. Sliding Doors Can Be Tricky
If you have sliding doors in your home, don’t forget to check the sliding tracks. They can easily accumulate moisture, so they are the perfect home for all domestic types of mold. Glass sliding doors are the same as your windows, where no condensation should build up on the glass.
10. What’s Lurking in Your Vents?
And finally, don’t neglect your vents and AC system. They can easily spread mold spores throughout your entire home, which makes them one of the most important places to inspect. Be sure to inspect the air filter and if you have a humidifier, check the humidifier pad for any strange colors or discoloration.
We Can Help You
If you’re selling your home and you want to get the best possible deal, Mold Solutions can help you. Contact us today, and we will do a full sweep of your house and make sure mold is not on the list of your sale-related worries. We are waiting for your call!
