Mold is hot issue in home sales

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Updated: February 3, 2012 2:28PM

The spring thaws that Chicagoans yearn for each winter also come with the increased chance of home water damage from leaky roofs or seeping basements. In turn, water can lead to mold — and that’s a hot issue for home sales today. But it doesn’t have to burn you.

According to Eric Rahn of Chicagoland Mold Doctors of Franklin Park, “Mold doesn’t have to be scary. We breathe it in everyday, as it’s everywhere. In fact, without mold we’d
cease to exist, as it’s part of how life recycles.”

He continued, “What we don’t want is mold running rampant in our homes as it can cause health issues, ranging from minor allergies to more serious illness. No one can yet agree on what level of mold presents a health hazard, so it’s not regulated like radon.”

While mold disclosures sometimes accompany listed-home disclosure packages today, they are not mandated by the state or federal law, as are lead paint and radon. They are simply an option. However, if you know of mold or a potential mold-producing situation in your home, like a leaky basement, Rahn implores homeowners to take care of the problem sooner than later.

“Mold grows with moisture, and mold spores feast on anything wet and organic like wood or drywall,” said Rahn. “Typically you can smell or see it. However, if there was water damage in the past that was not properly remediated, mold spores could be lying dormant, ready to start up again if moisture returns.”

The Chicagoland Mold Doctors remediate, but they refer out for mold testing as Rahn feels it would otherwise be a conflict of interest. He noted, in a home sale situation, buyers and sellers sometimes just agree there is evident mold to be remediated, and skip testing. But if there’s any question as to how extensive a mold problem is, testing
is recommended. Testing runs from $250-300 for a basic report, to about $500-600 for in-depth qualitative reports.

As for remediation costs, they can run the gamut from about $500 for a small issue to many thousands of dollars for more extensive problems. Key culprit areas are poorly ventilated attics, moist basements and crawlspaces. Interestingly, newer homes can sometimes be more susceptible to mold build-up than older homes because of their air-tight efficiency. Mold spores don’t flow in and out as freely as they do in vintage, airier homes.

“Two things are key to keeping mold in check. Good ventilation and moisture prevention, including dehumidifying basements,” Rahn said, noting mold grows in wet environments within about a day.

Most remediation specialists offer free estimates, and the best make sure the original issue that created the problem — such as a foundation crack or failing roof system — is fixed by other trade experts before they begin their work.

Julie Morse is a licensed Realtor
in Illinois and Wisconsin.