Mold Discovered in Attic during Home Inspection

Mold in a home's attic is a sign of high humidity or other water buildup. Mold thrives in damp areas. While doing an inspection recently, Jon came across an attic with many signs of mold. He included this information in the inspection report.

What is Mold?
Molds are fungi. Molds grow throughout the natural and built environment. Tiny particles of mold are present in indoor and outdoor air. In nature, molds help break down dead “spores” which are very tiny and spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions.

What does Mold need to Grow?
Mold only needs a few, simple things to grow and multiply:



Moisture (humidity, water leak, etc.)
Nutrients (dust, wallpaper, drywall, cardboard or wood) Suitable place to grow (almost anywhere)

Why Test for Mold before You Buy a Home?
Mold growth is often not visible in a home. For instance, when moisture finds its way into the air ducts, behind wallpaper, or in between two walls, it is the perfect habitat for mold spores to live and grow because mold feeds on dust as well as drywall material.

Health Effects of Mold Infestation
The most common health problems caused by indoor mold are allergy symptoms. Although other and more serious problems can occur, people exposed to mold commonly report problems such as:

Nasal and sinus congestion
Coughing
Wheezing and breathing difficulties
Sore throat
Skin and eye irritation
Upper respiratory infections (including sinus)

Mold causes serious health problems and can destroy the structural integrity of a home. Remediation can cost thousands of dollars. Testing is the only way to identify if there is a mold problem, even when there is no visible mold growth.