Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Selling a House? Kill Mold Before it Ruins Your House!

    Selling a house?  Nowadays, houses are on the market for years. People tend to get really busy and don't bother to check on their properties for extended periods of time.  In that extended period of time, a leak can occur and mold can grow from 24 hours to 48 hours after water intrusion.
     Realtors today know that not only is the homeowner losing money but so are they.  Why is mold such a big problem?  Mold problems depending on the scope can cost a wad to re mediate.  Think of a leaking roof from a bad storm and month have passes.  Water has not only dripped from the roof to the attic but through the bedroom and into the living room. Because there is no one there to clean up and prevent mold,  the basement also flooded because of the 10 days in a row that it rained.  No one knows this until it is too late.
   Prevent mold by running a dehumidifier for basement in the basement.  Mold primarily grows in basements because it is warm, dark and damp.  Use mold air purifiers throughout the house to keep the air fresh instead of stale which is the first thing smelled by prospective owners. They actually kill mold in the air. Make a schedule, preferably once a week, to visit and walk through all of the property.  Turning off the heat can mean busted, frozen pipes.  Leave the heat on especially when the low drops way below freezing.  Make sure that the gutters have been cleaned out before it gets too cold.  If heat tape needs to be installed on pipes that are exposed to the elements,make sure it is done. 
     If mold does grow, you have a legal responsibility to tell the prospective owner.  Insurance in most states will not cover medical and home related expenses due to mold.  Mold can make a person very sick; infants under the age of 6 months are at a very high risk if exposed to high levels of mold.  The problem today is that more and more houses are considered moldy.  We do not know that we need to prevent mold , kill mold and be on guard against high levels of water intrusion and humidity.  Think about it, 1 of 2 buildings/homes in the U.S. have mold due to water intrusion. That did not occur because people were careful to avoid having mold in their homes! Folks do not think mold is a big deal.  Hey, I can leave my house because what is going to happen? Maybe a neighbor is keeping an eye on your house, but if they are not going in and making sure that water is not leaking then it does not take long for mold to take over.
     Keep the humidity level down.  Make sure that pipes do not freeze by turning off the heat.  Open the windows occasionally and let some fresh air in. Prevent mold by taking these steps. 
    Just talk to a realtor.  The one I talked to went on and on as to how she will not enter a mold infested house.  She said:  'I have seen things I cannot talk about."  Dig into the web and you will see that mold is costing homeowners thousands.
    Just let your house alone awhile and see what mess you can end up with.
Visit us for more info:  StopMoldCold.Com/BeHealthy

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