Increase Your Home Value By Getting Rid of Residential Mold

If you’re planning on listing your home on the market, there are all kinds of important things you have to keep in mind and do to ensure you’re getting a fair return. First, consider decluttering your home since on average, households in the U.S. have 300,000 things in them. Next, it’s time to focus on the big stuff.

Plenty of homeowners consider making upgrades a few months before their homes are listed in order to maximize property values. In fact, according to a recent survey, almost two-thirds of homeowners are planning on renovating their properties. During these renovations, though, certain problems could emerge, potentially jeopardizing the entire sale.

According to Realtor.com, no word strikes fear into the hearts of homebuyers and sellers more than mold.

“It’s a four-letter word, and most definitely has been the issue of greatest magnitude for my home sellers,” said Michael Edlen, a real estate agent in California.

It only takes 48 hours for mold to set in and the longer things remain moist the more likely they are to be destroyed or permanently damaged.

Thankfully, if you’re worried about mold inside a home, there are a few things you can do to limit mold-related home damage:

• Control your indoor climate and humidity — During the summer, on those hot, humid days, homeowners often reach to the thermostat to keep their homes cool. Try to avoid playing with your air conditioner too much because keeping the temperature too low will create cold surfaces where water vapor can condense, subsequently leading to mold growth.Similarly, your indoor humidity levels should sit between 30% and 50%. Anything above 50% could cause some issues and certain species of mold will likely begin growing. There are a few great air purifiers on the market that will help with your home’s air quality, as well: the Coway Airmega 200M, Blueair Blue Pure 211+, Levoit LV131 air purifier, and the Pure Company portable air purifier.
• Keep your house clean — The easiest way to welcome mold into your home is to not pick up after yourself. Everything from bedroom clutter to a messy kitchen can lead to all kinds of mold issues. You need to pick up around your house every day and thoroughly clean your home every few weeks or so. Don’t forget about your furniture, either because mold can grow underneath and inside dirty beds, couches, and chairs. To clean leather furniture, use a conditioner every six to 12 months and wipe up spills as they occur with a clean cloth.
• Evaluate your air conditioner — If your AC is cycling on and off periodically, blowing cold air when it reaches the set point, or is making weird sounds, there could be some costly problems on your hands. Additionally, contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals are often pulled into HVAC systems and re-circulated five to seven times a day. Over time, this re-circulation will cause a buildup in the ductwork, putting your family’s health at risk.
• Identify problems early on — The best way to prevent mold growth is to identify problem areas. Search your home for standing water or chronic dampness. As the part of your home closest to the ground, your basement is a key place to check. Over 98% of all homes with a basement have experienced some type of water damage. Not only can this damage compromise your foundation, but it can lead to mold growth. Look for areas of water damage and standing puddles around hot water tanks, freezers, sump pumps, refrigerators, basement doors, windows, and crawl spaces.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to mold prevention. As long as you’re remaining vigilant, are consulting with mold removal professionals, and are keeping your home as clean as possible — you should have a clean and mold-free home!