3 Signs your house has mold damage

Mold Damage

Mold is one of the most common types of construction defects. If you just bought a house and suspect it has mold, you may be able to prove the construction defect in court and recover damages. Missing the signs of mold could cause your home to decrease in value.

If the mold was present and noticed by the previous owner, it could likely be covered by that person’s homeowner’s insurance. It is important to catch these things right away as there are time limits for when you can file a lawsuit for these issues.

Here are three signs your house has mold damage:

1. You smell a musty odor in a certain area or areas of your home that can’t be explained otherwise.
2. You see mold growth. Mold can show up in a variety of colors – it may appear black, dark green, blue, brown, yellow, red, orange or even white. If your walls or ceilings are also white, it can be easy to miss until the mold grows to cover a larger surface. Mold not only can grow on your walls and ceilings, but also floors, window sills and hidden areas like the corners of a closet.
3. You had a leak or several leaks in your home that left standing water. If this happened before your purchased your home, you can tell by looking for water stains or discoloration on your walls and ceilings. Mold grows in areas that have moisture, are in the correct temperature range for mold to grow and have a food source for the mold to thrive. A food source is not necessarily food, but can be ceiling tiles, insulation, paper sheathing, carpet, wood moldings, or hardwood floors.

How does mold cause damage?

Mold is not only a problem to the structure of your home, but it poses health risks to those around it. On the physical side of the issue, mold can result in serious damage to your house as it feeds on and breaks down the “food source” it’s growing on – which are your walls, ceiling, insulation, carpet, or wood flooring. These items likely need to be replaced if mold is discovered growing on them. If mold gets out of hand, it could also ruin other personal property within the home, if the mold is found growing on the objects. Mold is very difficult to clean or remove from an item.

You have a right to expect the house you just bought is free of construction defects and safe fr you and your family to live in. Unfortunately, when defects are discovered, it can be both stressful and highly disappointing. An attorney that specializes in construction law can help you find out who is responsible for the damage, get justice and recover damages, so you can eliminate the problem in your home and feel comfortable again.