One of the biggest reasons a buyer may turn down a home is because of mold. Often, however, you may not know you have mold until the inspection happens. With that, how do you know if you have mold and what can you do to eliminate it before you list your home. We'll look at the common mold growth sources, how to prevent it, and how to clean it up.

Sources of Mold

Mold comes from excessive moisture. Living in Florida, we are no strangers to rainy days and high humidity. Common sources of mold include:

• Roof Leaks
• Indoor plumbing leaks
• Poor drainage
• Dryer vents
• Faulty oven vents
• Faulty bathroom vents

These are a few areas to check for mold. Of course, some areas may be difficult or not show obvious black mold signs. 

Detecting Mold

Start by looking for signs of excess moisture and warping in the surrounding areas. Mold may be discolored, slimy patches. It can also appear fuzzy. Often a musty smell accompanies mold. Look for water stains underneath surfaces as well, carpets, cabinets and even behind walls if you can. 

Cleaning up Mold

First, begin by identifying the source of excess moisture and fix that before cleaning. Depending on the issue, you may consider hiring a contractor to do the work, such as a leaky roof, poor vents, etc.

Discard anything with a porous material such as drywall or carpet. Likely the items may have taken in more mold than you realize. Discard anything that can't be thoroughly cleaned and dried. 

Harder items such as wood and tile floors can be cleaned with a sturdy soap and water. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask so that you're not inhaling mold. Again, a contractor may be best for the job if it's larger or a deep clean maid service. 

In most cases, a mold detection service is unnecessary. Most of the time a homeowner can identify and clean mold growth on their own. If you need help to detect or cleaning mold, Realty Professionals offers quality vetted contractors to deal with any repair or cleaning needs.