Mold: Is It Hiding in the Home You’re Buying?

Mold is a fungus that comes in various colors (black, white, green, or gray) and shapes. While some molds are visible and even odorous, mold can also grow between walls, under floors and ceilings, or in less accessible spots, such as basements and attics. Mold does best in water-soaked materials, but can survive in almost any damp location.

Here are some common places in a home where mold is likely to take hold:

• around leaking pipes, windows, or roofs
• tightly sealed buildings (common with new construction), which trap excess moisture inside, and
• homes with poor ventilation, numerous over-watered houseplants, and housekeeping habits that ignore obvious dampness and don’t include airing the place out.