What if you're preparing to sell your house and an inspection report notes that your bathroom, basement, kitchen, or other areas have toxic mold? What does that mean for your home sale?

Unfortunately, if not remediated, mold could torpedo a sale. Toxic mold can not only be an eyesore, but also cause illness, especially in children, seniors, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Further, significant mold growth in areas like floor joists, sill plates, and rafters can threaten the structural integrity of your home.

And while toxic mold usually does not result in potentially fatal conditions, buyers will have a hard time agreeing to buy your home for your asking price, or even buying it at all, if mold is found.

When preparing your home for sale, here's what to know about mold:

• Don't wait for an inspection report to find mold. Carefully assess all corners of your home, paying particular attention to areas where moisture tends to accumulate as well as areas where water damage may have occurred.
• Use a home testing kit to determine the type of mold that's in your home. If it's a toxigenic or pathogenic type of mold, call a professional to remediate it.
• Remediate it immediately. If it's not toxigenic or pathogenic and only covers a small area, you might be able to do it yourself, but nine times out of ten, you're better off hiring a professional.
• Disclose it to your realtor. Home inspectors will likely find mold if it is growing in your home. And even if they don't, you could face legal consequences down the line for failing to disclose mold in your home. The best way to deal with mold during a real estate transaction is to eliminate it promptly and transparently.

When You Need to Hire a Professional

Can you handle mold yourself? It's possible for some minor forms of mold, but the overwhelming majority of the time, you're better off hiring a professional. Hire one if your mold is:

• Toxigenic or pathogenic
• From substantial water damage, such as from a leaking or burst pipe 
• Visible in an area larger than the size of a door
• Significant enough that you can smell it
• In porous areas like ceiling tiles, drywall, wallboard, insulation, or carpet

Also, if you have allergies, other respiratory issues, or a compromised immune system, don't try to remove mold yourself. Hire a pro.

What You Should Look for in a Professional

There are many mold remediation companies on the market. However, the best ones: 

• Document all findings, testing, and remediation activities undertaken in writing and with photos
• Offer a warranty obligating them to return to eliminate mold if it returns to the home within a set number of years
• Offer air-quality testing to ensure that mold has not compromised your air quality 

Eliminate Mold in Your Home Today

If you're looking for affordable, comprehensive mold remediation services in the Connecticut or Westchester County, NY area, look no further than BioClean. At BioClean, we use environmentally-friendly remediation methods sure to eliminate your mold infestation, as well as five-year limited warranties to make sure your property remains mold-free. 

We're also top-rated by HomeAdvisor and have extensive experience working with homeowners, insurance adjusters, and realtors. So if you're selling your home and have stumbled across mold, don't hesitate another minute. Contact us today!