Purchasing a new home brings a lot of pleasure and excitement, but also requires tedious searching, a lot of discussions with a real estate agent and significant investments. Even when a seemingly perfect home is found, the story doesn’t end there. There are a number of problems that might be hidden or barely noticeable at first glance – from bad plumbing and issues with windows to more serious problems like unpleasant odours and the presence of mold. Some of those problems are a nuisance, while mold and other odour-causing contaminants pose a serious threat to human health. A pre-purchase home inspection for mold and similar pollutants is necessary to ensure that there are no health concerns in the home being considered for purchase. This is an absolute must when it comes to resale homes and old buildings, because of their age and potentially questionable maintenance. A good home inspector will give an unbiased opinion on the home and easily spot potential problems, saving thousands of dollars that the buyer would otherwise spend on restoration.
What issues does a home inspection address
A home inspector performs a thorough check-up of the entire house, usually beginning with plumbing. He will test the all appliances that use water, including sinks, toilets, showers, tubs and pipes. Issues with plumbing are very expensive to repair, so knowing the state of the entire plumbing system can save significant amounts of money, and water leaks can help identify larger problems like mold contamination. Molds release unpleasant odours and their spores cause a variety of negative effects on health, like throat irritation, coughing, runny or stuffy nose, rashes and other skin problems. The elderly and people that have allergies or weakened immune systems are especially sensitive to mold. Mold usually develops in damp places like bathrooms and basements, as it needs moisture to thrive, so those places are the first ones to be checked. If the home inspector suspects that mold is present, it is necessary to run some tests and confirm which type of mold has developed. Considering that mold removal can be a costly procedure, this situation can be used for negotiating a better price for the wanted real estate. The presence of bad odours is also an important thing that affects the quality and price of a real estate. Causes of unpleasant smells are various – from cigarette smoke and odours from fire damage, to biological agents such as pets and mold, and even cannibis-related operations.
What can I do if a pre-purchase home inspection finds mold & odour issues?
If a home inspection reveals issues in the home that is under consideration for purchase, depending on their nature, the buyer may negotiate with the seller to fix those issues. Even though many sellers are very inflexible when it comes to sharing the bill for cosmetic repairs, they should be open to discussion when it comes to more serious problems like presence of mold, unpleasant odours, bad plumbing or fallible insulation. If the home is in an older building, it is of utmost importance to call a professional to inspect and test for the presence of mold. Inch by Inch Inspections is a certified home inspection company with years of successful working history. Their expert knowledge, professional staff and affordable pricing provide the best mold inspection, testing and removal services in Toronto and GTA.
Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial investments a person makes in their life, and it is very important to do it wisely. Experience and knowledge are crucial in this process, so it is strongly advised to find a certified and trustworthy home inspection agency that will do their job honestly and professionally. Inch by Inch is specialized in home and commercial building inspections, with years of experience in air quality testing, mold inspection, removal and remediation, and odour elimination, amongst other services. The company adheres to the industry’s most comprehensive standards of practice and believes that its clients should arrive at their own thoughts about a property by being provided with reproducible and objective results.
Inch by Inch Inspections uses high-tech inspection equipment and techniques, and provides flat rate pricing without hidden expenses. Its staff is composed of discrete and knowledgeable professionals, ensuring the best quality of service. Call Inch by Inch Inspections at 416-568-9702 or fill out our form to request a quote.