Mold remediation: How to identify and treat mold in Tucson homes before selling
Mold infests homes even in dry areas like Tucson.
Tucson ranks 5th in the nation of large driest cities, and second driest only to Phoenix in Arizona. With an average annual rainfall of 10.6 inches, you may think mold isn’t a problem here, but mold can live anywhere there is moisture and food. Indoors, mold can feed on carpets, drywall, wood, or anything that contains cellulose.
Mold growth in your house could be detrimental to the structure, be dangerous for any residents, and make the property difficult to sell. That’s why it’s important to identify and remove mold as quickly as possible. However, if you’re already planning to sell your home rather than paying for mold remediation, exploring ways to sell your house “as is” could be worth considering.
How is moisture trapped in Tucson homes?
In a dry location such as Tucson, most moisture is generated in-house and not from outdoors or wet weather. Once moisture, food, and mold spores are present indoors, mold can start to grow in 24–48 hours. Moisture can come from:
- Shower steam
- Cooking steam
- Clothes dryers vented indoors
- Clothing hanging up to dry indoors
- Stoves not vented outdoors
- Backed up sewers
- Water pipe leaks
- Humidifiers
- Flat roofs that need maintenance due to leaks or cracks
- HVAC systems
The dangers of indoor mold
Mold can cause damage to homes, including drywall damage, stains, and rotted wood. It could also be a health hazard. If there is a lot of mold indoors, it can cause asthma attacks, lung infections, and other respiratory issues. Mold can affect you if it’s inhaled, ingested from mold-contaminated food, or absorbed through skin contact. Some people will develop an allergy to mold. Immunocompromised people, those who are being treated for cancer, infants, children, and the elderly are most at risk, but anyone can be affected.
Some possible symptoms of mold in the house
According to the American Lung Association, “The presence of mold in homes can trigger allergies, asthma attacks, and other respiratory problems, making indoor air quality a critical concern.” If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should consider seeing a doctor and having your home checked for mold.
- Problems breathing
- Sinus congestion
- Wheezing
- Aches and pains
- Sore throat
- Skin irritation
- Continuous headaches
- Moodiness
- Eye irritation
Signs of household mold and their appearance
Listed below are the most common types of mold found in Tucson houses and structures, their appearance, and where you may find them.
-
Stachybotrys chartarum. This mold is also called “black mold.” It grows on paper and drywall. Its color is greenish black. Black mold abatement is particularly difficult.
-
Aspergillus. You’ll find this mold in fabrics like curtains, in walls, in basements, and sometimes in attics. It’s a powdery-looking white, green or gray with dark spots. It can also be found on dry food.
-
Penicillium. Found in insulation, damp spaces, or under carpets, it is yellow, green, or blue and has a fuzzy appearance.
-
Cladosporium. This is typically found in fabrics, in carpets, or on wood, and in cooling and heating ductwork. It’s black, green, and brown.
-
Aureobasidium. This lives in caulking, grout, and wood. It’s pink with black spots.
-
Alternaria. Grows near windows and air conditioners, kitchens, and bathrooms and is white with black spots; it’s fuzzy in appearance.
-
Trichoderma. Lives on windows, on wood, and in humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. It’s white or green in color.
Mold often has an earthy, musty odor. Inspect damp areas and locations with a history of water damage or leaks for signs of mold growth.
Mold abatement in Tucson houses
Mold abatement can be handled in two different ways. You can take a DIY approach or hire a mold remediation company.
If you plan to do it yourself, be sure to put safety first. It’s recommended that you put up plastic around moldy areas to reduce spread, wear a respirator, cover up with old clothing that can be discarded afterwards, and wear goggles and rubber gloves. Take frequent breaks in the fresh outdoor air and keep windows open. Follow these steps to help remove mold:
-
Eliminate the moisture problem. Stop leaks, and repair condensation problems.
-
Dry out the area, which will take a few days. Use a dehumidifier.
-
Remove carpeting, affected drywall, fabrics, and anything else that has mold on it. If possible, bag it when discarding.
-
Using a stiff brush, hot water, and soap, clean the affected area thoroughly.
-
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, “EPA and OSHA do not recommend the use of bleach when cleaning up mold, except as needed for immune compromised individuals. They recommend using only a detergent and water solution in most circumstances.”
-
Dry the area thoroughly again.
Immunocompromised people or other at-risk individuals should hire a licensed contractor, especially in the case of black mold abatement. According to home improvement expert Bob Vila, “…the recommended square footage for DIY mold remediation is 10 square feet (about the area of a bathtub) and under. Larger than that area and professional services are suggested.” Mold abatement costs in Tucson are a few hundred dollars up to $10,000, but average about $2,000, according to Tucson Consumer Affairs.
Does mold impact the value of your house?
Unfortunately, mold can have a big impact on the value of your house. According to a study in The Appraisal Journal, “...researchers found that home resale value dropped an average of 20% to 37% for both minor and major mold problems.” Statistics show that even houses with resolved mold problems sell at a lower price.
Although there are no state or federal laws that prohibit selling a house containing mold, Arizona law dictates that sellers disclose any issues with their homes in a Statement of Disclosure. Many potential buyers may be deterred from buying a house that has mold for health reasons. The presence of mold may also indicate other problems with the house, such as flooding, leaking, and other moisture issues.
Selling your Tucson house without removing mold
If your mold issue is overwhelming, if it’s causing you health problems, or if you just don’t feel like going through all the work involved in removing it, you can sell “as is” to We Buy Ugly Houses® in Tucson. We buy houses in all kinds of conditions, including mold-infested homes. Take advantage of our free, no-obligation consultation by contacting us and setting up an appointment at a time that is convenient for you. One of our friendly Tucson property specialists will visit you, take a tour of your property, and answer your questions.
We can sometimes provide a fast offer the same day. If you accept our offer, we can sometimes close in as little as 3 weeks, or longer if you need more time. We take pride in our nationwide satisfaction rating—95%*—and our great reviews.
Don’t let mold interfere with the sale of your house. Contact us today to learn more.
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
