Can Mold Cause Structural Damage?

Mold can cause structural damage to walls, floors, and ceilings. But mold doesn’t usually cause structural damage on its own. Along with mold, you’ll typically find water damage, foundation damage, or construction defects. If you’re getting ready to purchase a home, a professional mold inspection could save you a fortune in repairs down the road.

Is mold a structural defect?

When you’re buying a house, it’s always a good idea to schedule a mold inspection. Home inspectors and appraisers don’t always check for mold, because not all of them consider mold to be a structural defect. However, mold often indicates that there is other structural damage—a leak in the roof, faulty plumbing, a crack in the foundation—so a wise homebuyer should take caution.

Can mold destroy a house?

Even though mold won’t bring your entire house crumbling down, you could lose walls, ceilings, floors, and roofing to decay. Mold feeds on organic building materials like plywood, two-by-fours, and the paper backing on drywall. If left unchecked, mold growth can weaken those components and force you to make costly repairs.

Should I buy a house with mold?

If you see visible mold in a house you plan to buy, or if your home inspector reports finding signs of mold, you might want to reconsider. Mold in homes usually isn’t visible until after it has caused significant damage. If the house you buy has mold, you might be facing some major renovations before you can move in.

Even if you plan to renovate anyway, you’ll need to make sure that mold won’t be a problem in the future. You’ll need to remove any mold-damaged building materials and repair the structural damage that was causing the mold in the first place, whether it was a leaky pipe or a hole in the roof. You should also schedule professional mold remediation services to make sure that the mold can’t regrow.

Professional Mold Inspections in San Francisco

If you’re wondering whether mold might have caused structural damage in your current home or a house you plan to buy, call My Pure Environment to schedule an inspection. If we find any mold, we’ll advise you on your next best steps for mold remediation. Make sure that your home is structurally sound and free of dangerous mold—call us at 408-741-9878, or schedule an appointment online today.

Photo by Gustavo Zambelli on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 6/27/2022.