There are a few issues you never want to come across in your home, and mold is at the top of the list. Mold is unsightly, damaging to your property, and hazardous to your health. Removing it can be a lengthy and costly process.
A lot of homeowners or landlords think that simply painting over mold is a quick, inexpensive way to address the problem. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case and can make your mold problem even more dangerous.
What happens if you paint over mold?
Mold is a living organism, not just a stain or accumulation of dirt you can wipe or bleach away. Paint will only hide it for a short period of time. Mold will continue to grow if not addressed properly, and eventually eat through the new layer of paint as it did the old one. Signs of mold that has been painted over include:
- Bubbled, cracked, peeling, or chipped paint
- Yellow tinged paint
- Uneven wall/ceiling surfaces
- Odor
What are the risks of painting over mold?
Failing to remove mold from your household before painting can have dangerous long-term consequences for your property and its inhabitants. Mold growth saturates and deteriorates many of the materials used in your home, which can result in costly property damage.
Mold also jeopardizes the health of your family members, as it can cause wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, skin irritation, itchy eyes, headache, and even (if inhaled) abdominal pain.
How do you get rid of mold?
Because mold exposure can be dangerous, it’s best to hire a professional to handle removal. In mild cases, depending on the type of mold you’re dealing with, you may be able to use a mold cleaner or household remover. Once removed, it’s a good idea to repaint with mold-resistant primer and paint.
When you’re searching for a new home, painted over mold is something to look for before you make a big investment in a costly problem. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced realtor who knows the right steps to take to assure the safety, condition, and value of a property before you buy. For your Rockledge and Brevard County, Florida real estate search, that realtor is Peri Kiros.
Contact our team today so we can help walk you through a successful home sale!