Mold Inspector Warns That Hot Housing Market Could Be Hiding A Deadly Problem

HOUSTON, June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's housing market is the hottest it has been in years. Homes are selling faster and at increasingly higher prices, and buyers are eagerly showing their confidence in the rebounding economy by snapping up houses nearly as soon as they hit the market. But amidst all this activity lurks a hidden danger that many people are ignoring, warns one man. The problem? Toxic mold.

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"No one wants to buy a home with a mold problem, but unless you get a thorough mold inspection from a licensed professional, those hazardous, toxic spores aren't always easy to detect," said Chris Felan, certified Houston mold inspector and president at Mold Inspections of Houston. "The problem is that if you unknowingly buy a house with a mold problem, you could be putting your family's health at serious risk."

While no one knows exactly how many homes have mold, a 2013 report from the National Center for Healthy Housing says that about 40 percent of all homes in the United States have one or more health and safety hazards, with mold topping the list (source). Felan also noted that as foreclosed homes continue to work their way out of the market, the mold problem is only worsening.

"A lot of foreclosed homes have been abandoned for extended periods of time. When people aren't going in and out of a home and the AC isn't running, there's no ventilation. This provides the perfect breeding ground for toxic mold to grow," said Felan.

It has been estimated in the past that more than 50 percent of all foreclosed homes have mold and mildew issues. If an unsuspecting buyer doesn't have a professional mold inspection done before making a purchase, they could end up with a problem on their hands that's not only hazardous to their health (the CDC says that mold exposure can cause nasal congestion, eye irritation, wheezing, coughing, skin problems, fever, and even lung infections) but also expensive to remedy.

"The cost of mold removal and mold remediation can range from a few thousand dollars all the way up to $30,000 or even higher in some cases," said Felan. "That's why it's so important that anyone thinking about buying a home has a professional mold inspection performed by a certified mold inspector. This will help catch any issues before the purchase is made, so the buyer can back out of the deal or negotiate a better offer."

Felan's company, Mold Inspections of Houston, conducts complete residential mold inspections for clients across the greater Houston area. His team of certified mold inspectors has been conducting mold inspections in Houston for years.

To learn more, visit www.MoldInspectionHouston.com.

About Mold Inspections of Houston

Mold Inspections of Houston offers complete mold testing services to residential and commercial clients across the greater Houston area. With a team of certified mold inspectors, the company offers affordable services guaranteed to identify any hidden mold. Learn more at www.MoldInspectionHouston.com.

Media Contact:  Christopher Felan  713.446.9737

SOURCE Mold Inspections of Houston