FORT LAUDERDALE -- In Florida鈥檚 hot and humid climate, mold can be found almost anywhere, from multimillion-dollar beachfront condominiums to family neighborhoods and bargain-priced foreclosures. That means a thorough mold inspection is an important component of a real estate transaction for both buyers and sellers.

鈥淣o one wants a home sale to be derailed by an unexpected mold problem,鈥? said Traci-Anne Boyle, president and owner, AirQuest Environmental, Inc., a Fort Lauderdale company founded in 2002. 鈥淎 mold inspection can determine whether or not corrective action is necessary, providing peace of mind to the buyer and seller.鈥?

Boyle said serious outbreaks of mold are almost always linked to some type of water problem, such as a hole in the roof, a broken water pipe, a crack in an outside wall or a blockage in an air conditioning drain line.

鈥淢old can also flourish in a vacant home when the air-conditioning is turned off for months at a time,鈥?Boyle said. 鈥淢old can also be a serious problem in a foreclosure or other distressed sale when the owner has no money to run the AC system.鈥?

A mold inspection usually begins with a visual assessment of the home鈥檚 interior, LED Street Light LU04-112W exterior and AC system for signs of mold and water damage. Then, wallboard, flooring, ceiling panels or other interior materials are checked to see if they contain excessive moisture.

In addition to detailing mold conditions inside a home, an inspection report will usually include recommendations for correcting the problem. 鈥淎 seller should carefully follow these recommendations and document every step of the process,鈥?Boyle said.

Fortunately, many mold conditions can be treated easily and inexpensively. Ordinary household cleaners can be very effective against mold on hard surfaces, such as tile, stone or wood. However, carpeting, drywall or other types of interior materials may need to be removed from the home.

鈥淎 seller should also correct the conditions that led to the mold problem,鈥?Boyle added. 鈥淭hat could be as simple as fixing a plumbing fixture or as complex as tearing out several interior walls or repairing the roof. After the repairs are done, a follow-up inspection can assure the buyer of the success of the makeup brushes remediation.鈥?

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