When should I worry about mold found during a home inspection?
Quick answer: Mold grows wherever there is moisture, so finding some in a Bloomington basement, attic, or bathroom is common. Worry when mold is widespread, when it points to an ongoing water source like a chronic leak or attic condensation, or when occupants have health sensitivities. A home inspector is not a mold tester, but will note visible suspected mold and moisture conditions and recommend evaluation. Fixing the moisture source is always the real solution, not just wiping the surface.
Mold is a symptom of a moisture problem. Small amounts on a bathroom ceiling from poor ventilation differ greatly from extensive growth on basement walls fed by foundation seepage. The inspector's job is to identify the moisture conditions that allow it to grow.
In Minnesota, attic mold is frequently driven by wintertime condensation from warm, humid indoor air leaking into a cold attic with poor ventilation. Correcting air sealing and ventilation removes the moisture that feeds the growth.
If extensive mold is found, a qualified remediation specialist can assess and clean it properly, and testing can identify type and extent if needects. But remediation without fixing the underlying leak or condensation will only let the mold return.
