Can Mold Grow in a New Home?

Poor Construction Standards

• Homes built during the housing boom between 1999 and 2006 may have mold issues that weren’t a problem with previous new homes. Reporter Jim Weiker of "The Columbus Dispatch" notes that there are several explanations. The large number of new homes during the housing boom made it difficult for building inspectors to do thorough inspections; shoddy building materials and hasty construction led to moisture accumulation, which causes mold.

  Other building practices became standard during the housing boom and have continued today. Oriented-strand board is a sheathing material used in place of the plywood used on homes built before 1999. The less-expensive strand board absorbs more water than plywood, allowing moisture to accumulate.

  Many builders use a paper sheathing on the exterior of homes in order to save money. Paper sheathing does not protect against moisture as well as other sheathing. The stucco used in many new homes is thin and applied in only two layers, which allows moisture to penetrate it and build up behind the stucco, enabling mold to grow.

  Homes built at any time by a builder who was cutting corners in order to save time and money may be affected by mold.

Where Mold Is Found in Your New Home

• The bathroom is often a source of mold. Make sure that the room is properly ventilated and keep areas around the tub, shower and sink clean and dry. Even new caulking can grow mold if the humidity in the room is too high.

  Basements can be damp, especially if the builder poured the foundation of your home in bad weather, which can cause cracks. Check for moisture build-up around exterior foundation walls. The exterior walls of your new home may have mold build-up in between the siding or stucco and the sheathing board. Moisture trapped underneath stucco is often visible.

Health Problems Associated with Mold

• The presence of mold in the home can be hazardous to your health. Allergic reactions and irritation of the lungs, eyes, skin and sinuses can occur in people who are allergic to mold. Mold can also trigger asthma attacks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states, “Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins).”

How to Get Rid of Mold

• Address the moisture problem that is causing mold to grow. If you remove the mold, but fail to remove the source of moisture, the mold will just return. While cleaning the mold, seal or contain the area to avoid mold spores from becoming airborne and permeating the home. Close the door, use plastic tarps and close all vents. Turn off your air-conditioning or heating system before cleaning.

  If the mold area is dry, spritz it with water first to avoid spores becoming airborne. Then scrub the area with soap and water, and follow up with a disinfectant. Make sure the affected area is completely dry.