Q. We recently purchased a home that is 47 years old.  The former owner stated in the disclosure that the basement only had slight seepage during heavy and prolonged periods of rain.  Slight seepage  - when it rains I have 1-2 inches of water in my basement.  We don't have to wait for a heavy or prolonged rain either - it leaks with any rain.  At first it came in thru the window well.  With the last rain it came in both window wells and the whole length of the wall between them. Do we have a case against the former owner?  Is there a way to correct this problem - with the former owner paying for the corrections because she lied on her disclosure? There is mold growing on the wall in the middle of the basement - the only place where there is drywall.  It was freshly painted when we bought the place and now there are water stains going all down the walls. [December 17, 2004]
       A. You will need to ask your legal questions of a licensed attorney in your area. Find one who specializes in real estate law in the online version of the Martindale-Hubbell Directory of Attorneys [find thru google or yahoo]. You would also be helped by reading our in depth ebook Mold Legal Guide, available at our online mold products catalog. As to mold, as you fight for just compensation from the seller, please note the follow mold facts of life: (1) basement mold can easily grow into the insides of the floors and walls above; and (2) airborne mold spores from the basement mold can travel in air currents to mold cross contaminate your entire house and its heating/cooling system. Learn the 25 steps recommended for safe and effective mold remediation. You must first stop the water intrusion into your home by changing the grade of the lot to be away from the house, run pipes with roof rain far away from the basement walls and foundations, and waterproof the outside of the basement walls which have the water intrusion problem.

        Q.  My husband and I are looking at a 3 story home that was built in 2001. It has never been lived in as the builder had financial problems so it has just been sitting empty (no carpet, appliances, just drywall). A bank now owns it. We heard through the listing agent that the basement had a pipe break during the winter and that there were major mold problems. She also disclosed that the home was left exposed and this could have contributed to the mold issue. We live in rainy Seattle, Washington. She states that all of the drywall was ripped out and replaced. They are now finishing the basement and the rest of the house. It is a beautiful home but I am just so nervous about the mold issue. I read on your website that it can travel to the other floors. I am positive they only fixed the basement. I would plan to have a certified mold inspector come through during the inspection stage and have the entire house checked, but I guess I just am nervous to get into perhaps a mold hell, as I read you state in
another post. Another question.....knowing about the mold and that they took care of it (I haven't seen the paperwork on it yet since we haven't put in an offer) doesn't guarantee that it will be mold free in the future does it? Thank you in advance. This home is not cheap and we have saved and saved to purchase a home and I just don't want to see us getting a lemon. [Dec. 16, 2004]
          A. You are interested in buying a home with a mold history which you will probably need to disclose to your future buyers or tenants if you wish to re-sell or rent out this home in the future.  In addition, most mold remediation is done in an inferior way, usually leaving much hidden mold growth still in the allegedly-remediated house. Learn the 25 steps recommended for safe and effective mold remediation. To check out this home, you need to hire a Certified Mold Inspector to use fiber optics inspection inside many representative wall and ceiling cavities in the basement and the first floor to look visually for mold growth. The Inspector will also need to mold test the air of the basement, any crawl space, the attic, garage, each room, and the outward air flow from each heating/cooling duct register for the possible presence of elevated levels of airborne mold spores, in comparison to an outdoor mold control test. To help you deal with the mold remediation, possible legal issues, and your family health risks, it would be good for you to read all five of our mold advice, email delivered books [Mold Health Guide, $15; Mold Legal Guide, $15; Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing & Remediation, $15; Mold Monsters, $15; and Mold Home Remedy Recipes, $15] available through on the online mold products catalog.

          Q. I am a Real Estate Agent in a small town in Ontario on the shores of Lake Huron. I recently had a buyer get a home inspection done and the inspector found mold in the attic that has caused a lot of problems. The plywood in the attic was wet to the touch (it had been raining heavily that day) but the pictures he took were very disturbing. The wood was very black and blotchy and it appeared to be poorly ventilated. I advised my buyers to have a contractor look at the problem. The contractor said that he would have to either remove the roof or take off the eves, fascia and soffit in order to put proper ventilation in the roof. The cost was $3,250.00 for the second choice and of course much more for the first. The Sellers think that all they need to do is put in a couple of whirly birds in. They also said that if it were mold it would be a yellow colour and not black. IS THIS TRUE? I could send you picture if you like. The house also has a cracked foundation that was also wet on the interior and was filled with caulking. I think my buyers should walk from this deal but they really like the place regardless of its problems. Please advise if you can! [December 15, 2004]
        A. Deadly toxic mold Stachybotrys and hundreds of other dangerous indoor molds are black in color. Of course, there are dangerous molds in many assorted colors. The existence of mold in the attic is devastating to the home because attic mold easily grows into the ceilings and walls beneath. In addition, airborne mold spores from the attic can travel in air currents to mold cross contaminate the entire house and its heating/cooling system. The cracked foundation with water intrusion means that there will be water problems in the basement enabling mold to grow not only in the basement but also upward into the floors and walls above. Removing and replacing the roof is a smart move, but it is likely not to be enough. The home should be inspected for possible mold contamination INSIDE walls, ceilings, and floors. In addition, each room, basement, attic, and garage, and the outward air flow from each heating/cooling duct register need to be mold tested for elevated levels of airborne mold spores, in comparison to an outdoor mold control test. Your buyer can use do it yourself mold test kits available at a large hardware, home improvement, or safety store. If your buyer wants to know names and phone numbers of Certified Mold Inspectors in Ontario, just let me know. If the buyer buys this mold defective home, the buyer should expect to pay from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in mold remediation expenses. Read 25 steps for safe and effective mold remediation.

       Q.  I am in process of buying a house in another state from my present residence. A mold inspection revealed moderate to heavy mold in the crawl space. The present owner has agreed to have the mold removed by a firm that is knowledgeable in the area. What are key matters that I should be aware to be certain that the removal job is sufficient. [December 3, 2004]
       A. Crawl space mold easily grows into the walls and floors above [necessitating fiber optics inspection inside the walls and floors by a Certified Mold Inspector hired and paid for by you so that his or her allegiance is to your well-being, not the seller's.. In addition, airborne mold spores from the crawl space can travel in air currents to mold cross contaminate the entire house and its heating/cooling system. Have the mold inspector mold test the air of each room, basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and the outward air flow from each heating/cooling duct register for the possible presence of elevated levels of airborne mold spores. Make sure that the mold remediation is done in accordance with the 25 steps recommended for safe and effective mold remediation. Ask the mold inspector do what is called "clearance testing" after the mold remediation work is done to make sure the mold problem has been allegedly solved. Many mold remediators do an inferior job of mold remediation because of shortcuts taken and poor employee training and supervision.  Please realize that you may have to disclose the mold history of the home to prospective buyers and tenants in the future even if the house has been mold remediated. That will lower the sale price or make the home difficult to sell.

Read the in depth book Mold Legal Guide, only $15.00, available at Mold Mart.