Questions about mold (Jackson, Memphis: real estate, buying a house, buying)

[p-squared]

Hey all, my wife and I are looking at real estate in MS in preparation to move down there. We found a really nice place in Jackson County that suits our needs well, but it got some water in it a couple years ago when storm drains backed up. Some cosmetic damage to floors, no big deal, but we noticed a fair bit of black mold around an A/C vent and the A/C return. The house has not been air conditioned/ventilated for quite some time because it is sitting empty. I have been friends with the owner for several years now so I'm sure that is when the water damage occurred and not during Katrina.

I'm going to spend a bunch of time checking out how to fight mold to see if this place is even feasible but figured I would ask the people who would know the best about Mississippi mold, Mississippians. Any suggestions on how to evaluate this stuff? If the price is right, is it worth buying a house knowing there is a mold problem? Is there a home inspector the specializes in this kind of thing to give up a no-kidding assessment?

Help please!

[Listener2307]

I'm a retired licensed home inspector.

Mold surveys are usually done by experienced, specially licensed inspectors. I never met one in MS; I'd look in the Memphis area. Maybe Jackson; Google around......

Mold is common. In fact, nearly 50% of the world's biosphere is mold! So mold does exist in your house, and in the woods behind your house, too.

Some molds affect some people, some molds affect no people, and some people are affected by no molds. And sometimes what you see is mildew, not mold. See how complicated it can get?

If I saw mold growing around an AC duct, I would have the AC ductwork cleaned. Google up a ductwork cleaning service, let them do what they do.

Oh, and before I had the ductwork cleaned, I'd remove one of the vents and have a look for myself at the ductwork and inside the AC coils, too! Chances are very great that you will find an AC filter that was not changed regularly, which decreases air flow. The ductwork cleaning service will get it all straightened out for you.

BTW! DO have your home inspected. The inspector will insure that you know exactly what you are buying. Don't ask him to tell you whether you ought to buy it; he'll tell you what everything is and whether it is safe or not.

G'Luck!

[p-squared]

Good advice, thank you.