If you don’t see any mold inside of a house, does that mean it’s all clear? No. Oftentimes, the crawl space is the real culprit for organic growth (especially when there are moisture issues) and that growth can absolutely impact your breathable air in the living space.
Mold flourishes in places with high humidity and moisture. Most people don’t venture into their crawl space very often – if at all – and don’t realize that an issue has developed. Things like downspouts terminating too close to the foundation, an inadequate vapor barrier, improper grading next to the home, and structural cracks (even minor ones) ALL lead to water intrusion and moisture issues in the crawl. Even if a home inspection is not part of your due diligence or negotiations, critical information like this can be discovered – and it’s this kind of detail that can make a big impact on the health of your home AND your family.