When you’re in the market for a new home, you may find yourself being blinded by fancy fixtures or upgraded appliances rather than looking more at the nuts and bolts of the home. But if some of the basic things are wrong, not only could the home be a bad financial decision, but living in that space could also adversely affect the health of your family as well.
To help ensure that this doesn’t happen to you, here are three health hazards to look out for when shopping for a new home.
Environmental Contamination
Ideally, anything that was wrong with the home would be either disclosed to you before you make an offer on the home or revealed to you after a home inspection is done. But even with these fail-safes in place, things still can slip through the cracks, especially when it comes to environmental contamination.
According to Investopedia.com, environmental contamination includes anything that may have been present on the property before or after the home was there. It can also include any potential hazards that could come your way if a natural disaster was to take place. Usually, things like toxic waste, radon, lead paint or plumbing, and other similar hazards would fall under the category of environmental contamination. You’ll want to watch out for these things especially when you’re purchasing an older home where standards were different than they are today.
The Presence Of Mold
As you take a look inside the homes that you’re considering buying, one thing you should keep an eye out for is the presence of mold.
Mold can grow almost anywhere in a home, but it is more likely to be present in bathrooms or kitchens. Additionally, Emily Nonko, a contributor to Curbed.com, shares that you should also check for signs of water damage in the basement and other areas of the house, as that could be a sign that mold may be an issue. If mold growth is allowed to happen, you and anyone living in your home can experience a plethora of health problems that, if you don’t yet know there’s mold in the home, can be very hard to diagnose.
Materials Containing Asbestos
For older homes, there’s a good chance that there will be something containing asbestos that was used to make the house. But while the asbestos just sitting there may not be a huge problem, Joe Boylan, a contributor to RealtyBizNews.com, shares that if the materials are disturbed and breathed in, you could have health problems like cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. So make sure you have this checked out before making a home purchase.
If you’re planning to buy a new home soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to increase your chances or purchasing a home that will be good for your health.