Building a New Home? Watch Out for Mold

Here in New Jersey new home construction seems to be going on constantly. More permits for new home construction were issued in 2023 than in 2022 and it is reasonable to believe that this trend will continue for the next few years. Are you one of the lucky ones who is building a new home? Building a home can be a great opportunity to get exactly what you want when it comes the finishes, but make sure you get exactly what you want when it comes behind the scene items as well.

The term “dry-in phase” is used in the construction industry to define the point in the construction process where all the rough exterior work has been finished. This means your doors, windows, roofing shingles, and a weather-resistant barrier have all been installed. At this point the “elements” can be kept out and the builder can progress to roughing in the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical components. After that the fun really starts when you get to choose the finishes like the carpeting, paint colors, and cabinets for your home.

But before you make any interior design choices you need to think about the health and safety of your new home. Although the building may be protected from the elements now, that was not always the case. Inevitably there was rain during the first phase of construction and that means there can be excess moisture in your home.  Excess moisture can lead to mold growth and that can create an unhealthy living environment when you move into your brand new home.

Preventing mold growth is something that should be addressed long before you bring your toothbrush into your brand new place. Once the dry-in phase is complete, it is a good idea to contact a Mold Solutions by Cowleys. There are a lot of building materials that are highly susceptible to mold.  Wood that comprises the framing and sub floor can harbor mold, and drywall is even more vulnerable because it is made of soft organic matter.

The first thing Mold Solutions by Cowleys will do is inspect the building to see if mold is already a problem. Did you know that mold can grow on drywall only 72 hours after first getting wet? If there is mold, we will be able to treat it with a mold polymer technology right where it is and there will be no need to remove the building material. This saves time and money, which is so important when it comes to construction.

If there is no mold present it is a good idea to do a pretreatment on mold susceptible building materials. This pretreatment significantly impedes mold growth. Addressing mold issues even before you know you have one, may seem extraneous, but in reality, preventing mold growth now can prevent expensive damage in the long run. Most importantly, preventing mold growth can make the environment in your new home healthier for you and your family.