This week we would like to share an article from our partners at The Scout Guide with inspiration for six must-haves for today’s homebuyers.

Whether you’re on the hunt for a new abode or considering selling soon, we checked in with three Scouted real estate experts in the luxury market to discover 2024’s most important home trends. To find a Scouted realtor in your area, search The Scout Guide Directory.

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The bad news is that mold is an opportunistic foe. The good news is that there are many ways to deny it an opportunity to take root in your home. Part Two of our report.

Do you really know what’s lurking in the corners and crevices of your home? Last week we looked at the causes of the mold in living environments and some basic ways to identify mold and prevent it from spreading. This week we spoke with Paul Ramsey, Principal and Environmental Specialist with RTS Environmental Services, who has conducted over 25,000 mold inspections throughout the DC-region and he offers his hard-won wisdom to educate consumers and help demystify the irritants hidden within our homes. 

Ramsey focuses on “environmental hygiene” which he describes as “the big picture” of a property’s overall exposure to unhealthy variables. It’s not just about keeping a home clean and disinfected, it’s a “systems approach” to identifying and eradicating mold, mildew and other contaminants caused or exacerbated by moisture. 

“Climate change is having an impact on our buildings,” Ramsey said, citing weather trends that are causing higher rainfall density (the amount of rain that falls during a specified period of time) and higher humidity. Building envelopes – which includes the walls, windows, roof, and foundation, that form the primary thermal barrier between the interior and exterior environments – are being challenged in part by excessive rainfall and aging buildings ill-equipped to manage the incoming moisture.

Fighting mold, naturally, starts with preventing microbial growth in the first place as it only takes 60% relative humidity to grow a very common mold called Penicillium/Aspergillus. “Without moisture or substrates (the surface on which an organism lives), mold can’t grow,” Ramsey observed, so it’s important to know the causes of unwanted moisture and how to prevent it.

Here are the top areas Ramsey recommends immediate inspection and regular maintenance to ensure proper environmental hygiene and allow all residents to live under a healthy – and dry! – roof. 

Outdoors – Start your environmental hygiene inspection with a walk around the property to check for areas of cracks or breaks in the building envelope, areas of pooling water, and other signs of water intrusion. It’s important to keep gutters and downspouts as clear and functional as possible, Ramsey advises. This means regular cleanouts to remove any clogs and ensure that water is funneled as far away from the building envelope as possible with properly placed downspouts, piping, waterproof membranes, and grading. 

Crawlspaces – Continuing the outer inspection, Ramsey cites this area as the “#1 problem with air quality,” explaining that crawl spaces are often humid, passively vented, hard to access, and can allow air to enter and condensate on insulation or other surfaces. Because these areas are difficult to access, it’s recommended to use a professional who will have specific knowledge and tools for identifying mold and where it has taken hold. 

Basements – Water seeks the lowest level so it’s not uncommon that basements can accumulate extra moisture, but that’s just one factor that makes basements a harbor for mold. As hot air rises and cooler air drops, moisture can develop and attach to surfaces and particulates. Additionally, basement laundry rooms produce warm, moist air and cotton dust that can condense and colonize mold and enter nearby HVAC systems, spreading contaminants throughout the home. 

Attics – Beware! The upper echelon of a home can harbor some of the worst contaminants and Ramsey advises to ALWAYS wear a mask when inspecting the attic area. A main contributor to mold and moisture problems is the presence of flex ducting, first used in the 1980s to extend HVAC (heating, venting & air conditioning) systems into attic spaces. They look and can be manipulated like a Slinky toy but their flexible construction can make them prone to damage and deterioration. Poorly sealed flex duct ventilation can lead to higher indoor humidity levels, resulting in mold or mildew buildup if left unchecked. Flex ducting isn’t usually replaced and cleaning is difficult, allowing dust and condensation to accumulate over time and spread throughout the HVAC system to other parts of the home. 

Dehumidifiers – Ramsey calls this a “must-have appliance” and they can be as simple as a portable device for around $350 that can be moved around a home or as encompassing as a whole-home humidifier built into the HVAC system for $1,000-$3,000. Maintain a humidity level around 50% make sure that no matter which dehumidifier is used, any reservoir water collected is promptly removed manually or with a pump. 

Monitoring these areas will go a long way to preventing water intrusion and the development of mold, but it’s also important to watch for residents’ signs of reactions to mold. “The biggest clue that you may have a mold issue is if multiple family members are affected at the same time,” Ramsey said. Allergic reactions to molds are the most common health effects in people, including symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. People without allergies but who are exposed to mold may experience symptoms, including eye irritation, sore throat, congestion, skin rash, and headaches.

As noted in the first part of our report, mold is a naturally occurring allergan and often moves through our environments without impact. But when mold enters living environments and is allowed to grow unchecked, it can affect the health of a home and those who dwell in it. It’s education and proper maintenance that Ramsey says removes the fear about mold and encourages the best environmental hygiene. 

To learn more about preventing mold in your home, check out the EPA’s book A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home. Our McEnearney Associates | Middleburg Real Estate | Atoka Properties Realtors® are trusted advisors who can connect clients with vendors like RTS Environmental Services who can address mold issues and ensure a property is dry, safe, and healthy for all.

Take a look at our website for all of our listings available throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

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Photo courtesy of Lorla Studio

Entertain Like a Designer This Summer

Summertime is right around the corner, so now is the perfect time to brush up on those outdoor entertaining skills. Here to help are three area designers, who weigh in with useful hosting tips and creative solutions that will serve you well all season long. 

Photo courtesy of Laura Hur, Lorla Studio

Work with What You Have, and Keep it Simple

Don’t stress if your al fresco entertaining space is on the smaller side. “You don’t need a large dining table and space to entertain outside, and the more you take advantage of what you have the better,” says Laura Hur, the founder of Lorla Studio in Kensington. There’s no need to go overly formal when hosting guests outdoors, either, she adds. “You can entertain with easy finger foods, eliminating the need for a dining table and making clean-up a breeze.” 

Bring the Inside Out

Draw inspiration from your indoor space when setting the scene for your outdoor gathering. “Bring the inside out: think pillows, lighting, planters, and linen napkins, and have fun with all of the great melamine plates and glasses that are on the market today,” Hur says.

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Photos courtesy of Sara Raak, SKG Designs

Sara Raak, the founder of SKG Designs in Alexandria, expresses similar views. “I always consider our outdoor entertaining spaces an extension of our home,” she says. “I set the table as I would indoors with the only difference being melamine plates decorated in bright colors or patterns, instead of breakable plates, disposable flatware in golds or silvers that could easily pass for the real thing, plastic reusable glasses, and seasonal centerpieces featuring garden flowers and greens.” 

Prioritize Comfort

Ensure that your friends have plenty of room to spread out and lounge outdoors. “Comfort is key for any summer gathering, so I create seating areas for lounging, eating, and conversations with the grill master,” Raak says. She recommends taking to Facebook Marketplace, neighborhood forums, and Buy Nothing Facebook pages in search of inexpensive (or even free!) furnishings. 

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Photos courtesy of Sallie Lord, Grey Hunt Interiors

Offer Umbrellas

“When entertaining in the summer, it’s always nice to give your guests the pleasure of basking in the sun or lounging in the shade,” says Sallie Lord, the founder of Grey Hunt Interiors in Chantilly. A tent or umbrella is always a great option, she notes. 

Don’t Forget Citronella Candles

No one wants to be bitten by bugs while enjoying a meal outside, and that’s where citronella candles come into play. “I place citronella candles around all the seating areas,” Raak says. “They have come a long way and can be found with beautiful designs.”

Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelance writer, originally from Bethesda, MD. She contributes to a number of national design and lifestyle publications like Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, and more. Sarah also works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots. Find more shelfies on her Instagram page, @sarahlyon9 

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Mold is a common occurrence in homes but it doesn’t have to strike fear in residents. Find out when mold means you’ve got trouble brewing. Part One of a Two-Part report. Click here to read Part 2.

It’s been a rainy spring in the DC-Metro area, with both March and April coming in warmer and wetter than in previous years. According to The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang, the region got 4.89 inches of rain in March which was 1.39 inches above normal and the most since 1998. April was a drier month but already in May, we are in a precipitation surplus, running about 5 inches wetter than last year up to this point.

All of this moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for mold, which is a fungus and sometimes referred to as mildew. Mold forms and spreads on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter, resulting in many different mold species that come in many different colors and are found both indoors and outdoors in all climates, during all seasons of the year.

Problems arise when mold is transported into homes and living spaces through the air or water that seeps or leaks into properties. A 2022 report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that around 47% of all homes in the U.S. have some mold or dampness. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), mold will grow where there is moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been a flood. Mold grows on paper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood and can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery. 

Mold produces allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins), and affects people and pets in different ways. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common and can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people who are allergic to mold, and exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs – even for people who aren’t affected by allergies. 

Because moisture has many places it can accumulate within a building, here are some basic tips from the CDC to limit how mold from spreading:

• Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can – no higher than 50% – all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your home’s humidity at a home improvement store. Humidity levels change over the course of a day so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
• Be sure the air in your home flows freely. Use exhaust fans that vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
• Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
• Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after a flood.
• Add mold inhibitors (such as Kilz) to paints before painting. 
• Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
• Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Consider non-fabric alternatives to carpeting in places like bathrooms or basements that may have excessive moisture.

If you are a seller or landlord, know that leaks and signs of mold – both active and historic – can be a deal breaker for many people and may be a disclosure issue for the owner (and their real estate agent). It’s critical to fix any known leaks and take preventative measures to ensure water and moisture is eliminated from areas where it shouldn’t be. For landlords, most leases state that if there is visible evidence of mold in the premises, a new tenant has the option to not rent the property and an existing tenant may terminate their existing lease. If a tenant decides to remain in the property, the landlord must remediate the mold condition immediately (usually within no more than five days) and provide a report to the tenant that the mold has been removed. Mold remediation can cost about $2.50 per square foot, or about $5,000 for a 2,000-sq.ft. property.

If you are purchasing a property, a home inspection can help identify areas of moisture concern. Your home inspector can employ a moisture-reader to check common areas for water to accumulate, while a more comprehensive DMAT scoring system – Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool – can be used to evaluate larger buildings like schools, offices, and multiple-dwelling units. Keep in mind that not all insurance policies will cover mold remediation so check your policy to see what type of coverage is included. 

The best way to combat mold is to prevent moisture from accumulating in the first place and creating a home that is environmentally hygienic, a topic we will cover more extensively in our article next week with Paul Ramsey of RTS Environmental Services, Inc., a local inspector well-versed in the challenges of addressing mold, asbestos, radon, and other environmental contaminants.

To learn more about preventing mold in your home, check out the EPA’s book A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home. Our McEnearney Associates | Middleburg Real Estate | Atoka Properties Realtors® are trusted advisors who can connect clients with vendors who can address mold issues and ensure a property is dry, safe, and healthy for all.

Take a look at our website for all of our listings available throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

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