Mold, as Humboldt as an edible pie! In all seriousness, mold growth in Humboldt County homes is rampant given the high levels of moisture here on the coast. When you couple that with the shade cast from our giant redwoods, it can create a perfect environment for mold growth. I regularly see these issues exacerbated in vacant homes, typically because there is no air flow in those homes to help mitigate the problem. A very common question I get is, 'What is the difference between mildew and mold?'. Mold can be identified by it's black or green color while mildew tends to be white, gray or yellow. Mildew is much easier to get rid of, with a little bleach, where as mold (depending on the severity) could require professional help. To help keep these issues at bay you can use water resistant membranes on the exterior of your home, as well as moisture managing insulation inside your home. When looking for a home in Humboldt County, I would suggest that you expect there to be some sort of mildew or mold growth in every home, to help cap your expectations. If you do find signs of these growths, make sure to consider the cost to correct these issues when considering an offer.
