It’s Not Just Mold: Every Homebuyer Should Be Checking for These 3 Other Hazards Before Buying

While mold often ranks high on a homebuyer's radar due to its often-visible growth and well-publicized health risks, it's far from the only concealed danger that could be lurking within a property.

Beyond the damp, musty presence of mold, buyers should ask about several other pervasive and potentially dangerous hazards during the home inspection process. These include the silent but serious threats of lead; the invisible, odorless gas known as radon; and the equally dangerous asbestos, often found in building materials from decades past.

Understanding how to accurately identify these hidden hazards is critical, as each presents unique challenges in detection and remediation. And as a buyer, it's also important to know what recourse you have if one of these hazards is found during the inspection.

Lead

Lead contamination can occur through paint, water pipes, or soil surrounding the home.

Any home built before 1978, the year lead-based paint was prohibited, could be at increased risk. Lead exposure can lead to severe health issues, especially in children. These include delays in development and damage to the nervous system. In adults, exposure can also result in headaches, abdominal pain, and anemia.

"Lead dust, not just paint chips, poses the biggest threat because it’s easily inhaled or ingested," says environmental testing expert Robert Weitz, founder of RTK Environmental Group.

Your home inspector may test for lead paint, but you should confirm that service is included. If it's not, you can hire a certified lead inspector for $300 to $700 on average.

If lead is found in or around the property, it's recommended that a lead abatement expert be hired to inspect the issue and resolve the problem.

"Lead cannot be removed by cleaning alone," says Weitz. "Professional abatement or encapsulation is needed to permanently and safely eliminate exposure."

According to HomeGuide, professional lead-based paint removal costs around $6 to $17 per square foot.

"With proper testing and professional abatement, the risks can be managed effectively," says Weitz.

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas you can’t see or smell. It forms when uranium in the soil breaks down and can seep into homes through cracks or openings in the foundation, where it may become trapped and build up.

"Prior to buying a house, every homebuyer should get a radon test," says Insoo Park, CEO and founder of Ecosense, a provider of radon-detecting and monitoring solutions. "Radon's biggest concern is that long-term exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers."

Costs for a professional radon test can range from $75 to $250, but if you're buying a home, it should be included in your home inspection. 

If elevated radon levels are detected, it's definitely not something that should be taken lightly.

"You should immediately contact a certified radon mitigation professional, who will then assess the situation and recommend an appropriate mitigation system," says Park. "A mitigation system can reduce radon levels by up to 99%, which will bring the home to safe conditions."

Professionals typically install active depressurization systems that safely vent the gas outdoors, according to Park. "Sealing cracks in the foundation is also an important complementary step," he says.

The cost varies depending on the size of your home, but typically runs less than $4,000.

"What’s essential is to follow up with continuous or regular radon monitoring, because conditions can change over time," warns Park. "Technology today makes it easy to track radon levels in real time from your smartphone."

Asbestos

Asbestos fibers are microscopic and can cause serious illnesses when inhaled, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. "These diseases often develop years after exposure," says Weitz.

Before 1978, when it was banned in some U.S. products, asbestos was widely used in insulation, tiles, siding, and other materials.

While asbestos testing was once a standard part of home inspections, it’s typically not included today. To confirm whether asbestos is present, you’ll need a special asbestos inspector.

The initial inspection, report, and lab fees cost $400 to $800 for an average 1,500-square-foot house, according to the White Lung Association.

If asbestos is found, you should contact an environmental testing firm to assess the situation. "If the asbestos is intact and undamaged, it may be safer to leave it in place and monitor it," says Weitz. "If it’s damaged or deteriorating, professional removal or encapsulation is required."

Only licensed asbestos abatement professionals should remove or seal asbestos materials, and it costs anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the house.

It's certainly not cheap, but it's money well spent.

"As long as asbestos is properly managed or remediated by professionals, the home can still be a safe investment," says Weitz.

What homebuyers should do

If your dream home has any of these hidden hazards, what's the best way to proceed?

First, check to see if the seller is willing to fix the issue or cover the costs.

"You are in the position to ask for concessions, and should absolutely address the fact that one or more of these issues were found with the seller," says Cara Ameer, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker who is licensed in Florida and California. "Just keep in mind that repair costs can exceed any concessions offered, since the issue may be more extensive than what an inspection or assessment reveals." 

A pre-listing inspection is a smart move for sellers to identify and possibly fix issues upfront.

"That way, they can either handle the repairs, offer clear disclosures, or be ready to negotiate if buyers push back," says real estate agent and investor Ron Myers of Ron Buys Florida Homes. "It helps prevent surprises that can derail a deal later on."

When a home is sold “as is,” it usually means the buyer takes on any problems that come with it. Sellers still have to disclose known hazards—like lead paint in homes built before 1978, and in some states, asbestos or radon if they know about them, according to attorney James Roswold.

After you buy an “as-is” home—whether you’ve been informed of hazards or done your own testing—any repair or remediation costs are generally on you.

However, you can still ask for a price reduction before you close the deal.

"The 'as-is' seller may not budge, especially if they already priced the home lower to reflect the condition," explains Myers. "But either way, it’s worth the conversation—especially when it comes to health hazards."

If you decide to buy a home with potential asbestos, radon, or lead issues, know what you're walking into.

"Understand what it’ll cost to remediate, and lean on your agent or real estate attorney to make sure you’re protected," says Myers. "Sometimes, walking away is the smartest move. But if the numbers work out, you can still end up with a great deal."