Get rid of mildew before selling

18 Nov 2010

 

 

Any sign of mildew in a house that is on the market will invariably put potential buyers off or will lead to significantly lower offers for the property claims Lanice Steward managing director of Anne Porter Knight Frank.

“Homeowners often have no idea how off-putting an untidy or a not-too-clean house is for potential buyers who are seeing it for the first time,” she says. “And any signs of damp or mildew will almost always make the buyers run for the hills,” she warns.

Mildew is mostly caused by moisture that condenses on the ceilings and around the fixtures in areas such as a bathroom or kitchen and is usually because there is not enough air circulating in the room. The problem can be exacerbated by damp or wet clothing that is allowed to accumulate in the room in question.

Coastal properties are more susceptible to mildew because of the humidity in those regions. Mildew will usually be visible on the ceilings, in showers or around the edges of the bath or basin. It can cause porous materials to decay, particularly ceiling boards or wood panelling.

Mildew has a distinctive and unpleasant odour that can be difficult to get rid of  (particularly inside cupboards or in wood panelling) even when the mildew has been properly treated and removed.

Astringent materials such as ammonia, diluted hydrochloric acid or even Jeyes Fluid can be used to treat mildew. Any treatment should be followed-up with the application of a water repellent such a car polish, two-stroke oil (on wooden surfaces) or a wax polish.

Applying vinegar or lemon juice to any tiled areas that are exposed to damp will help to prevent mildew from developing. Because the kitchens and bathrooms are particularly susceptible to the accumulation of mildew, it’s essential to make sure that these rooms are properly and thoroughly aired each day.

“The more untidy a home is when first visited the more competitive the bid that the seller is likely to get from the buyer,” warns Steward.

“A neat, well-kept home creates the sort of impression that will improve the offer because nobody wants to take over a home that has been neglected and is filthy,” she says.