A Texas mom thought she was moving into her family’s dream home — instead, the brand-new $500,000 house made them seriously ill.

Just weeks after settling into their newly built home in San Marcos in 2021, Brittney Gaskin, along with her husband, two kids, and three dogs, began suffering from health issues that came without explanation.

‘My son, who was only nine at the time, confided that he no longer wanted to live,’ Gaskin shared with the Daily Mail. ‘We were all dealing with persistent illnesses. I ended up in the hospital several times, and it was a bleak situation.’

One of her pets was eventually put down after developing neurological problems.

What Gaskin didn’t yet know was that her home was brimming with toxic mold — a hidden health threat that experts say is alarmingly common.

According to the real estate website Ruby Home, roughly 47 percent of homes in America face issues related to dampness or mold. Mold can start to develop merely 24 to 48 hours post water exposure, often hidden behind walls or within heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Despite raising her concerns to the builder — who initially dismissed her complaints — Gaskin persisted. ‘No one believed me. I felt like I was dying,’ she said. 

It wasn’t until she paid out-of-pocket to hire one of the top mold inspectors in Texas that her suspicions were confirmed. 

The inspection revealed a staggering 2 million mold spores in the home. For reference, experts warn that indoor air mold counts should stay below 500 spores per cubic meter. 

Brittney Gaskin, 38, was a stay-at-home mom until recently becoming an apartment locator 

Gaskin and her family bought their dream home (pictured) in 2021 amidst the COVID housing boom 

Brittney Galvin is pictured after moving into her mold-infested home, which is when she began to suffer health problems 

‘I broke down crying. It was the first time someone validated what I’d been experiencing for months,’ she said.  

Gaskin, a former stay-at-home mum now working as an apartment locator and mold-advocate influencer, explained how her family had bought the new-build home in a rush during the COVID housing boom. 

The property was already completed, and she hadn’t been involved in the construction process.

The CDC warns that exposure to mold can cause or worsen respiratory issues, especially in children, the elderly, and those with existing conditions like asthma or allergies. 

Black mold has also been linked to neurological problems and immune suppression.

One of their dogs eventually had to be put down after developing neurological symptoms. ‘She declined fast — she became dizzy, unstable, and sneezed constantly. It was heartbreaking,’ Gaskin added.

Just months after moving into the house, Galvin started experiencing health issues (including the rash pictured) 

Galvin ultimately discovered that her home was badly infected with mold and that it had been making her and her family sick 

An X-ray of Galvin’s lungs show how the mold damaged her respiratory system 

The most disturbing part of Gaskin’s story is that the mold was not caused by age, neglect, or poor maintenance. It was allegedly embedded in the design and construction of the brand-new home. 

After revisiting the inspection reports, Gaskin discovered that the house lacked a vapor barrier wrap — a basic building standard meant to prevent moisture from penetrating the walls. 

‘That meant it wasn’t up to code and was technically considered a rebuild. The mold wasn’t just in one place — it was systemic,’ she said. 

She later learned the HVAC system had also been improperly installed. Oversized for the home, it created condensation and high humidity — ideal conditions for mold to flourish. Holes in the ductwork pulled in air from the moldy attic and circulated it throughout the house.  

The financial toll has been just as crushing as the physical and emotional one. Gaskin estimates her family has lost over $300,000 — from temporary housing, inspections, failed remediation efforts, and the loss of virtually all of their belongings.

They had to leave everything behind — furniture, clothes, toys. ‘We didn’t want to risk mold spores lingering on anything,’ Gaskin said. 

Gaskin’s family moved out just three months ago, and the change has been dramatic, everyone is finally improving — her kids are healthier, and she is breathing better. 

Despite being in litigation with the builder for over a year, Gaskin is still paying the mortgage on the contaminated home — while also covering the cost of a new property. Combined, she was spending nearly $7,000 a month at one point.

Galvin’s husband (pictured here) also got sick from living in the home

Galvin’s children became sick too and were even forced to sleep outside in order to avoid the mold 

‘I had to stop paying the mortgage. It’s unsustainable. I’m hoping we settle before foreclosure becomes a reality.’

Mold-related lawsuits have been on the rise across the US, with payouts being as high as $48 million in severe cases. 

Texas is one of several states seeing a spike in cases involving new home construction defects. 

Gaskin is not alone. She says multiple neighbors in her subdivision — built by the same company — have experienced similar issues, including structural failures, mold, and HVAC problems. 

‘One of my neighbors is suing too — her second floor is sinking,’ she said. ‘Another had the same HVAC mold issue. And online, I’ve connected with dozens more across Texas with the same builder.’ 

Now, Galvin has taken her experience public, sharing her story on TikTok and Instagram to warn others. 

Her videos have garnered thousands of views, drawing in messages from people around the world with eerily similar experiences. 

‘I’ve become a mold advocate,’ she said. I want people to know this can happen to anyone, even in a brand-new house.’ 

Galvin got her home inspected multiple times, and it wasn’t until the inspectors were unaffiliated with the building company that the true severity of the situation was uncovered

Galvin’s children became so unwell that they missed a lot of school

Galvin’s advice to other homeowners: ‘If you’re buying a new home, be part of the build process.

‘Watch everything. Have multiple inspections — independent ones. After you move in, bring in your own HVAC expert to ensure everything is installed correctly.’

Galvin said that with her new home, she watched the build from start to finish and had inspectors double-check everything. 

‘Don’t take the builder’s word as gospel — do your own research.’