There are many distinctive kinds of mold and mildew, most of which are not considered toxic or poisonous. And probabilities are that your tenant doesn’t know enough regarding mold or mildew, what its appearance is, or what to anticipate if they notice it. Mildew, for example, is a common surface fungus that usually looks gray or white. It is typically flat and powdery, regularly collecting in bathrooms or other areas that are frequently damp. It can give off a bad smell, mainly if left to thrive for a lengthy time. Mildew can usually be removed quite easily by the tenant using a bleach solution and a scrub brush.
Mold, in contrast, is usually more invasive and a lot harder to get rid of. It chooses to hide in walls and ceilings, particularly those with high humidity levels or water damage. This can cause mold hard to spot. Normally, the first clue that you have a mold problem is the smell. Mold smells musty, a foul odor that doesn’t wane or disappear. The second hint of mold is the color. Molds can increase in a range of blacks, greens, and even reds, and may look fuzzy or sometimes slimy.
Toxic mold or Stachybotrys chartarum (also called Stachybotrys atra) is a greenish-black mold that often grows on materials like fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, and lint. It requires constant moisture to grow. This sort of mold habitually transpires following significant water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, or flooding. While not everyone will get sick from toxic mold, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) notes that some people may feel physical symptoms after exposure to this strain of mold, including respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, skin rashes, infections, and even asthma.
Once this type of mold has started to propagate, it can be difficult and expensive to get rid of. Hard surfaces can generally be disinfected with a bleach solution, but carpets, wallboard, cabinets, and furniture with mold growing on them must be completely replaced.
This makes catching any potential problems early on extremely important. When it comes to mold problems, your first line of defense is your tenant. The most dependable way to stay on top of the mold is to help your tenant understand what they can do to mitigate mildew and mold growth.
Unfortunately, mold is tricky, and you may not notice the early signs of a problem. This is why every rental home’s routine maintenance should include regular checks for evidence of water damage and mold. If any concerns with water leaks, condensation, or flooding are recognized, they should be corrected immediately to curtail the growth of mold. If mold is found in your rental home, the property has a significant problem with water or moisture that needs to be addressed. Merely scrubbing the property may not be sufficient if the conditions that stimulated the mold to grow in the first place have not been addressed.
When you appoint Real Property Management Legend, you’ll be gaining many of our services, including regular evaluations and comprehensive checks designed to catch and identify problem areas before they become catastrophic. Our team of specialists can help you prevent the spread of mold and mildew in your The Colony rental homes, as well as ensure that you are informed of the risks and remedies involved. Interested in a free assessment? Contact us online or call us directly at 214-235-2427.