Mold and mildew are like fungus siblings: they can look a lot alike, and both prefer areas that are warm and moist. Nevertheless, there are important differences between the two, variations that both you and your tenants need to know to retain your Newport News rental properties looking tidy and protected. Through educating yourself on how to spot the difference between toxic mold and mildew, you can effectively prevent a little problem from growing into an expensive nightmare.
There are several various kinds of mold and mildew, most of which are not considered toxic or poisonous. Furthermore, the probabilities are that your tenant doesn’t understand much about mold or mildew, what it looks like, or what to do if they discover it. Mildew, for example, is a common surface fungus that usually looks gray or white. It is typically flat and powdery, usually collecting in bathrooms or other areas that are frequently damp. It can have a bad smell, primarily if left to accumulate for a long time. Mildew can usually be removed quite easily by the tenant with a bleach solution and a scrub brush.
Mold, on the other hand, is oftentimes more invasive and a lot harder to get rid of. It prefers to hide in walls and ceilings, particularly those with high humidity levels or water damage. This can make mold hard to spot. Normally, the first clue that you have a mold problem is the smell. Mold smells musty, a foul odor that is incessant. The other sign of mold is the color. Molds can flourish 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 thrive more. This kind of mold typically happens following colossal 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 there are people who could possibly encounter physical symptoms after exposure to this strain of mold, including respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, skin rashes, infections, and even asthma.
As soon as this type of mold has begun growing, it can be difficult and expensive to get rid of. Tough surfaces can frequently be cleaned 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. The bottom line, when dealing with mold problems, is your first line of defense is your tenant. The best 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. Once the minute issues with water leaks, condensation, or flooding are determined, they should be corrected immediately to lessen the growth of mold. If mold is discovered in your rental home, the property undoubtedly has a significant problem with water or moisture that needs to be addressed. Just cleaning the property may not be sufficient if the environment that stimulated the mold to grow in the first place has not been fixed.
When you hire Real Property Management Dominion, you’ll be taking advantage of our many services, including regular evaluations and comprehensive checks designed to catch and identify problem areas before they become catastrophic. Our team of experts can help you prevent the spread of mold and mildew in your Newport News rental homes, as well as ensure that you are informed of the risks and remedies involved. Are you excited to learn more and want a free assessment? Contact us online or call us directly at 757-395-4274.
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