Mold and mildew are like fungus siblings: they can look a lot alike, and both prefer areas that are warm and moist. Be aware of the important differences between the two, these are the things that both you and your tenants need to know to ensure that your Houston rental properties are clean and well-defended. Through educating yourself on how to spot the difference between toxic mold and mildew, you can ensure that you’ll be able to prevent a little problem from growing into an expensive nightmare.
There are multiple types of kinds of mold and mildew, most of which are not considered toxic or poisonous. And perhaps your tenant doesn’t encounter much about mold or mildew, what it resembles like, or what to do if they recognize it. Mildew, for example, is a common surface fungus that usually looks gray or white. It is consistently flat and powdery, usually collecting in bathrooms or other areas that are frequently damp. It may carry a bad smell, especially if permitted to flourish for a long time. Mildew can usually be removed quite easily by the tenant utilizing a bleach solution and a scrub brush.
Mold, nonetheless, is commonly more invasive and a lot harder to get rid of. It delights hiding in walls and ceilings, regularly those with high humidity levels or water damage. This can make mold hard to spot. Commonly, the first clue that you have a mold problem is the smell. Mold smells musty, a foul odor that doesn’t diminish. The second benchmark of mold is the color. Molds can grow in an array 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 sprout. This classification of mold commonly evolves because of notable water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, or flooding. Although not everyone will get sick from toxic mold, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) notes that a few people may come across physical manifestations when they have exposure to this strain of mold, encompassing respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, skin rashes, infections, and even asthma.
As soon as this type of mold has taken root, it will be difficult and expensive to get rid of. Hard façades can be scoured with a bleach solution, but carpets, wallboard, cabinets, and furniture with mold growing on them must be completely replaced.
This creates catching any potential problems early on extremely important. When it comes to mold problems, your first line of defense is your tenant. The greatest way to conquer the mold is to help your tenant understand what they can do to mitigate mildew and mold growth.
Regretfully, mold is tricky and you may not notice the early signs of problems. This is why every rental home’s routine maintenance should include regular checks for evidence of water damage and mold. If any matters with water leaks, condensation, or flooding are spotted, they should be corrected immediately to downsize the growth of mold. If mold is found in your rental home, the property certainly has a significant problem with water or moisture that needs to be addressed. Directly sanitizing the property may not be enough if the circumstances that created the mold to grow have not been changed.
When you hire Real Property Management Avitus, 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 group of professionals can help you prevent the spread of mold and mildew within your Houston rental homes, and also ascertain that you are informed of the risks and remedies involved. Interested in a free assessment? Contact us online or call us at 281-570-6357.
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