Mold and mildew are like fungus siblings: they can look a lot alike, and both prefer areas that are warm and moist. Be informed though there are important differences between the two, features that both you and your tenants need to know to have your McDonough rental properties’ sanitation and safety properly maintained. By means of educating yourself on the ways to spot the difference between toxic mold and mildew, you can ultimately prevent a little problem from growing into an expensive nightmare.
There are a lot of various kinds of mold and mildew, most of which are not considered toxic or poisonous. And expectations are that your tenant doesn’t understand much concerning mold or mildew, what its appearance is, or what to expect if they see it. Mildew, for example, is a common surface fungus that usually looks gray or white. It is typically flat and powdery, always collecting in bathrooms or other areas that are frequently damp. It can exude a bad smell, mainly if left to thrive for a prolonged time. Mildew can usually be removed quite easily by the tenant with a bleach solution and a scrub brush.
In comparison, mold is generally more invasive and a lot harder to get rid of. It likes to hide in walls and ceilings, mostly those with high humidity levels or water damage. This can make mold hard to spot. Characteristically, the first clue that you have a mold problem is the smell. Mold smells musty, a foul odor that doesn’t lessen or disappear. The succeeding warning of mold is the color. Molds can grow 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 classification of mold usually is the result of massive 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 display physical symptoms following exposure to this strain of mold, including respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, skin rashes, infections, and even asthma.
The second this type of mold has begun to exhibit indications of increasing, it can be difficult and expensive to get rid of. Tough surfaces can normally be rinsed with a bleach solution, except 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 dealing with mold problems, your first line of defense is your tenant. The most secure way to stay ahead of the mold is to help your tenant understand what they can do to mitigate mildew and mold growth.
The fact is, mold is tricky, and you may not notice the early signs of a crisis. This is why every rental home’s routine maintenance should include regular checks for evidence of water damage and mold. If any struggles with water leaks, condensation, or flooding are recognized, they should be corrected immediately to decrease the growth of mold. If mold is discovered in your rental home, the property apparently has a significant problem with water or moisture that needs to be addressed. Solely washing the property may not be enough if the events that caused the mold to increase in the first place have not been improved.
When you hire Real Property Management Anchor, 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 McDonough 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 678-467-3039.
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