Mold and mildew are like fungus siblings: they can look a lot alike, and both prefer areas that are warm and moist. The fact is, there are important differences between the two, distinctions that both you and your tenants need to know to safeguard your Benton-Bryant rental properties through sustaining its safety and cleanliness. By educating yourself on how to spot the difference between toxic mold and mildew, you can adequately prevent a little problem from growing into an expensive nightmare.
There are multiple kinds of mold and mildew, most of which are not considered toxic or poisonous. And, the likelihood is high that your tenant doesn’t know much concerning mold or mildew, what it resembles, or what to do if they find it. Mildew, for example, is a common surface fungus that usually looks gray or white. It is typically flat and powdery, constantly collecting in bathrooms or other areas that are frequently damp. It may produce a bad smell, naturally if left to accumulate for an extended time. Mildew can usually be removed quite easily by the tenant with a bleach solution and a scrub brush.
Mold, on the contrary, is generally 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. Mold can grow in a wide 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 accumulate. This variety of mold typically transpires following enormous water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, or flooding. Even though not everyone will get sick from toxic mold, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) notes that some individuals could probably manifest physical symptoms following 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 to grow, it can be quite difficult and expensive to get rid of. Tough exteriors can generally be scrubbed 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 established and most potent approach to stay on top of the mold is to help your tenant understand what they can do to mitigate mildew and mold growth.
The reality is, 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 detected, they should be corrected immediately to reduce the growth of mold. If mold is spotted in your rental home, the property surely has a significant problem with water or moisture that needs to be addressed. As simple as scouring the property could probably not be sufficient if the factors that enabled the mold to develop in the first place have not been settled.
When you hire Real Property Management Hometown, 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 aid you to prevent the spread of mold and mildew in your Benton-Bryant rental homes, as well as guarantee that you are informed of the risks and remedies involved. Interested in a free assessment? Contact us online or call us directly at 501-701-4702.
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