Mold and mildew are like fungus siblings: they can look a lot alike, and both prefer areas that are warm and moist. The truth is, there are important differences between the two, variations that both you and your tenants need to know to protect your Shepherd Park rental properties by maintaining its safety and sanitation. By educating yourself on how to spot the difference between toxic mold and mildew, you can properly prevent a little problem from growing into an expensive nightmare.
There exist various kinds of mold and mildew, most of which are not considered toxic or poisonous. Plus, the possibilities are that your tenant doesn’t understand enough regarding mold or mildew, what it appears 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, oftentimes collecting in bathrooms or other areas that are frequently damp. It may produce a bad smell, primarily if left to accumulate for a lengthy 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 usually 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. Ordinarily, the first clue that you have a mold problem is the smell. Mold smells musty, a foul odor that doesn’t diminish or leave. The second indication of mold is the color. Molds can progress 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 accumulate. This kind of mold typically transpires following enormous water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, or flooding. Whereas not everyone will get sick from toxic mold, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) notes that some individuals could possibly exhibit 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 started showing, it can be quite difficult and expensive to get rid of. Stubborn surfaces can normally be washed 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 proven and most effective strategy to stay on top of the mold is to help your tenant understand what they can do to mitigate mildew and mold growth.
The truth 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 complications with water leaks, condensation, or flooding are determined, they should be corrected immediately to shorten the growth of mold. If mold is spotted in your rental home, the property undoubtedly has a significant problem with water or moisture that needs to be addressed. Simply scrubbing the property could possibly not be adequate if the circumstances that allowed the mold to grow in the first place have not been fixed.
When you hire Real Property Management Washington DC, 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 specialists can help you prevent the spread of mold and mildew in your Shepherd Park 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 202-813-9993.
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