Mold and mildew are like fungus siblings: they can look a lot alike, and both prefer areas that are warm and moist. There will always be important differences between the two, dissimilarities that both you and your tenants need to know to make sure that you keep your Idaho Falls rental properties sterilized and unharmed. When you’re educating yourself on how to spot the difference between toxic mold and mildew, you can most likely prevent a little problem from growing into an expensive nightmare.
There are innumerable distinctive kinds of mold and mildew, most of which are not considered toxic or poisonous. And it’s most probable that your tenant has no clue about mold or mildew, what it looks like, or what’s the next step if they find it. Mildew, for example, is a common surface fungus that usually looks gray or white. It is virtually flat and powdery, typically collecting in bathrooms or other areas that are frequently damp. It can acquire a bad smell, especially if you let it build up for a long time. Mildew can usually be removed quite easily by the tenant employing a bleach solution and a scrub brush.
Mold, by contrast, is practically more invasive and a lot harder to get rid of. It loves to hide in walls and ceilings, deliberately those with high humidity levels or water damage. This makes mold hard to spot. Generally, the first clue that you will notice that there is a mold problem is the smell. Mold smells musty, a foul odor that doesn’t quite go away. The second criteria of mold is the color. Molds can grow in a variety 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 multiply. This class of mold naturally evolves after sizable water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, or flooding. Though not everyone will get sick from toxic mold, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) notes that various people may undergo physical disorders after exposure to this strain of mold, alongside respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, skin rashes, infections, and even asthma.
Once this type of mold has grown, it can be difficult and expensive to get rid of. Hard exteriors can normally be cleaned with a bleach solution, however, carpets, wallboard, cabinets, and furniture with mold growing on them must be completely replaced.
This means catching any potential problems early on extremely important. As far as mold problems are a concern, your first line of defense is your tenant. The best way to remain in control 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. If any problems with water leaks, condensation, or flooding are noticed, they should be corrected immediately to keep down the growth of mold. If mold is discovered in your rental home, the property has a significant problem with water or moisture that needs to be addressed. Modestly tidying up the property may not be substantial enough if the circumstances that stirred the mold to advance have not been amended.
When you hire Real Property Management Southeast Idaho, 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 pros can assist you to prevent the spread of mold and mildew in your Idaho Falls rental homes, and also arrange that you are informed of the risks and remedies involved. Keen for a free assessment? Contact us online or call us directly at 208-522-2400.
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