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Toxic Mold vs Mildew: What’s Lurking in YOUR Bathroom?

Scrubbing a Wall in a Everett Rental PropertyMold and mildew are like fungus siblings: they can look a lot alike, and both prefer areas that are warm and moist. The reality is, there are important differences between the two, details that both you and your tenants need to know to assure that your Everett rental properties are kept hygienic and safe. Through educating yourself on how to spot the difference between toxic mold and mildew, you can sufficiently prevent a little problem from growing into an expensive nightmare.

There are numerous kinds of mold and mildew, most of which are not considered toxic or poisonous. Moreover, the likelihood that your tenant doesn’t understand enough concerning mold or mildew is high. They may not know what it resembles, nor what to do if they notice 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 may give off a bad smell, especially if left to gather for a lengthened time. Mildew can usually be removed quite easily by the tenant with a bleach solution and a scrub brush.

Mold, on the contrary, is commonly more invasive and a lot harder to get rid of. It prefers to hide in walls and ceilings, especially those with high humidity levels or water damage. This can make mold hard to spot. Typically, 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 other warning of mold is the color. Molds can increase 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 expand. This species of mold typically transpires following huge 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 people could seemingly manifest physical symptoms following exposure to this strain of mold, including respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, skin rashes, infections, and even asthma.

The moment this type of mold has started to develop, it can be quite difficult and expensive to get rid of. Tough surfaces can usually be cleaned with a bleach solution, although 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 most practical 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 fact is, mold is tricky, and you may not notice the early signs of a dilemma. 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 identified, they should be corrected immediately to reduce the growth of mold. If mold is detected in your rental home, the property absolutely has a significant problem with water or moisture that needs to be addressed. Simply scrubbing the property could probably not be sufficient if the determinants that allowed the mold to develop in the first place have not been fixed.

When you hire Real Property Management Commonwealth, 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 Everett 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  617-299-2342.

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