When it comes to the general care of a property, the owners know that spotting problems before they become big and fixing them quickly are solid strategies to save money. Repair all the defects you spot right away. Ignoring a maintenance or repair problem can bring about more costly repairs in the future. It also has the potential to endanger you or your residents.
One typical issue that can often be unforeseen for residents and owners is the presence of mold on the property. Because it begins slowly and spreads gradually, often inside walls or hidden within other structures, certain molds can seemingly go from invisible to a severe health hazard in a snap of a finger. When not dealt with, mold could do a lot of damage to buildings.
Molds come in various types, and one of the hazardous varieties is Black Mold or Stachybotrys atra. Characterized by a slimy greenish-black or gray appearance, toxic mold thrives in damp environments within homes. Common areas where it can develop include underneath floors after a flood, ceilings following a leak, and spaces with leaky roofs, windows, or pipes. Black Mold emits an unpleasant musty odor, and its presence in your property can significantly compromise safety due to potential health concerns for residents.
It’s crucial to be aware that Stachybotrys molds aren’t always black, indicating that dangerous molds can manifest in various colors. In simpler terms, merely relying on visual inspection cannot distinguish between toxic and harmless mold. This emphasizes the importance of addressing mold issues promptly and employing professional assessment methods to accurately identify and mitigate any potential health risks associated with mold growth in your property.
While mold is typically prevalent in damp indoor environments, Stachybotrys is less common than other mold species, including Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn’t have data regarding how often Stachybotrys molds are found in buildings. Still, it’s less regular than ostentatious media reports would prefer to say.
Health Hazards
Toxic mold, when it shows up, is a severe health concern. The CDC reports showing a connection between mold in the property and severe health effects, including respiratory problems (coughing or wheezing, throat irritation, nasal stuffiness), eye irritation, or skin irritation. Individuals with allergies, asthma, or lung disease could be even more severely affected, resulting in severe infections in the lungs or other life-threatening issues.
Property Damage
Because of the danger posed by toxic mold, taking hold of an outbreak as fast as possible is essential. As a landlord, you can be held responsible if you know that mold is present in a rental home but fail to take the proper steps to deal with it.
Besides legal liability, toxic mold can deal a lot of damage to a rental home if left unmanaged. Mold grows well wherever there is a regular supply of moisture. It can grow on cardboard, wallpaper, carpet, ceiling tiles, and upholstery. It can also grow on wood products, like the wood inside walls and floors, insulation, and even drywall and paint. While mold is a problem, its growth can often be prevented before it causes too much damage. The key is to perform regular maintenance that includes good mold prevention strategies.
Call the Experts
Oddly enough, some property management firms don’t consider mold a serious issue. They may attempt to avoid costs by not fixing water damage right away or telling the tenants to fix it themselves. Mold should never be treated lightly, and jeopardizing your residents’ health is never a good idea. The severe nature of mold and the significant risks and damages it can cause— especially when ignored— makes it a job for a company that will work to safeguard you and your residents from undesirable consequences.
In Conclusion
At Real Property Management Gold, we recognize the hazards that uncontrolled growths of mold pose to rental property owners. Our team of skilled property managers and service professionals in Southern Maryland will address and fix the issue early, thus saving you both time and money. Would you like a free assessment of your rental property? Please contact us online or call us at 301-392-2172 for more information.
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