Property owners know that when it comes to the upkeep of a property, catching the problems early and then fixing them right away is a sound strategy that can lessen costs. Repair all the problems you spot immediately. If you don’t pay attention to the repairs needed now, the problem will grow bigger and it would eventually cost you more to repair. And while it’s being used in it’s broken state, it may potentially put your residents at risk.
One common issue that can catch property owners and residents unaware is the appearance of mold in one of the rooms. Because it starts gradually and spreads slowly, often inside walls or hidden within other structures, some types of mold can seemingly go from invisible to a serious health hazard in the snap of a finger. When not treated, mold could deal a lot of damage to a residence.
There are different kinds of molds, but the toxic variety is called Black Mold, or Stachybotrys atra. Often a slimy greenish-black or gray in appearance, toxic mold thrives in damp places in the home. This includes leaky roofs, windows, or pipes. This also includes under floors if you’ve had a flood or in ceilings if you’ve had a leak. Black Mold releases an unpleasant musty odor. When it is present, it can greatly limit your guarantee of safety of the rental home. The potential health problems mold creates is just too great. Stachybotrys molds do not always show up as black. This means that molds of different colors could also be dangerous. In other words, visual inspection cannot distinguish whether what you’re dealing with is toxic or harmless mold.
Although mold is generally very common in moist indoor environments, Stachybotrys is less common than other mold species, such as Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn’t have figures about how frequently Stachybotrys molds are located in buildings, but it’s less common than ostentatious media reports would want to say.
Health Hazards
The existence of toxic mold is a serious health concern. The CDC reports associate the presence of mold in the residence and serious health effects, including respiratory problems (coughing or wheezing, throat irritation, nasal stuffiness), eye irritation, or skin irritation. People with allergies, asthma or lung disease may be even more severely affected. This could lead to serious infections in the lungs and threaten their lives.
Property Damage
Because of the danger posed by toxic mold, it’s important to take hold of an outbreak as fast as possible. As a landlord, you may be held responsible if you know of the mold’s presence in a rental home but do not take the proper steps to deal with it.
Beyond legal liability, toxic mold can lead to severe damage to a rental home if left unimpeded. Mold grows well wherever there is a regular supply of moisture. It can grow on cardboard, ceiling tiles, carpet, wallpaper, and upholstery. It can also grow on wood products, like the wood inside walls and floors, on insulation, and even on drywall and paint. With so much at stake in your rental homes, it’s essential to do regular maintenance that incorporates good mold prevention strategies.
Call the Experts
Oddly enough, some property management firms don’t consider mold a serious issue. They may try to avoid expenses by disregarding water damage or telling residents to deal with it themselves. However, the mold should never be treated lightly, and putting the health of your residents at risk is never a good idea. The serious nature of the damages caused by ignoring mold makes it a job for a company that will work to protect you and your tenants from unwelcome consequences.
In Conclusion
At Real Property Management Republic, we recognize the hazards that uncontrolled growths of mold pose to rental property owners. Our team of skilled property managers and service professionals in Conroe will address the issue early and fix it, 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 281-362-5001 for additional information.
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