One issue that can catch property owners and residents without warning is the evidence of mold in the residence. Because it starts in some degree and propagates slowly, many a time inside walls or obscured within other structures, numerous molds can presumably go from invisible to a grim health hazard immediately.
There are quite a few manifold kinds of molds, but the toxic variety is called Black Mold, or Stachybotrys atra. Often a slimy greenish-black or gray on the surface, toxic mold reproduces in damp places in the home including leaky roofs, windows, or pipes, or even under floors and in ceilings if you’ve had a flood or leak. Black Mold gives off an awful musty odor, and when present can starkly limit your ability to ensure the safety of a rental home. It is important to note, Stachybotrys molds are not always black, meaning molds of different colors could also be dangerous. In other words, there’s no way to tell just by looking whether you’re dealing with toxic or harmless mold.
While mold, largely is very common 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 information about how often Stachybotrys molds are found in buildings, but it’s less common than garish media reports would prefer to admit.
Health Hazards
The presence of toxic mold is a serious health impediment. The CDC reports interconnect between the presence of mold in the home 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 seriously affected, effecting serious infections in the lungs or other life-threatening conditions.
Property Damage
On account of the danger put forth by toxic mold, it’s critical to arrest an outbreak as expeditiously as possible. As a landlord, you may be held to blame if you are aware that mold is present in a rental home but fail to take the sensible steps to manage it.
Over and above legal liability, toxic mold can bring on severe damage to a rental home if left out of control. Mold grows well wherever a steady supply of moisture is present. It can grow on cardboard, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, carpet, and upholstery. It can also grow on wood products, including the wood inside walls and floors, on insulation, and even on drywall and paint. With so much to be won or lost in your rental properties, it’s imperative to render regular maintenance that includes good mold prevention strategies.
Call the Experts
Outlandishly enough, some property management companies don’t take into account mold as a serious consideration. They may try to fend off costs by not handling water damage or telling residents to deal with it themselves. But mold should never be handled lackadaisically and placing the health of your residents at risk is on no account a good idea. The serious aspect of the damages caused by ignoring mold makes it a job for a company that will work to secure you and your residents from unwanted repercussions.
In Conclusion
At Real Property Management South Orlando, we comprehend the hazards that unmanageable growths of mold present to rental property owners. Our team of capable property managers and service professionals in Dr. Phillips will pay attention to the issue punctually and ameliorate it, thereby saving you both time and money. Would you like a free assessment of your rental property? Please contact us online or call us at 407-982-2000 for more information.