Property owners are aware that when it comes to maintenance of their units, problems should be caught early and repaired quickly. This is a solid and cost-effective strategy. Fix the problems you catch quickly. Disregarding a problem now can lead to a bigger problem down the road, and it will be more expensive to fix. Not only that, but it may also potentially place your residents in harm’s way.
One usual issue is the appearance of mold in the residence. This problem can often catch residents and property owners off guard. Because it starts gradually and spreads slowly, often hidden within other structures or inside walls, certain molds can seemingly go from invisible to a serious health hazard in a snap of your fingers. When ignored, mold could cause so much damage to buildings.
There are varieties of mold, 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 underneath the floors if you’ve had a flood or in ceilings if you’ve had a leak. This also includes leaky roofs, windows, or pipes. Black Mold gives off an unpleasant musty odor. When it’s present, it can severely limit your ability to guarantee the safety of a rental home because of the potential health problems it creates. It is important to note, Stachybotrys molds are not always black. This means that dangerous molds come in different colors. In other words, there are no means of knowing just by looking whether you’re dealing with toxic or harmless mold.
Although mold generally is 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 numbers concerning how often Stachybotrys molds are discovered in buildings, but it’s less common than ostentatious media reports would want to admit.
Health Hazards
The existence of toxic mold is a serious health concern. The CDC reports link 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. Persons with allergies, asthma or lung disease could be even more severely affected, resulting in serious infections in the lungs or other life-threatening situations.
Property Damage
Because of the danger raised by toxic mold, taking control of an outbreak as efficiently as possible is of utmost importance. As a landlord, you can be liable if you are aware that there is mold in a rental home but do not take the proper steps to correct it.
Beyond legal liability, toxic mold can cause great damage to a rental home if ignored. Mold flourishes well wherever a steady stream of moisture is present. It can be found growing on cardboard, ceiling tiles, carpet, wallpaper, and upholstery. Also, it can grow on wood products, like the wood inside walls and floors, on insulation, and even on drywall and paint. With so much at risk in your rental properties, it’s essential to execute regular maintenance that involves good mold prevention strategies.
Call the Experts
Mysteriously enough, some property management companies don’t believe mold to be a serious concern. They may attempt to avoid costs by not fixing water damage right away or telling the tenants to fix it themselves. However, putting the health of your residents at risk is never a good idea. Mold should never be treated lightly. The serious nature of the damages caused by overlooking mold makes it a job for a company that will work to protect you and your residents from unwanted results.
In Conclusion
At Real Property Management Raleigh, we understand the dangers that uncontrolled growths of mold pose to rental property owners. Our team of expert property managers and service professionals in Raleigh will deal with the issue early and correct it, thus saving you both time and money. Do you want a free assessment of your rental property? Please contact us online or call us at 919-481-0008 for further information.
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