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Mildew or Toxic Mold: What’s Hiding in Your Bathroom

A woman scrubs a bathtub with a sponge to prevent mildew or mold.
Mold and mildew are both types of fungus that can thrive in warm and moist areas, making bathrooms and other damp spaces in your Charleston rental properties particularly vulnerable. Although they might look alike, there are significant differences between the two that you and your tenants need to know. Understanding how to spot the difference between toxic mold and mildew can help prevent a little problem from escalating into a costly nightmare. Keeping your rental properties clean and safe requires staying informed about these potential hazards.

 

There are many different kinds of mold and mildew, most are not considered toxic or poisonous. It’s likely that your tenants may not know much about these two, what they look like, or what to do if they encounter them. Mildew, for example, is a common surface fungus that is typically flat and powdery. It is often gray or white in color and tends to grow in bathrooms or other areas that are frequently damp. If left untreated, it can produce an unpleasant odor. However, mildew can usually be removed quite easily by using a bleach solution and a scrub brush, which tenants can manage themselves.

Identifying and Addressing Toxic Mold in Rental Properties

Mold on the other hand, is much more invasive and harder to get rid of. It often hides in walls and ceilings, especially in spaces with high humidity or after water damage has occurred. Mold is harder to spot initially, but one of the earliest indicators of a mold problem is the musty smell it produces. Unlike mildew, mold can grow in a variety of colors, including blacks, greens, and even reds, and it may appear 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 grow. This type of mold usually occurs after significant water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, or flooding. While not everyone will get sick from toxic mold, the  Center for Disease Control (CDC) notes that some people may experience physical symptoms after exposure to this strain of mold, including respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, skin rashes, infections, and even asthma.

Preventing Mold Growth Through Regular Maintenance and Tenant Education

Once mold has taken root, getting rid of it can be difficult and expensive. While hard surfaces may be cleaned with bleach, items like carpets, wallboards, cabinets, and furniture affected by mold usually need to be completely replaced. For this reason, catching any potential problems early is crucial.

Your first line of defense against mold problems is your tenant. Educating tenants on how to mitigate mildew and mold growth can help keep your rental home safe. Encourage your renters to ventilate damp areas and report any water damage or leaks immediately. Routine maintenance of your rental home should also include regular inspections for evidence of water damage, mold, and mildew. This means looking for water leaks, condensation, and other moisture problems. Addressing these issues quickly can help minimize the growth of mold in the property.

 

If mold is found in your rental home, it indicates that there is a significant problem with water or moisture in the property that needs to be addressed. Simply cleaning the property may not be enough if the conditions that encouraged the mold to grow are still present. Ensure that any water leaks or moisture problems are fixed to prevent mold from recurring.

 

When you hire Real Property Management Charleston, you’ll benefit from our expert services, including regular evaluations and comprehensive checks that identify potential problem areas before they become severe. Our team can help you prevent the spread of mold and mildew in your Charleston rental homes and ensure that you’re informed of the risks and solutions. Contact us online or call us directly at 843-900-4061.

 

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