Many of us take clean indoor air for granted. We may not understand that inside our homes, it’s possible for contaminants to present dangers to our everyday living.
Unfortunately, that’s the case with mold. That is why mold prevention is one of the key jobs of any rental property owner and property management company. While mold can often remain hidden from sight, there are steps you can take to detect it if it’s present. There’s also mold remediation actions you can take to get your rental property back in safe order.
Understanding Mold: Naturally Occurring vs Black Mold
Whenever mold is mentioned, people naturally think about how harmful it can be to them. The important thing to note, though, is that not all mold is actually harmful.
In fact, “regular mold,” as it’s called, occurs naturally and can be found all over in nature. It grows in areas that are damp and looks dry and powdery. It can be brown, greenish-black or gray.
Although exposure to regular mold poses some health risks, they are generally less severe than those associated with black mold.
Black mold is often wet and slimy and is greenish-brown. The spores from black mold can cause significant health risks, including skin irritation, respiratory issues, skin rashes, headaches and sneezing.
While it’s not as common as regular mold, it produces what are known as mycotoxins. If you spot black mold, it requires professional attention and a mold remediation plan.
Identifying Moisture Sources
In order to grow, mold requires moisture. Without the presence of water, mold can’t thrive.
That’s why it’s so important to eliminate moisture sources to prevent mold at your rental. Property management companies will include leak inspections and dampness during rental maintenance periods.
This is a crucial step in preventing mold buildup and addressing any mold growth if it has already begun.
Preventative Measures to Avoid Mold Buildup
There are many things that you can do to prevent mold at your rental.
First, it’s a good idea to install exhaust fans in all kitchens and bathrooms. These two rooms in the house produce a lot of moisture, and it’s essentially to ensure that moisture is removed and isn’t allowed to sit.
It’s also important to maintain humidity levels below 50%. In humid environments, moisture is present, creating an ideal spot for mold to grow. If your rental property is prone to being humid — or is located in a humid region — you might consider a humidity monitor in the house and installing a dehumidifier if need be.
As mentioned earlier, it’s also advisable to regularly inspect areas that are prone to moisture as part of your rental maintenance plan. This includes inspecting bathtubs, showers, sinks and toilets.
Best Practices When There’s Mold at Your Rental
All of these steps are great at mold prevention, but what should you do if you spot mold during one of these inspections?
As a resident of a rental property, you should immediately notify property owners or managers so that they are aware of the issue. At this point, you should do nothing until the property owners or managers respond.
Before trying to clean the mold, it’s important to test it first. This is because the steps that you should take for mold remediation depends on what the test says.
Once a professional has been able to properly inspect and test the area, it’s imperative to follow all protocols for professional inspections and mold remediation.
Professional Mold Removal and Restoration
No matter what type of mold you find, professionals who are trained in mold remediation can contain all affected areas. They also use protective equipment to ensure they don’t suffer any health consequences.
Not only that, but they follow strict protocols to ensure that nothing gets cross-contaminated. During removal, they will use specific products that will kill the mold spores and remove the mold that is present, which could include simple bleach or even a cleaning agent that is industrial strength.
It’s possible that, depending on the damage, you may have to replace some wood surfaces if they’re untreated, drywall, carpet or other flooring. This is why it’s important to identify mold early, otherwise it could turn into a full-blown home restoration project.
Once the mold remediation has been completed, obtain a remediation certificate, which will confirm that the treatment has been thorough and that the rental property is safe to inhabit again.
Work with the Trusted Professionals at 1836 Property Management
Mold prevention is one of the most important regular rental maintenance steps that property owners need to take. It can be a painstaking process, but it’s essential to ensure your home is in a safe condition for your renters.
When you work with the property management specialists at 1836 Property Management, you can rest assured that we have all the proper protocols in place as part of our rental maintenance plans to identify mold and be on the lookout for its growth. And if any mold is ever spotted, we have partnerships with local professionals who can safely, effectively and quickly complete mold remediation before it becomes a bigger home restoration project.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you effectively manage your investment property and prevent mold at your rental.
