Mold is one of a property owner’s least favorite words to hear. Dealing with mold is a nuisance, and something that should not be taken lightly. Mold is not only just damaging, but it can be a serious health hazard.
Luckily, there are many ways to prevent and combat mold in a Florida rental property. Active mold prevention is an essential part of owning and managing a rental property to ensure your tenants safety and property protection.
While most property owners and managers take steps towards protecting their property from mold, sometimes it still finds a way into the home. Mold poses severe risks and can significantly hinder the success of your rental property. As a professional property manager, I want to share my guide to preventing and combating mold in your Tampa rental property.
What is Mold?
Mold is a naturally occurring fungi which can be found outside in nature, and inside your home. Mold needs two things to grow: moisture and oxygen. Being that it needs moisture (water) to grow, it’s essential to keep in mind that where there is mold, there is moisture.
In addition, mold thrives in warm environments. The combination of moisture and a warm climate is why many Tampa property owners and tenants face the challenge of mold at one point or another.
Is Mold Dangerous?
Mold can be extremely dangerous, posing both health risks and property damage. If left undiscovered or untreated, living amongst mold can make you ill. Mold exposure can be especially dangerous for children, elderly individuals, those with asthma, or pre-existing health conditions.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the symptoms of mold infection may include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Red eyes
- Skin rashes
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Asthma attacks
As a rental property owner, ensuring your tenants safety is essential. Actively preventing and combating mold in a timely manner should be of utmost importance to all property owners and managers in Florida.
Signs of Mold in your Home
Oftentimes, mold goes unnoticed if it grows in a location that is not typically visible. Property owners and tenants should be aware of the multiple signs of mold presence to effectively detect and combat the issue before it grows exponentially.
The Signs of Mold Include:
Visible mold: Mold is often visible—it appears black, green, or white/gray in color. Mold looks like patches of discoloration that can appear on walls, personal belongings, vents, ceilings, showers etc.
Musty or funky odor: Mold typically produces a musty or funky odor. The smell is earthy and unusual. A change in smell in a particular room in your home is a typical sign of mold presence.
Increased allergies or symptoms: Illness and allergy-like symptoms when inside the home can be an indication of mold.
Humidity and Condensation: Because mold grows in the presence of moisture, humidity and condensation in the home cause mold growth. If you see condensation on windows or walls, or feel humidity inside, there is excessive moisture which can mean there is a mold presence. Excessive humidity and condensation should be addressed immediately to prevent any/ further mold growth.
How to Prevent Mold
As a professional Tampa property manager, I can tell you firsthand that active mold prevention is effective and essential. While no one tries to get mold, you can try to NOT get mold. Being careless about moisture control and humidity levels, or failing to address leaks in a timely manner are two ways to easily invite mold into your home.
Active mold prevention will make a significant difference in your tenants safety and satisfaction, your rental property’s success, and the condition of your home. There are many simple, yet effective, ways to prevent mold. Here are 6 easy steps to take to prevent mold growth in your rental property.
1) Educate Tenants About Mold Prevention
In a rental property, you are not there to ensure your tenants are taking care of your property and enforcing mold prevention habits. However, what you can do is educate them of the importance of doing so. Creating a simple flyer or pamphlet with clear instructions to give out on move-in day can help create awareness of the dangers of mold.
2) Set Thermostat to “AUTO”:
Setting your thermostat correctly can be the number one mold prevention measure to take. Thermostats can be confusing, so here’s what to do. Your thermostat should be set to “AUTO”, your fan should not be set to “ON”.
When your fan is set incorrectly to “ON”, it is not circulating fresh air throughout the home. This setting circles humid air that enters or stays in your home. Circulating humid air creates a moisture buildup that leads to mold growth.
As a Tampa rental property owner or manager, it is vital to inform tenants of the correct way to set the thermostat. We have dealt with multiple cases of mold growth due to the incorrect setting of the thermostat. Setting your thermostat fan to “AUTO” is essential in preventing mold and protecting personal items and your property.
3) Change the AC Air Filter Every 90 Days
The AC air filter should be changed every 90 days. The air filter collects dust and debris which can be carrying moisture. A buildup of the debris can create excess moisture and mold growth in the filter. I recommend supplying extra air filters to your tenants and educating them on the possible outcome of debris and moisture buildup.
4) Address Water Leaks
Failing to immediately address water leaks can lead to mold growth and further damage. Once a tenant notifies you of a water leak, whether big or small, take action promptly. This includes leaky or dripping faucets that may cause a mold buildup in or under the sink, shower, or toilet.
5) Seal Windows and Doors
Moisture build ups can occur when warm air is let into an air conditioned home. This air may enter through open, unsealed, or unlatched windows and doors. To keep moisture out of your home, ensure windows and doors are properly sealed and latched. Latching your windows provides an extra layer of protection against the infiltration of warm air and moisture. Advise your tenant of proper window and door latching measures.
6) Use the Exhaust Fan When Showering and Cooking
Showering and cooking can both create excess moisture and warmth. Be sure to use the exhaust fan when showering and cooking to rid of this moisture and prevent mold growth.
How to Combat Mold
As a rental property owner, manager, and tenant, it is essential to know what steps to take towards combating mold if it appears in your property.
1) Identify the Cause and Affected Areas
Sometimes the mold-infected area is apparent through visual mold growth. Other times, the pungent musty smell will lead you to discover mold growth. The first step in combating mold is figuring out exactly where it is coming from and what may be causing it.
For example, say there is a large patch of mold on the wall. The mold is isolated to one spot and high on the wall, not covered by furniture or decor. This mold patch could be an indication of an underlying issue such as moisture within the walls caused by a leak or failed ventilation.
As a tenant, it is essential that you notify your landlord or property manager immediately. As a landlord or a property manager, contact a water mold remediation or damage restoration vendor.
2) Control Humidity Levels
Humidity can cause significant mold growth and damage. While damage may have already occurred, it is important to focus on controlling humidity levels to prevent further mold growth and damage. Humidity can be controlled by purchasing a dehumidifier, properly closing and sealing windows and doors, turning the thermostat to “AUTO”, and using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom.
3) Repair Leaks and Clean Up Water Damage
If the source of mold is a leak or water damage, you must combat both the cause and the damage to rid of mold and prevent further mold growth. It is essential to hire a professional maintenance vendor as reaching and addressing the source of the issue can be complex — it must be fixed correctly the first time. If there is excess water caused by flooding or a pipe burst, the water should be removed immediately.
4) Remove Damaged Items
Depending on the affected area and severity of the flooding, damaged materials like carpeting, flooring, and drywall must be removed and replaced. Failing to remove or replace damaged materials will cause further and prolonged mold growth, illness, and property damage.
In addition, mold may affect personal items like clothing and shoes. If mold grows on personal items, it is best to dispose of them as they cannot be refurbished. Mold is toxic and wearing clothing or shoes with mold will cause illness.
5) Deep Clean Affected Surfaces and Interior
Once the mold and damage materials have been removed, it is important to clean all affected surfaces whether it be walls, vents, ceiling fans, etc. In addition, I highly recommend a thorough deep-cleaning of the interior of the home.
The Importance of Professional Property Inspections
Here at The Listing Real Estate Management, we stress the importance of regular property inspections. Property inspections can help identify and prevent safety hazards like mold growth. As a professional property manager, I highly recommend enforcing quarterly inspections, including move-in and move-out inspections.
While move-in inspections are often completed by the tenant, quarterly interior inspections performed by the property owner or manager act as a security measure to ensure the upkeep and safety of the property. At The Listing, our property managers know exactly what to look for to prevent and identify mold growth. If a tenant is failing to enforce proper mold-prevention tactics, a professional inspection can save a property from significant damage.
At The Listing Real Estate Management, our goal is to ensure that all of our managed properties and tenants are safe and mold-free. Our years of experience in Florida have helped us easily identify, prevent, and combat mold growths. Mold can pose significant challenges, but we want to be sure our clients’ properties are operating at only the best of standards.
Don’t let mold growth get in the way of your rental property success. Be sure to educate yourself and your tenants about the risks of mold growth, how to prevent it, and what action to take in the event that it does happen. If you’re in need of professional guidance on your rental management journey, contact us today at The Listing Real Estate Management, your boutique property managers.
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