Mold is a severe concern because it's difficult to detect, expensive to eradicate, and can harm the tenants' health. The implied assurance of habitability, as defined under landlord-tenant regulations, compels landlords to keep their rental homes free of health dangers. As a result, it's critical to identify and address mold problems as soon as possible.
Mold Removal vs. Mold Remediation: What's the Difference?
Mold spores are tiny and can be found practically everywhere, making full "removal" impossible. They can float through the air and land on any surface. When mold takes root in a humid environment and forms a damage-inducing colony, the cleanup process is referred to as remediation (or returning the spores to normal/natural levels). Although the terms "removal" and "remediation" are sometimes used interchangeably.
How to Remove Mold Infestation?
If one can see mold, it should be removed immediately; visible mold development has no place in a healthy home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends eradicating all types of mold, so it's usually not worth the effort and money to test the spores to see what kind of mold they are.
Fix the Water Problem
Stop whatever's causing the wetness to spread. We name it: fix the leaky pipe, cover the foundation crack, build a vent, run a dehumidifier in the basement. Mold will repopulate if landlords don't address the issue right away, wasting the remediation efforts.
Protect Yourself
Wear goggles, gloves, and a mask. It's better to wear old clothes that you can discard afterward. To circulate fresh air, use a box fan.
Bag What you Remove Immediately
Place all damp and moldy objects in 6 mm thick plastic trash bags and knot them shut. Check the package of garbage bags to ensure thickness. Wipe the bags down with a moist cloth and a detergent solution before removing them from the polluted area. Then throw them out like regular trash.
Scrub Surfaces
Use a wire brush to clean moldy non-porous materials and wood surfaces, then wipe clean with disposable wipes. Scrub all surfaces with a soft brush and a solution of a quart of water and half a cup of bleach. When it's finished, wipe down the surfaces but don't rinse them to allow the bleach to destroy the mold.
Also Read: Ways to Improve Your Orlando Rental Property's Curb Appeal and Value
Hire Mold Remediation Professionals
If there is an issue that is more serious than some of the aforementioned examples, one should seek expert assistance. Furthermore, if someone is allergic to mold or is dealing with very dangerous mold, this is not something one should attempt on their own. One can also take help from property management in this case.
Professional remediation can cost over $1,000 depending on the scope of the project. Before choosing a contractor, acquire several quotations and make sure they're completely licensed and insured. Mold remediation professionals must have the necessary training, licensure, liability, and workers' compensation insurance, all of which raises costs.
A professional should be able to explain the project thoroughly. If the expert is unable to do so or tries to complicate it by terrifying you, ignore them. Furthermore, if they promise complete elimination, this should be a warning flag—services can only fix the problem.
