Ways To Prevent Mold in Your Commercial Building

11/18/2020 (Permalink)

Taking steps to prevent mold in your commercial building will save you time and money in the long run.

Preventing mold in a business or commercial property is important to avoid any allergens or irritants to your tenants, customers, or employees. On top of potential health effects, a widespread mold problem can result in the need for thousands of dollars worth of mold remediation and disrupt your normal business operations. The good news is there are easy steps to take to prevent the growth of mold in your building.

6 Ways to Prevent Indoor Mold

1. Understand why mold grows.

Mold spores are around us all the time, but these spores are invisible to the human eye. Mold spores are relatively harmless and only become an issue once they are exposed to moisture or higher than normal humidity levels. These spores can enter your building through the HVAC system, pets, or even your clothes.

When exposed to water, spores will quickly produce the mold colonies we are used to seeing on virtually any surface. Any time your business experiences water damage, you are at risk of a mold infestation. You want to prevent environments that are conducive for mold to grow.

2. Don't ignore the signs of mold.

Sometimes mold grows in places that you cannot see, especially if there is a hidden water leak or moisture behind a wall. There are other indications of mold that you should investigate when they arise:

• Strong, musty odors
• Sudden persistent allergies
• Recent water damage or flooding
• Discoloration you suspect could be mold

3. Promptly fix water leaks & dry-out building materials properly.

When a leak is identified in your building, take steps to fix it right away. The longer a leak goes on, the more likely it is for mold to begin to grow. A leak detection system can be helpful in large commercial buildings so that leaks don't go unnoticed for an extended amount of time.

After your leak has been fixed, you still need to take the necessary steps to ensure all water is removed and the affected area is completely dried. If it isn't, you're likely to have a mold problem on your hands in as little as 48 hours. For larger flooding or water damage events on your commercial property, it is best to call a water damage restoration company to do the job right and help prevent the growth of mold.

4. Control humidity levels in the building.

The EPA recommends that indoor humidity should be at a level between 30-60 percent. Higher than normal humidity can produce mold growth in your building without a water leak or flooding. Signs of higher than normal humidity include condensation on pipes, windows, or walls. Monitor the humidity levels in your building and take steps to lower it if needed.

5. Address the ventilation system.

Mold can hide in your HVAC system and quickly spread around the entire building when it turns on. Keeping your air ducts clear and clean can help prevent spreading mold across an entire building.

6. Turn to the experts for mold remediation services.

When you find mold in your commercial property, you may be learning towards remediating the issue yourself to save money. In most cases, this will result in the mold issue returning because it was not handled properly.

Mold remediation companies take steps to contain the affected area, remove affected materials, filter mold spores out of the air, and clean & sanitize to prevent it from coming back. Reconsider before trying to remove mold yourself.

Mold Problems? Call SERVPRO - 800-734-3213

SERVPRO of Morristown is a damage restoration company specializing in mold remediation, fire damage, water damage, and COVID-19 disinfection services.