Preventing Mold in Commercial Buildings

8/14/2020 (Permalink)

While homeowners sometimes have issues with mold damage in their homes due to leaks or other issues, commercial buildings like schools, gyms, and hotels can experience mold damage as well. There are several reasons why you might find mold in these kinds of buildings. We’ve put together a few tips on how to handle the situation if you do find mold. Keep reading to learn more!

Common Moisture Causes in Commercial Buildings

Moisture problems in commercial buildings can be caused by a variety of conditions, including roof and plumbing leaks, condensation, and excess humidity. Some moisture problems in buildings have been linked to changes in building construction practices in past years. These changes have resulted in more rigidly sealed buildings that may not allow moisture to escape quickly, which can cause mold to grow. Moisture problems in businesses are also associated with delayed maintenance or insufficient maintenance, due to budget and other constraints. Recent events have only exacerbated the situation. Temporary structures in buildings, such as trailers and portable classrooms for schools, have frequently been associated with moisture and mold problems. 

Suggestions for reducing mold growth in buildings

There are several steps that hotels, gyms, schools, and other commercial buildings can take to help reduce mold growth over time. First, try to reduce indoor humidity. With monsoon season in AZ, even if there is no rain, there’s still substantial moisture in the air, so try doing the following for your building:

• Use exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning in food service areas.
• Vent showers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside.
• Control humidity levels and dampness by using air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
• Provide adequate ventilation to maintain indoor humidity levels between 30-60%.

Inspect the building for signs of mold, moisture, leaks, or spills that can cause mold growth. Check for moldy odors, which can indicate mold is growing, even if you can’t see it. Look for water stains or discoloration on the ceiling, walls, floors, and windowsills. Check under sinks for standing water, water stains, or mold. Inspect bathrooms for standing water, water stains, or mold. Do not let water stand in air conditioning or refrigerator drip pans.

What to do if you see mold damage or suspect mold growth is present

If you suspect that you have mold issues, your first step should be to call in mold remediation specialists like SERVPRO of Central Phoenix, who can come in and address the situation. While many business owners feel they can address the situation themselves, cleaning the visible mold isn’t always enough. Not only do you need to clean the visible mold, but you also need to find the source of mold growth in the first place and remedy the situation. After cleaning the visible mold, you need to ensure that the area is thoroughly dry, so mold growth doesn’t come back. Last, you may need to address the lingering odor of mold. SERVPRO of Central Phoenix has trained professionals to handle all aspects of mold remediation. They’ll come in to inspect the mold damage, assessing what needs to be done to address the issue. They’ll contain the mold growth, initiate air filtration for mold spores, remove the mold and mold-infested materials in your building, clean contents, and restore the area to pre-mold damage condition. If you experience mold damage in your commercial building, call the experts at SERVPRO of Central Phoenix, 24/7, at 602-386-4268.