How To Recognize and Prevent Mold Problems

9/11/2019 (Permalink)

No one likes to see black mold on the walls of their commercial building, especially the people who work in the space.

When you own commercial property in Knoxville, TN, you are responsible for the upkeep of the building. Part of that responsibility is making sure you keep the building free of black mold growth. It's easier to take the necessary steps to prevent a problem if you understand it. Here are a few facts about mold and how to keep it from becoming an issue.

How Does a Mold Problem Happen?
There's no way to completely get rid of mold in your building. Mold spores are inevitably in the air. They travel in from the outside on the briefcases, coats, hair, and shoes of everyone who walks in the door. They don't become a problem, however, until the right conditions exist for them to settle and grow:

Moisture
Organic matter
Stagnant air

If your building is particularly humid or you have unresolved water damage, black mold spores are likely to settle and thrive. Mold growth not only gives off an unpleasant odor, but it also can destroy any item it infests.

How Do You Prevent Mold Growth?
To prevent mold growth, you must get rid of the things it needs to survive. Address any moisture problem in a timely manner. Maintain a 45-50% humidity level in your building. Keep the HVAC system running even when people aren't in the building to keep up the airflow. Clean up spills as soon as they occur, especially those that happen on the carpet. If you experience a water loss, have the problem fixed and any damage it causes mitigated as soon as possible. Finally, if a mold problem does arise, prevent a recurring issue by calling mold cleanup professionals quickly to make sure it is properly resolved.

No one likes to see black mold on the walls of their commercial building, especially the people who work in the space. By understanding the nature of mold and what it needs to grow, you are more likely to prevent it from happening.