Preventing Mold in Commercial Properties in Riverside City

12/9/2019 (Permalink)

A water leak caused drywall damage. Mold was found behind the drywall. SERVPRO was here to help!

Mold growth in your commercial property can lead to structural damage to the property itself and health concerns for those exposed to it. There are many factors that can lead to mold growth as well as steps that can be taken as preventative measures. This article will cover both to keep you, the business manager or owner, better informed and prepared to handle a mold situation.

How Mold Can Spread in Commercial Properties

Mold thrives in damp, dark places. So you can find mold just about anywhere that moisture lingers in the air. Mold spores can cling to and grow on a variety of building surfaces including stone, brick, wood, drywall, and metal.

Here are three factors that contribute to the formation and spreading of commercial mold.

1. Moisture Due to Humid Conditions

When outside temperatures fall during the fall and winter seasons, mold often begins to form indoors where the air is warmer and more humid.

You can sometimes see condensation forming on the interior of glass windows and skylights. If this moisture drips down the walls and manages to penetrate into seams and cracks in the walls, it is very likely that mold will begin to grow.

2. Water Leaks From Roof and Plumbing

One of the biggest causes of mold infestations is leaks in the roof or leaky pipes in the walls. These leaks often go undetected for months or even years, allowing massive colonies of mold to fill the spaces in attics and inside walls and ceilings.

This water damage combined with mold can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage, and it often will require entire facilities to be shut down for mold restoration and remodeling.

3. Condensation forming in an HVAC system

Other troublesome spots where mold forms in commercial buildings are the heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system. Due to the heating and cooling of the metal ducts and vents, condensation often forms on these surfaces that are hidden away from view. These dark, damp places become a breeding ground for various types of mold.

And the worst part is that the ventilation system then blows mold spores throughout the entire building. Those spores can lie dormant for a very long time. But once they come in contact with moisture, they can begin to grow and spread.

How to Prevent the Spread of Mold in Commercial Properties

Preventing the spread of mold should be a high priority for commercial property managers. Whenever mold or water leaks are discovered, swift action must be taken to prevent further growth and damage. Here are three strategies that need to be implemented consistently.

1. Inspect Moisture-Prone Areas Regularly

As noted above, the HVAC system needs to be routinely inspected for mold and moisture, particularly the evaporator coils and drain pans and pipes. Surfaces should be inspected, cleaned and disinfected once a year or more if necessary.

Roof tiles should also receive a professional inspection annually, and attic spaces should be checked for water damage too.

All kitchen and bath areas should be checked, including in the backs of cabinets and vanities, as mold thrives in dark spaces. And again, all surfaces should be cleaned regularly.

2. Clean and Disinfect All Surfaces Frequently

Routine cleaning cannot be emphasized enough. Not only should areas when mold and moisture are spotted be cleaned thoroughly, but all floors, walls and counter spaces should be disinfected regularly to kill spores that lie dormant.

3. Use Dehumidifiers to Reduce Moisture in the Air

Lastly, some commercial buildings that have routinely humid conditions might benefit from the use of dehumidifiers placed throughout the building or in conjunction with the HVAC system. These remove excess moisture from the air and make it difficult for mold spores to grow.

Fighting commercial mold can be a challenge for business owners and commercial property managers, but by knowing what to look for - and by engaging in consistent and thorough cleaning practices - mold can be kept in check to provide a safe environment for everyone.

What about Preventing Mold in your Maintenance Closet?

Lack of Air Circulation

Closets, in general, are a very common hiding place for mold. This is due to the fact that there is usually an absence of ventilation in closets. When you open a closet and then close it shut moist air can easily become trapped within. The moisture will usually lead to condensation on the wall without the chance of evaporation. This provides an excellent environment for mold to thrive in.

How to Prevent

The simplest task you can perform is to routinely check the walls in the closet for condensation. This can help you notice a moisture issue before it becomes a mold issue. However, the best way to prevent the problem is to create an avenue for air to circulate in and out of the closet. Installing air vents on the upper and lower areas of the closet door can help ensure better airflow and prevent moisture from being trapped

Leaking Water Heater

Many times, utility closets will share a space with a water heater. If the equipment has not been maintained, it is common for a leak to occur.

How to Prevent

Be sure to run routine checks on your water heater to make sure it is working efficiently for you and not causing a water damage situation in your closet which could lead to mold growth

Mop Buckets and Cleaning Supplies

Maintenance closets are usually deemed the perfect place for hiding mops, buckets, used towels, and other cleaning supplies. However, these items can lend to the moisture that gets trapped in your closet and leads to mold. This is especially true, for mop bucket spills!

How to Prevent

If possible, keep the items mentioned above away from your storage closet. If you must store them there, make sure that mop buckets are emptied and wiped dry. Mops should be squeezed of excess moisture and towels should only be returned to the closet if dry.

Floor Clutter

Clutter along the floor of your maintenance closet is the perfect opportunity to hide spills, moisture, and mold growth from your line of sight. 

How to Prevent

Try to keep clutter to a minimum and put loose items on shelves in your maintenance closet. This makes it much easier to identify moisture on your closet floor or even cleaning after water damage that may have seeped into the closet.