Things You Should Know About Mold In Commercial Buildings

Mold is a problem that often plagues commercial buildings. It can grow both indoors and outdoors, and over time it can result in health risks and damage to your property. Here’s what you need to know about mold in commercial buildings.

Where can mold grow?

One of the things that makes mold so difficult to deal with is that it can grow virtually anywhere if the right moisture conditions are present. It has the ability to grow both indoors and outdoors, and it particularly likes to grow on moist, dark surfaces. Mold can also grow on hidden surfaces within your building envelope, including areas behind drywall, underneath carpet, or in ceiling materials.

Mold growth usually happens as a result of moisture problems and a lack of appropriate ventilation in the building. Roof leaks and inefficient drainage systems are two common causes of mold growth. A lack of appropriate maintenance can exacerbate these problems even further. Older buildings are typically the most vulnerable to mold growth, but this can happen with buildings of any age.

What happens when excessive mold growth is present?

Mold growth is a serious concern for commercial buildings because of the way it can negatively affect occupant health. Exposure to mold can cause difficulty breathing, skin irritation, and headaches, as well as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and allergic reactions in more extreme cases. These symptoms are often exaggerated when air quality is particularly poor. Anyone can have a health reaction to mold, but some people are particularly sensitive to it.

Additionally, mold growth can cause damage to your building over time. Large quantities of mold can break down your building’s core structures, and they are very difficult to remove without also damaging the structure of the building.

How To Prevent Mold Growth in Commercial Buildings

Because mold is such a serious health risk, it’s important to take steps to prevent it in your commercial buildings. The best way to prevent mold growth is to install a reliable HVAC system with air purification features in your properties. Your HVAC system should be maintained and inspected regularly to prevent any problems.

Any appliances that generate moisture should be vented to the outside of your building whenever possible. Buildings should also have appropriate drainage to prevent water from getting trapped anywhere on the property. Finally, each building should be inspected frequently for leaks, as this is a major cause of mold growth. The faster you can address each leak, the more likely you will be to prevent mold growth.

While mold is a major problem in many commercial buildings, being vigilant about moisture levels can help you prevent it. At New Horizon Construction Services, we help our clients with a broad range of commercial construction projects, including building upgrades and ventilation systems to prevent mold.

 
We are an Orlando-based general contractor with extensive experience in commercial construction. If you’re interested in learning more about our services, give us a call at 407-574-2164 or contact us through our website.