Mold Prevention Strategies

8/26/2022 (Permalink)

Mold can grow almost anywhere

Black mold, or mold of any variety, growing in your Philadelphia, PA, commercial building can cause major problems. Fortunately, a little preventive maintenance can help your business stay mold-free.

Mold Growth Conditions

Although mold spores are nearly everywhere, there are specific conditions that must be met before mold can grow. Here are three things that mold needs in order to thrive:

1. Warmth
2. Food
3. Moisture

Most indoor locations are sufficiently warm for mold to grow. Mold feeds on organic materials, such as dust, paper products, and food. Mold also needs moisture. This can come from spills, leaks, or even high humidity.

Mold Growth Prevention

Because most commercial buildings will have adequate warmth and sufficient food available for black mold and other fungal growth, the key to preventing an infestation is minimizing the water available. Try to keep the indoor humidity below 50% if possible. You may need to run a dehumidifier in particularly humid areas, such as kitchens.

If you detect a moisture problem, address it immediately. Clean up spills and repair leaks as soon as possible. In addition to keeping the building dry, you can also minimize the likelihood of a mold infestation by decreasing the number of mold spores present.

An air purifier with a HEPA filter can trap mold spores before they have a chance to begin growing. Keeping the building, especially the carpets, clean can also keep the number of mold spores down. Unfortunately, it may be impossible to prevent all mold growth. However, it can be caught early.

Perform routine inspections of humid areas, places where mold has grown before and anywhere else susceptible to an infestation. With proper mold cleanup, you can likely solve the problem before major damage occurs.

Even the most conscientious business owner can discover black mold. If you need help getting your property back to normal, a certified restoration service can help you do so quickly and safely.