3 ways to prevent mold growth

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

Although mold growth can cause significant damage to your business, many serious infestations can be avoided by keeping the building clean and dry.

3 Methods For Preventing Mold Growth

Mold can be a serious problem for your Oklahoma City, OK, commercial building. However, a little preventive maintenance minimizes the likelihood of a large infestation. The following are three ways to prevent mold growth.

1. Keep the Building Dry

Mold needs moisture to grow. This moisture can come in the form of standing water from leaks and spills or high indoor humidity. If your business is located in a particularly humid area, or if there are rooms with excess moisture, running a dehumidifier will decrease the amount of moisture in the air and make it more difficult for mold to grow. Leaks, spills and other types water damage should be dried up as quickly as possible and the affected areas should be sanitized to remove any lingering bacteria.

2. Decrease Mold Spores

Unfortunately, mold spores are everywhere. However, it is possible to minimize the number of spores present in your commercial building. Air purifiers with HEPA filters trap spores before they have a chance to colonize. Many HVAC systems can also be outfitted with special filters that catch spores circulating in the air.

Spores that travel in on employees’ and customers’ shoes are likely to become lodged in carpets and rug fibers. Vacuum cleaners that have HEPA filters are able to capture mold spores rather than releasing them back into the air. Routine carpet cleaning also cuts down on the presence of spores.

3. Check Regularly for Signs of Mold

Catching mold growth before it expands into a large infestation is key to preventing serious damage. If you have mold covering a large area, you will likely need a professional restoration service. Small patches can often be taken care of by non-professionals. Keep an eye out for discoloration, warped building materials and peeling paint or wallpaper. Investigate musty odors and strange smells.

Although mold growth can cause severe damage to your business, it is possible to prevent many serious infestations by keeping the building clean and dry. If you spot mold growth, have it remediated as soon as possible to keep it from spreading.