Mold Safety and Prevention

5/8/2023 (Permalink)

What happens when walls are blocked by boxes and items during a water damage loss.

Microscopic yet aggressive, these diminutive agents of decay are capable of causing rapid structural damage and can be difficult to detect. Maintaining a low-humidity interior to prevent moisture problems and taking immediate action to inhibit fungal growth after a flooding event are essential for avoiding potentially devastating restoration or remodeling steps.

Why Is Mold Such a Serious Structural Problem? High indoor humidity is the most common causes of black mold growth. When moisture levels meet low-airflow interiors, most porous building materials become an easy target of infestation, including drywall, insulation, hardwood flooring and of course carpeting. While many commercial buildings created after the 1970s have been designed to accommodate high-humidity environments, prevention and maintenance remain key. Common signs that your building may be at high risk for black mold growth include:

• Roofs, soffits or other exterior portions of the building material that consistently leak

• Poorly maintained fire sprinkling systems that drip

• Indoor humidity levels that are consistently over 60 percent

• Standing water or frequent indoor condensation

• Lack of thorough ventilation

• Poorly maintained HVAC equipment

• Distinctive, musty odor