Signs of Commercial Mold Damage and What to Do About It

8/15/2017 (Permalink)

Signs of Commercial Mold Damage and What to Do About It

Mold is a fungus that commonly grows in damp spaces. There are many types of mold, including mildew and black mold, which is also known as Stachybotrys chartarum. Left unattended, this mold can lead to dry rot and reduce the air quality within the building. Even before mold growth leaves a visible sign of its presence, it emits a smelly odor. As the mold grows, the smelly odor is accompanied by what appears to be stains or discoloration to wood, siding, sheetrock, or other building materials. The really disheartening fact about mold damage is the home or business owner may never see the mold growth at all. Mold growth behind walls frequently leads to smelly odor and mold damage, such as dry rot.

Mold Environment

Mold grows in a moist environment. Some common causes of mold include:

Flood damage
Leaky pipes, windows, or roof
Clogged gutters
Water left standing
Too much humidity
Condensation
Poorly maintained air conditioners


The optimal mitigation against mold is prevention. Home and business owners must maintain proper humidity levels and eliminate the causes of a moist location. Unfortunately, not every event can be anticipated. Floods, for example, are a prime cause of mold growth that cannot be prevented.

Severity of Mold in Home or Business

Mold in a home or business is no laughing matter, once this fungus begins to grow, it can quickly spread. Mold releases spores that float through the air, so it is easy for mold in the basement to spread to the rest of the building. This is especially true if do-it-yourself mold removal goes awry.

The Best Remediation Solution

The best way to remediate mold damage is hire a commercial mold damage restoration company to analyze the type of mold present, such as black mold and mildew. They will then provide mold removal services customized to the specific mold damage and provide deodorization of the smelly odor that accompanies mold in the home or business. The use of a commercial mold damage restoration company is vital, especially when mold growth behind the wall is suspected. Some mold growth can go on for years before it is discovered, and releasing that many fungus spores into the air can exacerbate the problem. Remediation specialists are equipped to remove and repair the damage from this fungus with minimal harmful exposure to inhabitants.

Mold Mitigation Steps

Often remediation and mitigation are interchangeable terms for the identification and resolution of a mold problem. A commercial mold damage restoration company typical takes the following steps to resolve mold issues:

Identify the type of mold or mildew
Assess extent of mold coverage
Determine the source of moisture feeding the mold growth
Create remediation plan for mold removal with minimal spore contamination, moisture removal, and damage repair, including steps for deodorization of musty smell
Complete the actual work, including cleaning or replacing building materials affected by dry rot, mildew, or black mold
Ensure that the mold in the home or business has been completely eradicated

Interim Steps

If a home or business owner sees dry rot, black mold, or mildew, he might be tempted to attempt mold removal. During remodeling, mold growth behind a wall might be identified as well. While the temptation might be to mitigate the damage personally, the better solution is to contain the spores and step away until a commercial mold damage restoration company can go in and make sure the mold spores are removed safely and thoroughly, as well as provide a thorough deodorization. This is especially true in remodeling. If all the mold growth behind wall is not properly treated, the problem can regrow and remain in the building forever.

Conclusion

Mold is a fungus that can infect a building and cause structural damage as well as lower the air quality for its inhabitants. The best way to provide thorough mitigation of the problem is to hire a professional who is trained in safely identifying and removing the mold, as well as repairing structural damage. They will also remove the smelly odor that accompanies a mold infestation with commercial deodorization.
Visit http://www.SERVPROclearlake.com for more information on mold.