Commercial mold damage is one of the biggest hazards your business can face. Considering all of the time and energy it takes to shut down operations to fully mitigate the presence of mold, your bottom line can be severely affected by this harmful fungus.

To understand how mold grows and spreads through your property, and what you can do about it, read in to learn what you need to prevent a commercial mold damage disaster.

How Does Mold Invasion Start?

Mold is a fungus that can be found just about everywhere. Mold appears in a wide variety of forms, with some types being black, purple, or orange in color.

When microscopic mold spores settle in and begin to multiply as a colony, some of its spores become airborne. In small quantities, these spores are not normally harmful; however, when they find a space that supports growth (typically moist and dark environments), the spore attaches to surfaces and begins to propagate rapidly. As the colony expands, spores at the edges break off and return to the air to repeat the process elsewhere.

Given large concentrations of mold in the air, the fungus enters your body through your lungs and on the skin. With prolonged exposure, a serious mold invasion will affect air quality and eventually cause your staff or customers to become severely sick.

What Are the Most Common Signs of Mold Damage?

If you have had any of the following issues recently, your commercial property could be at risk for mold damage:

  • Flooding or water damage
  • Leaks in or around the building (ie. burst pipes, leaking HVAC systems)
  • Musty odors in the building
  • Discoloration or water stains on the walls or ceilings

If you suspect or are unsure if your business is contaminated by mold, ServiceMaster by CME works with nationally-recognized testing facilities to provide comprehensive mold inspection services. With accurate laboratory analysis and comprehensive remediation, we can identify and eliminate the source of what has caused the mold for overall peace of mind.

Health Problems Caused By Mold

The following are the most common health problems associated with exposure to mold:

  • Breathing and respiratory problems
  • Aggravation of asthma symptoms
  • Sinusitis (the inflammation of the sinus cavities)
  • Skin irritation and infections
  • Unexplainable headaches
  • Persistent sore throats
  • Moderate to severe allergic reactions
  • And more

Preventing the Growth and Spread of Mold

  • Wipe down all affected surfaces to pick up more mold spores instead of dusting or vacuuming, which can spread spores.
  • Add exhaust fans to speed up the drying process after using lots of water or liquid cleaners.
  • Bleach or baking soda are effective ways to stop mold growth before it begins.
  • Reusable mop heads may become traps for mold, so be sure to thoroughly wash, sanitize, and dry them between uses and cleaning efforts between areas.
  • Wipe up any condensation around doors and windows to prevent the start of mold from traveling along with the window frame or wallboard.
  • Using UV light kills mold in an unoccupied room. However, be sure to not use it in a space where there are plants or animals.
  • Sanitize the drains and gutters inside and outside your property with an annual treatment to minimize the amount of mold.

Take Action Immediately After a Flood

If you have spotted black mold in and around your business, our technicians will perform a professional removal to maintain the safety of your work environment. Contact our commercial mold damage experts today to get a quote for services.