When it comes to mold, the first thing you should know is that it doesn’t discriminate. In other words, it is just as likely to grow inside your home as it is in your commercial building. The difference is that, as a commercial property owner, you may be held liable for unsafe conditions. If you own property and recently discovered mold, don’t wait. Call a commercial mold restoration company ASAP!
Common Causes of Mold in Commercial Properties
Regardless of whether it’s at home or a commercial property, mold needs the right environment to develop and continue to grow. This includes moisture, humidity, and a food source. As such, one of the most common causes of mold growth in commercial properties is the result of water damage.
Water damage can have many causes not limited to severe storms, floods, and burst pipes. When situations like these occur, it can lead to mold growth in as little as 24 hours if left untreated. For example, if your building’s pipes burst over the weekend but you don’t realize it until Monday morning, you’ve likely already had mold growing for the past 24-48 hours.
Once mold does develop due to water damage and subsequent moisture in the air, it needs a food source. Fortunately for mold, it can thrive on almost any surface, giving it ample food sources. Unfortunately for you, that means you’re likely to encounter mold on your ceiling tiles, floorboards, wallpaper, paint, and even countertops.
Common Signs of Mold Growth to Look For
Now that you know how mold develops, let’s go over the most common signs of it. In some cases, the signs of mold can go unnoticed, especially if it develops in an area that doesn’t get a ton of traffic. Common examples might be your building’s basement or storage closets.
By recognizing the signs of mold growth in your commercial property, you can treat it sooner. Be on the lookout for:
- Foul, musky odors, especially if they exist in one particular room
- Wet wooden structures or ceiling tiles, as this shows the presence of potential water damage
- Spongey floorboards
- Groupings of black spots
Because mold is often dark in color, it can sometimes be mistaken for dirt and go untreated. If you’re not sure it’s mold, try wiping it away. Does it wipe off easily? It’s dirt. Does it show resistance? If so, it’s mold. Keep in mind that mold can also be in other shades like gray, green, white, and even orange.
What to Expect from the Commercial Mold Restoration Process
Once you notice mold, the first thing you should do is contact a mold restoration company. The sooner you call, the sooner you can treat the mold. Before the remediation process can begin, your technician will conduct an inspection. This is done for a few reasons.
First, the inspection helps your tech identify the type of mold. There are hundreds of thousands of species of mold. So identifying what kind it is can help them determine the best course of treatment.
The second reason is that mold usually is the result of a bigger problem that must first be rectified; for example, a burst pipe or a leaky water heater. If the mold is simply treated without addressing what caused it, you’ll continue to run into problems. After the main causes are addressed, then your technician will treat the mold.
While many household cleaners claim to be able to clean mold, they really can only do so at the surface. Trained restoration companies have cleaners that are specifically designed to kill mold spores. Once the mold is treated, your technician will disinfect the area. They’ll remove any traces of mold so you, your tenants, or your staff can breathe easier.
After all, if left untreated, mold can easily trigger allergy symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and skin irritations. If any of your tenants or staff have respiratory conditions, the presence of mold will only serve to aggravate their existing symptoms.
When you have mold, it’s your duty as a commercial property owner to get it remedied promptly. One call to us will do the trick.
Contact PNW Restoration to Schedule Your Commercial Mold Restoration Appointment Today and Enjoy a Cleaner Environment Tomorrow
Commercial mold restoration offers the same results as traditional remediation services conducted at a private residence. As a commercial property owner, you want to ensure that you are providing a safe environment for all who enter your premises. If you found mold, don’t wait to give the team at PNW Restoration a call.
Our commercial mold restoration services can take the responsibility of dealing with it by yourself off your shoulders. We’re proud to offer restoration services to commercial business owners in Portland, Aloha, and beyond. Contact us today at (503) 352-5209 to schedule your commercial mold restoration appointment.
