The presence of mold in a commercial building can be severely damaging. Any unattended build-up of moisture in your property can result in mold infestation. With its rapid growth, it can weaken your building structure, risk your liability, and even make your employees sick.
However, one of the best ways to keep all these problems at bay is to prevent mold growth in the first place. So, here are some precautionary measures and proactive steps you can take to keep your commercial building mold-free.
7 Mold Prevention Tips For Commercial Properties
1. Ensure regular mold inspection
Mold grows from hidden moisture buildup in places that may not be easy to notice. It can even be inside your walls too. That is why keeping an eye on your property with a regular inspection is crucial.
Hire professionals to look after your plumbing and other moisture-prone areas. They’ll detect any potential signs of mold and moisture damage at an early stage before it turns into mold growth.
2. Repair any leaks promptly
If you suspect or notice any signs of moisture or water leaks inside your office premises, you need to repair it quickly before it becomes problematic. If these leaks are ignored, the mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours.
Therefore, see if any roof defects are causing ceiling leaks or broken or cracked pipes cause leaks in the wall and have them repaired promptly. This will help tackle the issue in the initial state and keep mold growth at bay.
3. Waterproof the surfaces
Another way to prevent the chances of mold issues in your commercial space is to waterproof surfaces that are prone to moisture damage. Ensure proper and periodic sealing of your wooden floors, if any, as unsealed ones can soak moisture and form mold.
You can also waterproof your basement area and seal your furnishings with stain protectants. Moreover, adding mold inhibitors when painting and building moisture-prone areas (pantries and washrooms) with water-resistant materials will also help.
4. Ensure proper ventilation
Apart from inspecting for mold and waterproofing, proper ventilation can be a great way to prevent mold growth. Ensure proper air circulation throughout your office area to keep mold spores from settling.
Moreover, keep exhaust fans and dehumidifiers on, especially in the areas prone to water damage (such as pantry, breakrooms, and washrooms).
5. Maintain indoor humidity levels
Related to proper ventilation, it’s also crucial to maintain your indoor humidity levels to avoid mold infestation. That is especially applicable if you live in a climate that’s warm and humid. So, try to keep your indoor humidity levels below 60% to keep air moisture issues at bay.
Also, a well-functioning ventilation system will help you maintain the ideal humidity inside your commercial premises.
6. Keep HVAC systems clean
Although HVAC systems help keep your office area well-ventilated, the condensation they produce can cause hidden mold. If your system’s components like drain pans are not cleaned well, they too can leak moisture inside your property’s structure.
So, ensure to maintain your HVAC system and other moisture-generating appliances in a clean and well-kept state to prevent mold issues in the future.
7. Ensure thorough drying after cleaning
Another important, yet often ignored, mold prevention tip for your commercial building is related to cleaning. When you get your floors, carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces cleaned, make sure they are fully dry before being used.
Otherwise, any left-out moisture can seep into them and lead to hidden moisture and mold issues later. So, prioritizing proper extraction and drying after cleaning will keep mold issues miles away.
Summing Up
Mold can have damaging effects on your commercial property and so, prevention is way better than the cure. With some proactive measures like regular inspection, waterproofing, proper ventilation, and humidity control, you can easily prevent mold growth in your building.
