As temperatures rise, the atmosphere becomes capable of holding more and more moisture, which essentially means that the hotter it is, the more humid it can become. And while humidity is mostly known for making people sweat, it can also have significant impacts on your commercial property.
If your building reaches a certain relative humidity—about 70%—your walls, flooring, ceiling and contents may begin to absorb some of the moisture, putting these materials at risk for mold. In fact, it only takes about 24 hours for a wet item to begin seeing microbial growth.
As a business, it’s essential to take the steps to prevent mold from growing within your property. If left unchecked, mold can cause significant structural damage, as well as physical symptoms for your employees and customers, such as respiratory issues and allergic reactions.
What Conditions Are Ideal for Mold Growth in a Building?
Mold thrives in dark, humid and warm environments. In general, if the relative humidity inside your commercial building is around 70%, you’re creating an ideal space for mold growth, so invest in a few quality dehumidifiers for your property if you live in a wet climate.
However, while optimal humidity is easy to maintain, keeping your space at an ideal temperature to inhibit mold growth will lead to discomfort for your employees or tenants. Mold has difficulty growing when conditions are below 40°F or above 100°F, making it nearly impossible to keep your property at an ideal temperature.
And as for darkness, the easiest thing to do is open any drapes you have in your building and let natural light wash over your property every day.
Will Opening a Window Help Prevent Mold Growth in My Building?
While allowing air to circulate throughout your commercial building can be positive, if it is very humid outside, you could be introducing even more moisture into your property. Be sure to check the weather before letting the fresh air in.
How To Prevent Mold From Growing in Your Commercial Property
As with anything involving your commercial property, a proactive approach to mold is always cheaper and more efficient than a reactive approach. Here are a few of our favorite tips for preventing microbial growth within your facility:
Use a dehumidifier to keep the relative indoor humidity at about 40-45%.
Use exhaust fans in relevant rooms, like kitchens and bathrooms.
Ensure your air conditioning system is the proper size for your building. If it’s too big or too small, it can cause excessive humidity.
Check that your building is properly insulated.
Inspect your ventilation system to make sure it is functioning properly.
What To Do if You Think Your Commercial Property Has Mold
If you think you may have mold, you must act quickly to address the source of the mold, solve the underlying issues leading to its growth and follow proper remediation procedures. However, doing this all yourself can be challenging and time-consuming. After all, if you don’t completely get rid of the mold and solve the moisture issues that led to the growth in the first place, it can return.
That’s why it’s always best to reach out to a professional restoration company. Cotton GDS offers comprehensive mold remediation and cleaning services to return your property to its original state, and we work with your team to deliver excellent results while minimizing business interruptions.
To get started today, contact us at 877-900-0493 or leave us a message through our form. A member of our team will reach out shortly to get you started on your restoration journey.