6 Signs You Might Have Mold In Your Commercial Property

It’s a moment no business owner looks forward to: stepping inside their property days after a heavy rain and noticing a discoloration on their walls. Mold can lead to a plethora of problems and plenty of costly repairs—that’s why learning to spot these spores so early is important.

What is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that can grow in any environment with the presence of moisture, such as your walls, ceiling, or on food that has been left for a while. This fungus poses a serious problem, as it can eat whatever surface it is on.

What types of mold can be found in your commercial property?

There are a variety of mold types that can be found, such as alternaria, aspergillus, aureobasidium, chaetomium, cladosporium, fusarium, penicillium, stachybotrys chartarum, serpula lacrymans, trichoderma, and ulocladium. Each can form in different conditions and areas of your property and cause a myriad of health issues—not just for you, but for your employees.

How does Mold Grow?

Mold could potentially start to grow about a day or two after moisture is present, but it does depend on a couple of factors such as:

  • If there are sources of moisture, such as a water leak in a pipe or other humid conditions, then it greatly promotes the growth of mold.
  • It depends on how dark your property is. If you don’t have much sunlight coming through, it encourages mold growth as mold can thrive in dark conditions, whereas light can stop it from growing.
  • Mold loves warm temperatures, so the colder your property is, the lower your chances of mold growth.
  • It needs to have a place to grow, such as on your drywall or wood floors.

Why Does Mold Grow?

There are a variety of reasons why mold grows, but it really depends on the amount of moisture present, the air ventilation, and the humidity level throughout your property. If these conditions aren’t properly maintained, then it promotes the growth of mold

What are the signs that you might have mold in your commercial property?

Something Doesn’t Smell Right

If there’s a bad smell throughout your property, then it may be a sign that there is mold present. In general, if it smells like mold, then it’s probably mold. It’s a smell that’s hard to mistake, one that’s a mixture of stale, dusty, and damp. It’s critical that it be stopped as soon as possible because it may lead to health complications, especially if it continues to spread.

You Actually See The Spores or Just Stains

This one’s obvious: if you see the mold spores, then there’s something there. Worst of all, it likely means that there is a lot of mold present already. You should call a mold remediation service provider immediately before it continues to spread. In some cases, you might just see stains on your wall that don’t look like spores and these should be checked as well—it’s not normal to see a stain appear on your wall and it likely indicates another issue.

Constant Floods

If your property is constantly getting flooded and you’ve fixed it or have figured out a way to get rid of the water, then you’ll definitely want to get it checked for mold. If the water wasn’t completely cleared out, there may be mold forming in the flooded areas and you’ll want to make sure to stop it before it grows and turns into a major problem.

Breathing Issues & Flu Symptoms

Although you might have something else going on, these symptoms could also be caused by mold in your property. Of course, you’ll want to check with your doctor first, but if you already suspect that there may be mold for any reason, and you’re having issues breathing or flu symptoms out of nowhere, then it might be mold contributing to the problem.

Allergies Inside the Property

If you begin to experience allergies while you’re at work, but not while you’re outside, then mold might be the culprit. Mold can make your allergic reactions appear rather quickly. Again, it’s always safe to get it checked by a doctor, but it also might be worth an investigation into a potential mold problem.

Condensation Issues

If you have a lot of condensation coming into your building, then there is a high chance that mold may be growing—or will soon start. If you’re looking for a way to combat this issue, then a dehumidifier might help reduce the amount of condensation.

If you suspect that mold is beginning to grow or has grown quite a bit already, then it is critical that you call a mold remediation company as soon as possible. At HAGGERTY, we have years of experience dealing with mold removal and can help you resume your business operations.

Contact us or call us at 209-475-9898 today to book an appointment with one of our service representatives.