The presence of mold at your workplace can trigger allergies and respiratory illnesses among your coworkers, as well as cause structural damage to the building itself. In today’s post, mold restoration company Special Touch Restoration shares an overview of how mold growth at the workplace can be prevented, and what can be done if it’s already happening. 

What Causes Mold Growth?

Mold spores are present everywhere in small, harmless amounts. When these spores land on a moist surface, they may begin to grow. If the surface happens to be made of organic matter such as sheetrock, fabric or paper, mold may digest the surface it’s growing on. Mold will release more spores into the air as it spreads to other areas, resulting in a telltale odor.

Common Workplace Areas That Allow Mold Growth

The following are some of the most common workplace areas where you’re likely to find mold:

Unused office spaces. Empty cubicles and storage rooms are favorable to mold growth because, in addition to access to moisture and oxygen, they’re out of sight. Mold can grow in these areas without anyone noticing.

Basements. Basements are generally more humid than the rest of the building, which makes it favorable towards mold growth. One of the reasons why basement water damage has to be handled by professionals is because excess moisture has to be fully removed — lingering moisture can let mold grow sight unseen.

Kitchens and bathrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms are the areas that have the highest humidity levels, and are also the busiest, which means the people working and using these areas are more likely to overlook signs of mold growth.

Prevention

Your first and most important step against mold growth is regular and thorough inspections, and have a response plan in case signs of mold and water leaks are found. Install hygrometers to monitor humidity levels. Make sure that all areas are properly ventilated and repair HVAC leaks to avoid contamination between areas. Kitchens and other areas with downtime hours should be cleaned thoroughly after business hours.

If you need help with mold removal or other problems such as getting rid of water in crawl space, call Special Touch Restoration at (256) 330-4822 or (251) 512-1424. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.