Be Proactive and “Break the Mold”

(Prevent Mold and Keep Your Facilities Safe and Healthy)

To put it mildly, mold can be a major problem in your facilities if you are not regularly checking areas for moisture.

Within this blog post we will explore a few important aspects of mold that you should call your attention to.

We will look at 3 specific problem areas for mold:

  • HVAC systems
  • Carpet
  • Water leaks

The Dangers of Mold in Your Facilities

Across the board, mold is poisonous and dangerous for all occupants. Mold is also a major contributor to Sick Building Syndrome, so it pays off to have mold-prevention safeguards in place.

Exposure to damp environments – the environment bacteria loves to thrive in – may lead to various respiratory illnesses and symptoms that range from headaches to more threatening cases of infection – like Aspergillosis –  and even pulmonary hemorrhages.

They may also contribute to serious allergic reactions for anyone who breathes in the spores. The risks and complications that accompany mold are definitely too serious to ignore.

Check Your Ventilation, Air Ducts, and Air Filtration System to Prevent Moisture Buildup

Having efficient ventilation in place can minimize moisture from building up in your facilities, but ironically, a common place to find mold is in the very ventilation systems that are meant to filter and circulate clean air.

This means that regular cleaning of air vents and ducts are an important measure in preventing mold. Because a HVAC system may leak vapors and contribute to consistent condensation, the environment may be ripe for mold.

The EPA has a great article on the importance of cleaning air ducts in homes. It is applicable to commercial buildings as well, so monitoring for mold in your facilities should start in those high moisture areas.

If we cut-to-the-chase, making sure your HVAC system is working properly and not leaking should be the most important takeaway. If done consistently, cleaning and removing mold becomes less of a potential issue.

Carpets: A Potential Problem Area for Mold

If you have installed carpets in high foot traffic areas, make sure you are conscious of the potential for water pooling. While this is a less common concern, especially if you are utilizing floor mats, but moisture can seep under carpet and lead to mold over time.

It’s a solid best practice to avoid installing carpet near drinking fountains or other areas that may experience water leaks or consistent moisture.

Check for Water Leaks!

You should consider checking for water leaks as part of a regular checklist. This way you can be proactive about any areas that are high in moisture or have leaks.

Ceiling tiles, wallboards near the floor, and foundational areas of your building can harbor leaks, so be sure to incorporate them into your daily or weekly checklist of places to monitor.

Another potential problem area that gets a lot of regular moisture and can become a breeding ground for mold are the floors of your restrooms and showers. To prevent mold from growing on your floors, implement a regular routine with your machine floor scrubbers.

Leaks happen, they’re part of our commercial building world, if you do have leaks, make sure you are detecting leaks before they contribute to mold.

Connect with us!

Put Service by Medallion to work for you. For more information on this topic, or help with any building cleaning and operating need, contact a Service By Medallion Business Solutions Specialist at (650) 625-1010.

International Facility Management Association (IFMA) logo CREW Network logo Acterra logo Association of Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) logo BOMA International logo CoreNet Global logo
Visit our COVID-19 resource page and learn about the Services we provide.Learn More
+