Discovering mold in a commercial building should be addressed promptly. Whether mold is found in an office, warehouse, manufacturing facility, school, healthcare facility, or other commercial property, the first priority is determining where the moisture is coming from and how extensive the problem may be.
Mold growth is usually connected to excess moisture from roof leaks, plumbing problems, condensation, flooding, HVAC issues, or high indoor humidity. Simply cleaning visible mold without correcting the moisture source may allow the problem to return.
1. Identify the Source of Moisture
The first step is determining why mold is growing.
Check the affected area for roof or plumbing leaks, condensation, drainage problems, HVAC issues, water intrusion, or other sources of moisture. OSHA recommends promptly correcting water and moisture problems because controlling moisture is essential to preventing recurring mold growth.
Wet materials should also be addressed quickly. EPA guidance recommends drying wet, non-moldy materials within approximately 48 hours when possible to help prevent mold growth.
2. Determine How Extensive the Mold Problem Is
Visible mold may only represent part of the problem. Mold can sometimes grow behind drywall, above ceiling tiles, underneath flooring, around insulation, or inside other concealed areas.
A musty odor without obvious visible mold can also indicate a hidden moisture or mold problem.
Before beginning remediation, the extent of the affected area and the types of damaged materials should be evaluated. Larger or complicated problems may require assistance from an industrial hygienist or environmental health and safety professional.
3. Avoid Disturbing the Affected Area
Employees and maintenance personnel should avoid unnecessarily disturbing mold-contaminated materials.
Cutting, tearing out, sanding, or moving affected materials without proper procedures can spread mold spores and contaminated dust into other parts of the building.
Appropriate personal protective equipment, containment, and cleanup procedures should be considered before remediation begins.
4. Evaluate the HVAC System
If mold is discovered near air intakes, ductwork, air-handling equipment, or other HVAC components, additional precautions may be necessary.
A contaminated HVAC system can potentially distribute mold throughout other areas of a building. OSHA and EPA guidance advises against operating an HVAC system when it is known or suspected to be contaminated with mold until the situation has been properly evaluated.
5. Develop a Mold Remediation Plan
Mold remediation involves more than removing what is visible.
A remediation plan should address the source of moisture, affected building materials, appropriate containment, personal protective equipment, cleanup procedures, and steps to prevent contamination from spreading into occupied areas.
The appropriate approach depends on the size and complexity of the mold problem, the materials involved, building occupancy, and the source of the moisture.
6. Remove or Clean Mold-Damaged Materials
Some nonporous surfaces may be cleaned and dried, while porous materials with significant mold growth may need to be removed.
Drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation, carpeting, and similar porous materials can be difficult to completely clean when mold has grown into the material.
Simply applying a chemical that kills mold does not necessarily solve the problem. EPA notes that dead mold can still cause allergic reactions, which is why contaminated material must be properly cleaned or removed.
7. Protect Building Occupants and Employees
The health and safety of employees, tenants, customers, and remediation workers should be considered throughout the process.
Depending on the extent and location of contamination, portions of a building may need to be isolated during remediation. Larger projects may require containment systems and additional measures designed to prevent mold and contaminated dust from spreading.
Communication with building occupants can also be important, particularly during larger remediation projects.
8. Determine Whether Mold Testing Is Necessary
Mold sampling isn’t automatically required in every situation. When visible mold is present, the immediate priorities are typically identifying the moisture source, determining the extent of contamination, and developing an appropriate remediation plan.
However, professional assessment or sampling may be useful in certain situations, such as suspected hidden mold, complicated indoor air quality concerns, larger commercial properties, or situations where additional information is needed to develop or evaluate a remediation plan.
Sampling should be performed and interpreted by professionals experienced with mold and indoor environmental assessments.
9. Correct the Underlying Problem
One of the most important steps is making sure the moisture problem has actually been corrected.
Repair leaking roofs and pipes, correct drainage problems, address condensation, evaluate HVAC performance, and control indoor humidity where necessary.
If the source of moisture remains, mold can return even after extensive cleanup.
10. Verify the Area After Remediation
After remediation, the affected area should be inspected to make sure the moisture source has been corrected and mold-damaged materials have been properly addressed.
EPA guidance indicates that visible mold, mold-damaged materials, and moldy odors should no longer be present after successful remediation. The property should also be monitored for signs that moisture or mold is returning.
When Should You Call an Indoor Air Quality Professional?
Commercial mold problems can become complicated when contamination covers a large area, involves HVAC equipment, results from significant water damage, occurs in occupied areas, or may be hidden inside the building.
An industrial hygiene or indoor air quality professional can help evaluate the extent of the problem, investigate potential moisture sources, develop remediation recommendations, and provide oversight when appropriate.
Commercial Mold and Indoor Air Quality Services
Hygieneering provides indoor air quality, mold assessment, industrial hygiene, and environmental health and safety services for commercial and industrial facilities throughout Chicago, Northern Illinois, and Southern Wisconsin.
If you’ve discovered mold, experienced water damage, noticed persistent musty odors, or have concerns about indoor air quality in your facility, addressing the issue early can help prevent a smaller moisture problem from becoming a larger building concern.
Contact Hygieneering to discuss your commercial building and determine the appropriate next steps for evaluating mold and indoor air quality concerns.