A mold inspection isn’t something that’s only applicable when you’re buying a home. If you’re starting a business or transferring your existing business to a new location, you will want to check that location for a number of things – mold included. Depending on the size of the building, the price of an inspection can vary. But is it absolutely necessary to have a mold inspection done? Is it worth the cost?
A mold inspection can be necessary for any number of reasons. We are going to explore those below and then tell you whom to turn to should you decide that you’d like to get a mold inspection done on your commercial property.
First things first – let’s take a look, specifically, at mold.
Mold/Fungus
Like all fungi, because it is a fungus, mold thrives in places that are moist. Single-celled, microscopic particles are emitted by mold. These are referred to as spores. That’s how it spreads. Until they land on a surface, they simply float around in the air. Both inside and outside, mold spores are everywhere. Without installing some big filtration system on an industrial level with which to clean the air in a room, it’s virtually impossible to get all mold spores removed from the atmosphere in a building.
Only if they land on a damp surface, however, can mold actually be formed by mold spores. The dryer you keep the inside of a facility, the less chance you have that mold will become a problem. By making sure that bathrooms and kitchens are properly vented (if you have full baths and kitchens in your commercial facility), repairing leaks in your HVAC, plumbing, and roof, and by cleaning up spills, you will be doing the best you can to prevent mold.
Is It That Big of a Deal?
Short answer: Yes! Mold is a big deal. There are a couple of basic reasons why your commercial facility should have mold clean up and removal if it is growing.
- It can aggravate asthma or allergies
- It can damage the surfaces upon which it grows
Is It Time for a Mold Inspection?
One of the best things about mold is that it is relatively easy to see. You can count on the fact that it’s growing and spreading spores if you can see mold in the corners and cracks of walls, floors, etc. However, in between your walls and in the ducts, places you can’t see, mold can also grow. In this case, it’s easy for detection to escape you.
If you notice the following, you should absolutely schedule a mold inspection:
- If you notice white, black, blue, or green stuff growing on surfaces. Remember, it may spread to more than just the surfaces you currently see.
- Following a mold problem. To make sure that your mold remediation got all of the mold, and to assure that it stays away, one good idea is to schedule regular mold inspections.
- If the building you’re moving your business into was unoccupied for an extensive amount of time. Mold may have been caused due to a build-up of humidity within an unoccupied building.
- Any time a new building is purchased, unless you’re informed of it, you can never be sure if water damage was ever a problem. Having a mold inspection will assure you that no mold exists; or if it does, you can get it taken care of right away.
What Can I Do about a Mold Problem in My Commercial Building?
Fortunately, if you are experiencing a mold problem in your building – or if you would simply like to schedule an inspection to be sure – it’s easy to contact and schedule a visit by the experts at Iris Environmental Laboratories. We also do asbestos testing.
If you’d like to find out more, click here.