Warning Signs of Mold in Your Facility
The economic costs of dampness and mold exceed $3.5 billion annually.
Whether you are undergoing water remediation after a weather event or dealing with possible mold issues due to a plumbing problem, mold is a serious issue for your facility.
Mold is one of many problems that impact the condition of your facility and can also have a health or safety impact on occupants or visitors, from employees to customers to residents. Health and safety measures in a facility are a heavy responsibility for any facility manager, and mold exposure is one such dangerous problem. Exposure to mold brings serious health risks, including asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Therefore, owners and managers of facilities should be aware of the signs that mold may have invaded the premises, beginning with the understanding that mold growth becomes highly probable in damp conditions. Mold can be effectively addressed and eradicated with the assistance of remediation professionals. However, it’s still important to learn to recognize the signs of mold as early as possible to limit its potential to spread and become a health hazard.
Below are the five most common signs of a mold problem in your facility.
Unpleasant or Unusual Smell
If your facility is impacted by mold, your nose may be the first to alert you to a problem. There may be a musty smell throughout the building or affected area. This smell is often present in the initial stage of a mold invasion, often before there are any visible signs of an issue. You won’t be able to see it at this stage, but you will smell it. The scent is often described as earthy, damp, or tangy, like wet socks or rotting wood. Depending on the type and severity of the mold blooms, the smell may be mild enough to be just musty or strong enough to be considered downright pungent. Suppose something does not smell right in your facility or a particular area. In that case, it is wise to consider the possibility of mold and look for other symptoms that typically accompany mold growth.
Musty odors are usually present in areas with moisture, which implies that mold may be coming from walls or ceilings exposed to water. The next step in inspecting your facility should be looking for other water damage or intrusion signs.
Visible Signs of Mold
Mold can appear differently depending on the type or the growth stage. Mold can be chalky white thread-like streaks, clusters of black spots and splotches, or shades of gray or green. Suppose the walls and ceilings of your facility are discolored, especially in damp or moist places. In that case, you might be affected by mold. It can be challenging to understand whether the discoloration of the walls is from mold exposure or another cause. Once you suspect that you might be dealing with a mold problem or are seeing any of the five most common signs (smell, appearance, water intrusion, excessive humidity, or health issues reported by occupants), it’s time to consult experts in mold identification, testing, and remediation.
Water Spots
Keep an eye out for standing water within your facility, especially in places such as bathrooms or low areas, including basements. Any amount of water left standing can increase the chances of mold growth. If you come across standing water or something that might be a water stain, perhaps in an area where walls meet the ceiling – a leaking roof may often be a source of water damage. Water damage may be near vents, pipes, or ducts around HVAC equipment or windows. Suppose you see signs of water damage or intrusion anywhere in your facility. In that case, you should not hesitate to contact an expert to evaluate and counteract the problem.
Excessive Humidity or Condensation
Moisture is also caused by excessive humidity, which can turn your facility into a mold-growth factory. Carefully monitor the humidity levels in your facility: once they reach 60% or above, the chances of mold increase drastically. Moisture often accumulates in less apparent areas than water damage from leaks. It may flourish under wallpaper, between ceiling tiles and roofing material, on the back of drywall, or under carpet and flooring. Suppose you know that humidity and condensation are a problem in your facility, and you are also experiencing any of the other common signs of mold included in this article. In that case, it’s probably time to consult an expert.
Health Issues
Mold can cause many health issues, from minor problems such as congestion and coughing to more severe reactions for those with allergies or immune issues. Mold exposure can lead to wheezing, asthma, lung infections, and pneumonitis. Suppose occupants of your facility are experiencing symptoms that may indicate the presence of mold. In that case, you are obligated to investigate as a facility manager. A qualified mold remediation specialist is best suited to help identify the presence of mold, mainly when there are no visible signs but other indicators, including smell or dampness, are present.
Suppose your facility is adjacent to another business or is located within a space where mold is an issue. In that case, it’s also possible that you may have mold. This is another circumstance in which, despite visible signs, facility managers should be concerned about or suspect mold in their facility.
How can Lakeside help?
Lakeside Project Solutions has years of experience managing facility mold remediation and water damage projects. As a facility manager, you must act quickly if you’ve discovered or suspected mold. Partnering with Lakeside means our project managers are there to handle every aspect of a mold remediation project, from testing when physical signs of mold are inconclusive to repairing the causes of mold, isolating the contaminated areas, removing contaminated materials, cleaning and repairing. Lakeside’s unique KPIs and predictive metrics allow Lakeside staff to mitigate adverse impacts and incurred costs by reducing time to remediation.
