Mold is common in nature and usually is not a cause for worry. Mold growth in a building can make people sick, and sensitize them to future mold exposure. As a result, active mold growth should not be tolerated in an occupied commercial building.
There are basic construction factors that make commercial buildings different than homes. Commercial buildings are larger and have less exposure to sub-grade conditions. The finishes are usually rated for constant wear and tear, and are thereby more resistant to moisture damage. The mechanical equipment for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) is usually large enough to provide comfort for large occupant populations and often delivers fresh air changes.
As a result, in most cases something has to go wrong to generate mold activity. This could be something as dramatic as flooding from Hurricane Sandy or as mundane as a plumbing leak in the men’s 2nd floor bathroom. Cause and origin assessment is usually straight forward.
The inspection approach must therefore take into account the specifics of the water issue and a determination of the finishes that were affected. Frequently the damage is localized and can be addressed by reasonably simple maintenance actions. This approach is described in virtually all of the existing industry standards.
When the inspection is completed, the inspector should have enough information to perform intelligent testing. We focus on source materials, those items like carpet or insulation that are suspected to harbor mold activity. Air samples are a poor diagnostic tool but are frequently useful in responding to occupant concerns. It is comforting to be able to conclude that, yes there was a water loss, and no it did not have an appreciable impact on the air quality in the area.
Part of our usefulness is to introduce calmness and science to what can be a distressing situation for the building occupants. We will help you determine whether there is significant mold, and if so, prescribe straight-forward, effective ways to eliminate it. That is what we do.
If you see mold in your building or if you suspect you might have hidden mold, give us a call at 609.371.2489. We will help you determine whether there is significant mold, and if so, prescribe straight-forward, effective ways to eliminate it. That is what we do.
At AIR Consulting Services, LLC, we have the training and the experience to not only find and solve your mold problem but also to make sure it doesn’t come back. We know the science behind mold, so we are able to not just find it but also determine why it grew in the first place. To read more about the inspection process click here.
