Dry, Arid Locales Don’t Mean Mold Won’t Grow

6/21/2021 (Permalink)

No matter where you live, mold is a part of the natural world. Even in dry, arid locales, such as San Mate, CA, more than 1,000 species can be found outdoors and indoors. While outdoor mold is beneficial in breaking down organic matter, finding black mold in your business can be overwhelming.

Mold 101

One shared trait of any type of mold is that they don’t need sunlight to grow. Unfortunately, they only need four things to flourish:

• A viable spore
• Nutrients from organic materials
• Moisture
• Warm, humid temperatures
  
  

Once those conditions are met, mold can grow just about anywhere. If your business has an attic, basement or area that is dark and damp, even if the conditions outside are hot, the inside might have created the perfect environment for black mold to grow. Although some mold is always present, keeping it at a reasonable level means staying on top of any form of water issue.

Prevention Tips
While mold cleanup is best left to mold remediation and restoration specialists, business owners can make a difference in preventing the growth from happening in the first place. Controlling moisture and immediately responding to any water damage issues are the top ways to minimize a loss and prevent a spore from colonizing. Additional tips include:

• Immediately repair any plumbing leak.
• Regularly inspect the property for wet spots or condensation.
• Maintain humidity levels below 60%.
• Ensure HVAC drip plans are unobstructed and properly flowing.
• Vent appliances that generate moisture, such as dryers, outdoors.
• Verify that the area around the building properly slopes away from the foundation.
• Identify areas of former leaks and ensure a proper repair is completed.
  
  

While a warm, dry climate may seem the opposite of where black mold would grow, the right conditions can lead to an unwelcome infestation. By thinking ahead and quickly addressing any moisture issues, you can prevent damage from spreading.

To schedule a service call, contact SERVPRO of San Mateo today at (650) 931-6060. 

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