4 Signs You Might Have Mold in Your Building

Have you walked into the office lately and smelled something a little odd? Or is there a dark spot on a back wall that’s got you wondering what is going on? There are a lot of signs that could point to potential mold growth in your Bakersfield-area business, and a simple test can confirm or deny your suspicions.

So if you think you might have a mold problem, be on the lookout for these potential warning signs:

1. A noticeable musty, unpleasant odor

Have you ever walked into a vacant home or building and were instantly hit by the smell of mildew and dust? Similar smells like that in your home or office could be another indication of mold growth. In fact, a moldy smell can be one of the very best signs of mold growing in places you cannot see.

2. Visible evidence

Sure, a full black wall in a storage room is a pretty good sign you have a mold issue. However, it can be easy to overlook much smaller signs of mold growth. For example, a small, discolored spot on a wood beam or basement wall could just look like dirt or soot. The unfortunate truth is a small spot like this can quickly spread mold spores throughout the space through the air and duct systems. That’s why it is very important that if you see even the smallest sign of mold, you should call in a professional to check it out immediately. The sooner you have it checked out, the sooner you get the all clear or the sooner you can get it properly removed before it causes health problems and spreads.

3. Health & allergy problems

Mold can actually change the air quality inside your business. A lot has changed with the World Health Organization first started talking about Sick Building Syndrome in the 1980s. At the time, it was believed people grew ill because of indoor air quality issues in water-damaged buildings. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that a mold expert told WHO those illnesses were more likely the result of toxic mold in a structure.

Today, we call that illness Chronic Inflammatory Disease, or CIRS. Believe it or not, it is linked to your genes. People suffering from CIRS are genetically predisposed to be sensitive to mold. That means four people in your home could feel completely fine while a fifth person is very ill from hidden mold growth.

4. Water problems

Have you recently had a water leak, floor, or other moisture-related problems in your business? When water problems are not properly taking care of, mold can grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours in the effected spaces. Plus, once mold growth begins, if the mold spores become airborne, they can begin traveling through the air and duct systems, expanding your problem.

If you suspect mold in your business, set up a time for Alert Restoration to do an easy test to figure out if there are mold spores are present or not. From there, we can come up with a game plan to get rid of the mold, and you, your employees and customers breathing easy again.