Mold Prevention Tips for Humid Climates

9/6/2021 (Permalink)

Protect your Bountiful, UT, building from moisture to prevent mold damage.

It's hard enough to keep your commercial building free of the effects of high humidity, but is located in a particularly humid climate poses extra challenges. It's not an impossible task, though. The following tips can help you protect your building in Bountiful, UT, against all the moisture in the air outside.

How to protect your building from moisture

Ensure Proper Airflow Throughout Building

The simplest way to prevent mold damage is to keep the air flowing throughout the whole building. Your air conditioner plays a huge role in this step. There are several ways to ensure your AC works consistently well:

• Make sure the system you install is the right size for your building
• Keep doors and windows closed while it runs
• Set the unit to automatic and the temperature to 70 degrees
• Inspect and maintain the system regularly

Make sure that your air conditioner vents are not blocked by furniture or storage, particularly the intake vents. Install exhaust fans in areas, such as bathrooms, where moisture tends to build up. An environmental hygienist can also complete an air quality test to find areas where better ventilation is needed.

Implement a Regular Inspection and Cleaning Schedule

Spores in the air are attracted to both moisture and dirt. While mold can grow on any organic material, keeping your building clean and dry is a strong line of defense. During walkthroughs, look for condensation on windows, pipes, and concrete walls. The presence of excess moisture in these areas may indicate that you need better insulation. Have all the surfaces in your building cleaned and dried on a daily basis. A vacuum with a HEPA filter is the best choice for ensuring that dust and other particles that can exacerbate mold growth are removed from the carpet.

Keep Humidity Level Low

No matter how clean or cool your building is, high humidity can lead to mold damage. You want to aim for a humidity level of 50% or below. Start by looking for items in your building that could contribute to excess moisture in the air. For example, potted plants are a common culprit, but that doesn't mean you need to get rid of all your live greenery. You just need to add anti-mold ingredients to the water you add to the soil. In addition to ensuring proper ventilation and airflow, you can also purchase dehumidifiers for each room to lower humidity levels.

Use Mold-Resistant Materials

Even if you take every precaution, you could still end up needing mold cleanup from certified mitigation experts in a humid climate. That's because furniture, curtains, carpet, and other textiles are particularly prone to fungus growth. Consider trading in some of the items in your building with similar pieces that are made of mold-resistant materials. Plastic, glass, and metal all have non-porous surfaces that make it more difficult for mold to grow. Laminate flooring does not have the same spore-catching qualities that carpet does. The furnishings you use can aid in your battle against mold.

If your area is prone to high humidity, you must be extra vigilant to prevent mold in your commercial building. By following these tips, you may be able to avoid major problems.