There are many things to love about Athens, Georgia, but the humidity isn’t one of them. High humidity poses a significant danger to property and human health because it contributes to mold growth. Once mold develops, it causes superficial and structural damage to your commercial building. When that occurs, professional mold remediation provides the only effective response.
What to Know About Georgia’s Mold Remediation Laws
The state of Georgia hasn’t enacted specific laws regarding testing and treatment for mold. As a commercial building owner, you can take advantage of the resources published by federal agencies.
For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a mold guide on its website. The guide tells commercial property owners everything they should know about treating and preventing mold.
How Georgia’s Building Codes Affect Moisture Control and Mold Growth
Even though Georgia doesn’t have laws in place regarding mold remediation, the state does regulate moisture control in commercial buildings. Since humidity and moisture are essential factors that lead to mold growth, every commercial property owner must take steps to alleviate these conditions.
Reduce humidity in your building by improving ventilation. A commercial HVAC system acts as a dehumidifier, and that can help circulate the air more effectively. If your building has a crawlspace, consider encapsulation to prevent ground moisture from damaging your foundation. Sump pumps and supplementary drainage systems can keep your property from flooding during the rainy season.
How Insurance Companies Address Damage Related to Mold Growth
An annual review of your building’s insurance coverage is essential. It will refresh your memory and remind you that mold prevention is essential because most insurers don’t cover damages caused by mold.
Even if the damage in your claim wasn’t the result of mold, the mere existence of fungal growth on your property can result in a claim denial. For that reason, keeping strict control over humidity and moisture leads to future protection and savings.
Preventing and Treating Mold
Rather than waiting for mold to become a problem, follow these suggestions to keep your commercial property protected.
Control Moisture and Humidity in Your Commercial Building
In addition to using a commercial HVAC system, installing industrial fans in problem areas can help reduce humidity in your building. Control indoor moisture with good building maintenance. Regular roof inspections, prompt plumbing repairs, and clean drainage systems will all help keep moisture at a minimum.
After taking these steps, some property owners find that humidity and moisture remain consistent issues. Taking advantage of professional mold prevention can help you find the causes contributing to excessive humidity and moisture.
Draft a Mold Remediation Plan
Even when you follow good mold prevention tips, the tropical Georgia climate can still lead to mold growth. Create an actionable mold remediation plan for your staff to follow.
A good mold remediation plan must include the following information:
- Contact information for professional mold remediation providers
- Employee responsibilities for dealing with on-site mold
- Steps for containing and removing the mold
- Regular maintenance tasks designed to prevent mold
- Established lines of communication for the mold remediation process
You may need to modify these points to address your specific circumstances. Feel free to customize your mold remediation plan for your building type and industry. For example, a response plan for an industrial facility will differ from a retail store’s response plan.
Rely on Professional Mold Remediation in Athens, GA
If you take the time to properly train your staff, you can depend on your own employees for minor mold remediation. Make sure they have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to do the job safely and provide the right tools to remove or clean the mold-affected surfaces.
Heavier mold or more widespread mold requires the expertise of a professional remediation service. Experts in mold remediation have the PPE, equipment, and experience necessary to thoroughly remove advanced mold.
Diligent Building Maintenance Is Essential
There’s a strong relationship between water and mold. This is why keeping up with building maintenance is a vital part of any prevention strategy. Even a minor plumbing leak can be sufficient to cause water damage to organic materials. Once wood, drywall, or insulation suffers water damage, it won’t take long for mold to develop.
Use regular building instructions to catch issues early. Consistent maintenance and prompt repairs remove the elements necessary for mold and mildew growth.
Take a Proactive Approach to Protect Against Mold Growth
Mold growth won’t come as an unpleasant surprise if you take steps to address humidity and moisture. Following these recommendations to prevent mold growth and creating an efficient response plan will help you save on unnecessary building maintenance costs. You’ll also maintain a safer environment for your staff, visitors, and customers.
Rely on Experienced Mold Remediation Services
It’s important to trust mold treatment to a company that offers proven commercial and residential mold remediation. Professionals will respond promptly to your need for remediation, helping you minimize structural damage and health risks in your commercial facility.
Whether you’ve recently discovered mold growth or need a mold inspection, knowing who to call should be a central part of your response plan.
