DOs and DON'Ts for Mold Removal in Your Warehouse
Floods, hurricanes, and natural disasters are bad for everyone. For those who own a business, the flood waters these disasters bring can lead to a significant loss in inventory. Not only can flooding in a warehouse lead to damaged goods, but failure to clean up water damage correctly can lead to further problems down the road — including mold growth. 
Where Does Mold Come From?
Dealing with a mold infestation is difficult, so it's best to prevent mold from growing in the first place. Before we explain how to avoid a mold issue, we must dive into where it comes from. The truth is, mold can pop up just about anywhere that there's a bit of moisture. Mold thrives in warm, damp environments, and the aftermath of flood waters creates the perfect breeding ground.
Mold growth can occur on various materials, especially porous ones. Warehouses often contain cardboard boxes, wooden surfaces, and other water-retentive materials. Not only that, but they tend to be kept at a warmer temperature, providing a stable environment for the mold even when the weather is changing.
What Makes Mold So Dangerous?
Mold growth can be hard to notice since it often originates in shady places or around leaky pipes and roofs, which people don't see very often. Since mold proliferates quickly, it's usually a full-blown infestation before anyone notices it.
Not only is mold ugly and hard to get rid of, but it can potentially cause health issues with repercussions for your employees or customers. Frequent or prolonged black mold exposure can cause symptoms including coughing, sneezing, skin irritation, wheezing, congestion, allergic reactions, and more. People with allergies or other pre-existing conditions are even more at risk.
Mold Prevention DOs and DON’Ts
DO: Understand what causes mold
Once you understand the common causes of mold and where it comes from, learning how to prevent it becomes a lot easier.
DO: Have a working HVAC system
A high-performing HVAC system can help. Clean ducts and regular filter changes helps the air circulate better, which reduces the risk of mold growth. You should also get your HVAC system cleaned regularly, even if no signs of mold are detected. Neglecting to do so can lead to particles like mold spores getting pushed back into circulation.
DO: Reduce humidity levels
Since moisture is the primary component mold needs to grow and thrive, reducing humidity levels in your warehouse is a must.
DO: Regularly check warehouses for excess moisture, leaky pipes, and signs of water damage.
Regularly check your warehouse or retail space for excess moisture, leaky pipes, and signs of water damage or potential mold growth. Mold doesn't usually start growing out in the open, so you'll have to actively look for the signs or possible causes rather than giving things a quick glance.
DO: Locate the source of any water damage and get it fixed
The longer water damage goes untreated, the worse it gets. If you let it sit long enough, it could even cause structural damage to your property.
DON’T: Neglect HVAC system cleanings and maintenance
A poorly maintained HVAC system and dirty vents in your warehouse or retail space can contribute to mold growth in your facility.
DON’T: Procrastinate removing excess moisture or repairing leaky pipes
If you discover excess moisture, water damage, or a leak, you must locate the source and repair it immediately before the situation worsens.
DOs and DON’Ts If You Discover Mold in Your Warehouse
DO: Deal with it ASAP
If you discover mold growth or a mold infestation in your warehouse, you must deal with it as soon as possible. Mold reproduces quickly, and the longer it goes unchecked the harder it will be to remediate.
DON’T: Come in contact with mold
Try your best to avoid coming in contact with the mold, but if you have no choice, wear rubber gloves, eye protection, pants, and long sleeves. Cover as much skin as possible. A respirator or face mask is also recommended.
DON’T: Assume there’s a DIY solution
Even residential mold issues should usually be left to the experts, and mold in commercial facilities can be even more problematic. If it's more than a small area, or if it is on a non-porous surface, mold removal and remediation should be left to the professionals. Mold problems at a warehouse can quickly become severe and potentially put more people at risk than a home mold infestation. 
DON’T Use Bleach
While bleach will fade surface mold, it will leave spores under the surface intact, and even feed them with the water contained within the bleach solution. Using bleach creates a false sense of security, and the mold is likely to come back stronger than ever.
DO: Call AdvantaClean to Fix Your Mold Problem
Once you’ve documented everything and contacted your insurance company, consult the mold remediation experts at AdvantaClean. It's vital to partner with professionals you can trust. When you call AdvantaClean, we can help you identify the source of the mold growth and then we will develop a remediation plan for your building. We will also set up a containment space to help ensure that the mold doesn’t spread to other areas of your facility.
Call AdvantaClean today at 877.800.2382 to address your mold issue right away.
