June 30, 2024
Maximizing Energy Efficiency: Tips for Sustainable Commercial Building Design
Commercial buildings serve as significant energy consumers in urban environments, powering essential operations like
A well-constructed building is durable enough to withstand changing weather conditions and extreme temperatures. Yet, certain factors can cause roof and water leaks, resulting in humidity intrusion and mold formation over time.
If left untreated, mold weakens the structure of the building and threatens the health of its occupants. When you find yourself in this situation, time is of the essence to avoid further damage. Therefore, it’s best to call commercial mold removal experts who can deal with the issue thoroughly, restore your building, and protect the residents.
Severe flooding brings a copious amount of water into a building, affecting structural components like roofs, walls, pipes, and carpets. Since most of these surfaces are built with porous materials like drywall or concrete, they absorb humidity and create a breeding ground for mold. Not dealing with the damage after a flood immediately leads to the proliferation of mold and makes removal and disinfection more challenging.
Unfortunately, not all commercial buildings are constructed with top-quality materials. A single construction mistake or poorly-built layer is susceptible to environmental damage, making walls leak water and facilitating mold formation.
For instance, not sealing the seams between drywall panels correctly creates a passage for water to enter. The material below a wall´s foundation also expands or shrinks due to changes in temperature and humidity levels. As a result, walls can crack and allow for mold growth.
Well-ventilated rooms help keep humidity in check while ridding the place of damaging air particles. Commercial buildings with kitchens or many bathrooms must make this feature a priority to ensure the safety of occupants and improve service quality. Not constructing a room with proper ventilation traps bacteria inside and dampens the air, creating the perfect environment for mold to form.
Roofs are comprised of different layers that provide protection and stability. However, when one of the components isn’t built properly, water enters the property, and mold settles in your walls, floors, and furniture. The drainage system can clog with debris and dirt, letting water accumulate on the roof and causing interior water leakage. Inadequately constructed insulation also leaves a commercial building vulnerable to water damage during heavy storms and humid days.
Finally, having a leak in a section of the piping system can make water seep through nearby surfaces and damage a commercial building. A leaking pipe can ruin the structure and components of commercial property and lead to water damage and mold proliferation in less than 48 hours.
Regardless of the source, not addressing a mold problem immediately can have devastating consequences for the building and its inhabitants.
Repeated exposure to mold can be highly detrimental to people working or living in a commercial building. When these spores enter the lungs and bloodstream, health effects can range from sneezing and coughing to shortness of breath, headaches, and fatigue.
Mold is especially damaging to the health of people with preexisting conditions or compromised immune systems, such as asthma patients or the elderly. Therefore, owners of buildings in healthcare and senior living sectors should pay close attention to mold appearance and deal with the situation immediately.
Aside from risking the health and well-being of residents, mold sickness can also lead to a decrease in productivity, which can have terrible consequences on commercial properties like office spaces, hospitals, and municipal buildings.
In addition to the health risks it poses, mold can decrease the value of your building and result in costly repairs. Unchecked mold infestation dampens the structures of walls, floors, and roofs, which often need decontamination and restoration. When multiple components suffer severe damage, your commercial property becomes less appealing to residents and clients and impacts your net worth. The higher the number of affected areas and the longer time taken to address the issue, the more expensive repairs and construction are.
Since mold can significantly affect the health of occupants, not taking care of the issue as soon as possible might propel them into taking legal action against the owner of the building. For example, workers attending the office every day get constant exposure to mold and might develop symptoms. If the source of mold is evident and no decontamination has been scheduled, they could have enough reason to file a claim and have negative consequences on the image and course of a business.
When a building has been exposed to mold, professional removal, and decontamination can reverse the problem and save the structure and residents. Occupants must be fully aware of the situation, the risks of mold exposure, and the process of removing the contaminants.
Restoration and decontamination specialists need to see the affected areas and assess the extent of the damage and contaminants present. The process includes checking all surfaces, even the ones that seem unaffected or are hidden.
The decontamination and restoration process entails getting rid of all mold particles and, if warranted, using biocide to sanitize. This chemical slows down the growth of bacteria over building structures and furniture, decreasing the chances of mold reappearance. However, as effective as biocide is, it might cause residents to experience irritation, coughing, and headaches. Restoration specialists determine the proper amount of biocide needed and carefully apply it over walls, roofs, carpets, and furnishing.
Lastly, if mold resulted from water damage, leaks, or poor wall construction, we also evaluate the situation and restore or reconstruct the affected areas. This step ensures your property doesn’t lose its value and that the building and its occupants remain safe for years.
Mold spreads by the minute, causing increased damage to your property and the health of its occupants. Flooding, poor construction, a lack of ventilation, and leaks can lead to water damage and mold formation. Not dealing with this issue in time puts residents at risk of respiratory problems and could affect your business.
Therefore, you should call a dependable and professional construction firm to decontaminate and restore surfaces. We offer restoration, construction, and roofing services across all commercial sectors — anytime and anywhere you need us. Contact us to learn more.