What Should You Do About a Mold Smell in Your Business?

5/7/2020 (Permalink)

Black mold is a specific type of mold that normally only grows inside buildings

What Should You Do About a Mold Smell in Your Business?

Black mold is a specific type of mold that normally only grows inside buildings. Also known as Stachybotrys chartarum, it loves building materials that are rich in cellulose but low in nitrogen content, such as

• Drywall
  
• Carpets
  
• Untreated wood
  
• Furniture
  
• Clothing
  
  

If your business in Santa Clara, UT, has a significant mold smell, there’s a good chance black mold is growing somewhere. Finding it can be a challenge, but there are special tools that can help.

What Does Black Mold Smell Like?

If customers or employees notice a musty or mildew smell inside, it can be due to black mold. Each colony released particles known as microbial volatile organic compounds that human noses are highly receptive to.

How Does It Become a Problem?

Actually, mold spores are everywhere. No matter how clean you keep your business, they’re in the air. It’s not a problem in small quantities, but once they are given favorable conditions, they tend toward explosive growth.
If you’ve experienced flooding or even a small leak from a broken pipe – especially if it’s gone unnoticed for a long time – you can expect mold to grow, along with the accompanying mildew smell.

How Do You Find the Cause of a Fungus Smell?

Black mold is a little different than other molds, so it’s somewhat easier to identify. It typically only grows on porous materials, so drywall, wood, and fabrics are favorable to it, while tile and metal isn’t. It’s usually very dark green or black and tends to spread downward or toward whatever direction the water or humidity is greatest.
However, black mold also likes to hide behind walls, in air ducts, and under carpets, so locating the cause of a mold smell can be very tricky. Most businesses in Santa Clara, UT, use a local company that has years of experience finding and removing mold from both businesses and homes. They have professional equipment, such as hygrometers and infrared cameras, to find elevated moisture content – even behind walls.