Mold growth is a common issue in Southern California. This is due to the area's warm and humid climate. Mold can grow in any area that is damp and has poor ventilation, but it is prevalent on the southern coast of California. High humidity levels can contribute to mold growth and help mold spread quickly. Mold can grow rapidly and go unnoticed for a while before being discovered. The amount of time mold can grow undetected is dependent on environmental conditions, growing surface, and type of mold. Mold can start growing within 24-48 hours of a water intrusion event, but can go unnoticed for several days or even weeks before it becomes visible or emits any kind of odor. Always call Fast Affordable Restoration if you suspect mold in your office space or building.

Bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and especially damp areas can create the perfect environment for mold to spread. Mold can spread quickly and cause a range of severe health issues for employees and customers, if not handled properly. Health issues include but are not limited to allergic reactions, respiratory issues, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, and fatigue. Mold can also damage any materials it grows on as well as damaging the structure of a building.

One of the most common areas mold can grow in businesses is underneath the flooring. Moisture can get trapped and mold will start to form. This mold can lead to discoloration of the floor, musty odor, and health problems. This is exactly what happened to our last customer in Southern California. We found mold growing in the crawlspace of the office building. The mold had spread throughout the entire office to such an extent, that the only way to completely rid the office of mold was to pack up the entire office and sanitize each item that was removed piece by piece. All equipment was treated with a Hydroxyl Machine to kill spores trapped that weren’t visible. The subfloor was then pulled up and the studs were treated with the proper chemicals.

The best way is always preventive maintenance. You can prevent mold from growing by addressing issues right away such as leaks and ventilation, and installing dehumidifiers before any mold starts to grow. Another way to help prevent a mold issue is to use flooring materials that are resistant to moisture.

Of course, if you do suspect you have mold growing in your business place, call us right away to have it inspected and addressed to prevent further growth and health problems for you and your colleagues. As trained professionals, we can assess the extent of mold growth and determine the best course of action to remove it safely and effectively. Here are some steps to take in the meantime:

1. Notify your employer or building manager. Tell them you suspect there is mold in the office and ask that they have the office inspected by a trained mold remediation company like Fast Affordable Restoration.
2. Be sure to stop the moisture source. Mold needs moisture to grow so if you can stop the source, you can prevent mold from spreading further.
3. Limit your exposure to the mold as much as possible. Do not touch or disturb the mold in any way.
4. Call Us! As professional Mold Inspectors, we can assess the extent of mold damage and growth. We can determine the best course of action to remove the mold safely. We can also identify the source of moisture and recommend solutions to prevent the mold from future growth.
5. Clean and disinfect the area. If the mold growth is confined to a small area, you might be able to clean it yourself using a mold-specific cleaner. If the growth is extensive or has spread to large or multiple areas in the office, it is best to leave the cleanup to Fast Affordable Restoration.

Don't forget that mold growth can cause very serious health issues. So be sure to take this issue very seriously and address it right away. By taking these steps and identifying that the problem does exist, you can help ensure a safe and healthy workspace for you and your colleagues or employees.

You might be wondering what the mold remediation process is. It's a long process with some very important steps that must be done to remedy the situation:

1. Inspection and Assessment:  A professional mold inspector should locate the source of moisture causing the mold and assess the mold's growth extent.
2. Containment: the area infected by mold and mold spores needs to be sealed off. A barrier needs to be created. This might include plastic sheeting and tape to keep the mold and mold spores from spreading to other areas of the building.
3. Removal of contaminated materials: all material that is contaminated with mold such as drywall, carpeting, insulation, office equipment, etc. will be removed or sanitized safely.
4. Cleaning and disinfecting: the area that was affected by mold will be cleaned and disinfected using specialized equipment and solutions to be sure that all mold spores are removed.
5. Drying and Dehumidification: To prevent further mold growth, the area will be dried and dehumidified.
6. Re-inspection: a professional mold inspector should come re-inspect the area to verify that the mold has been removed and occupancy is safe once again.
7. Prevention: The source of moisture that caused the mold in the first place needs to be addressed and properly fixed to prevent mold from growing in the future.

Depending on the extent of the mold growth, the mold remediation process can vary. Fast Affordable Restoration will work with you to develop a customized plan to remove the mold safely and effectively. If you suspect mold, call us today to get your customized plan to stop mold growth and get back to a healthy work environment.