Kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-moisture environments can become a breeding ground for mold. Indianapolis business owners face unique challenges that can cause mold growth to run rampant in their businesses, including humid summers and older commercial buildings with outdated HVAC systems. These two issues can cause commercial mold growth to spread throughout your building, putting the health of your employees and customers at risk and potentially shutting down your business due to regulatory violations.
As a trusted mold prevention and remediation company, ServiceMaster Restoration by LS James understands the importance of keeping businesses mold-free. We help business owners avoid extended closures and keep their customers and employees safe. Read below to learn why mold thrives in commercial kitchens and bathrooms, signs of mold growth, and who to call if mold is contaminating your business.
Why Mold Thrives in Commercial Kitchens and Bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms can quickly become breeding grounds for mold growth. Constant water use, steam, and spills can create a damp, humid environment. Commercial kitchens and bathrooms sometimes lack the same amount of ventilation as other rooms in a commercial building. This poor ventilation can allow moisture to linger in a room and create an ideal environment for mold growth. Grease, food particles, and organic waste commonly found in kitchens provide nutrients that promote mold growth, and many plumbing issues such as hidden leaks often go unnoticed until mold appears.
Common Signs of Mold in Commercial Kitchens and Bathrooms
Tell-tale signs of mold growth include visible mold growth and persistent odor. Black, green, or white spots on tiles, ceilings, grout, air vents, or ductwork are a clear sign your business needs mold remediation services. If you don’t see any visible mold but you still suspect it is contaminating your business, check your air vents for a persistent odor. Damp, earthy smells that will not go away despite regular cleaning are a sign of mold.
Check your walls and ceilings for discoloration. If you see yellow, brown, or black stains around the room, this could be a sign of water damage and mold growth beneath the surface. Bubbling paint, warped wood, and loose tiles are also a sign that there is mold growth beneath your walls, floors, or ceilings. Frequent inspections can help you identify mold early and remediate the issue quickly. Mold growth can begin as soon as 24-48 hours, and moisture can build up under sinks, behind appliances, and around air vents.
How to Keep Commercial Kitchens and Bathrooms Mold-Free
Checking plumbing fixtures for leaks and deep cleaning using mold-inhibiting cleaning products can help prevent mold growth from taking place. Use mold-inhibiting cleaning solutions on surfaces such as tiles, walls, and ceilings, as these surfaces can be susceptible to mold growth when exposed to moisture for long periods of time. Inspect your plumbing system to ensure there are no leaks within your pipes, sinks, or drains. Check for blockage as well. A clogged drain can cause standing water to accumulate in your commercial kitchen or bathroom, increasing the likelihood of mold growth.
Humidity is a leading cause of mold growth, but there are steps you can take to remove moisture from your business and prevent mold from damaging your commercial building.
- Place commercial-grade dehumidifiers around your business.
- Use mold-resistant paint, grout, and drywall in high-moisture environments.
- Install easy-to-clean surfaces.
Mold Prevention Challenges Specific to Indianapolis Businesses
Indianapolis experiences an average of 70% relative humidity during summer months during summer months, creating an ideal environment for mold to grow. The aging commercial infrastructure can exacerbate this issue and make mold problems much worse. Many of the commercial buildings in downtown Indianapolis and Broad Ripple have outdated ventilation and plumbing systems, making them more susceptible to harboring dust, debris, and moisture.
Mold can occur in any building, but certain business owners should be highly aware of their unique risks and learn how to keep mold at bay. Restaurants with high grease and moisture output may need to inspect their kitchen for mold. Hotels with limited airspace in guest spaces can also become a breeding ground for mold.
Long-term exposure to mold can be extremely damaging. In severe cases, Mold can cause chronic respiratory problems, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. In serious cases, mold exposure can lead to chronic fatigue, memory loss, and even organ damage.
The Risks of Ignoring Mold in Kitchens and Bathrooms
Mold can damage your business’s reputation. Visible mold and mildewy odors are unpleasant and can cause individuals to lose trust in your company. Customers will not want to visit an establishment that causes them to experience allergy-like symptoms, and employees may refuse to continue to work their scheduled shifts until a mold removal service is called.
In some cases, mold can result in health code violations, fines, or even forced closures for food-service businesses. If employees experience long-term health effects from mold exposure, they may take legal action against your business. If an employee has experienced organ damage, cancer, or any other type of long-term ailment because of mold exposure, they may be entitled to compensation.
It is important to remove mold as soon as it is detected. There may be increased costs if you delay remediation. If you suspect mold is growing in your commercial building, hire ServiceMaster Restoration by LS James to restore your property and to help you learn how to prevent the issue from happening again.
Trust ServiceMaster Restoration by LS James for Mold Prevention and Remediation
Mold growth is a problem that can threaten the health of your employees and customers. Do not let this jeopardize your business; keep your operation running smoothly and invest in professional mold remediation services. ServiceMaster Restoration by LS James provides commercial mold removal services that keep your business clean and mold-free. Our technicians work with you to locate mold growth, remove the debris, and put preventative measures in place in hopes of avoiding regrowth. Our 24/7 emergency services are here when you need us, ensuring your business can remain open. Call us today at 463-263-4132 to schedule an inspection today.
