Unsightly, Stinky and a Potential Health Hazard. Protect Your Tenants and Employees From Mold.

7/20/2018 (Permalink)

For the best professional service in certified mold remediation, call SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea. 714-701-0207.

Not only is mold unsightly and stinky, in a commercial structure setting, it also could impact the health of your employees as well as lower the productivity of your entire team.  Whether you’re in Fountain Valley, Villa Park, San Juan Capistrano, Garden Grove or maybe someplace else in Orange County, CA, commercial rental properties (apartments as example), mold growth has even resulted in lawsuits against landlords.   As the owner of a commercial building, its  up to you to do everything possible to eliminate mold from the structure.

Mold needs three things to thrive; proper temperature, proper humidity and a food source.  However, creating a mold-adverse environment also would make your co-workers very uncomfortable.  Mold can live in a temperature that ranges between 40°F and 100°F.  Mold also requires a humid atmosphere; over 70%.  The best method is to make the internal humidity range between 25% and 60%.  The lower the percentage, the more comfortable it will be for your human occupants!   Regular commitment to a number of ‘house-keeping’ tasks will help ensure this.

In the last few years, there have been multiple high visibility law suits filed against commercial property owners that have allowed mold to propagate in their buildings.  In California, Governor Gray Davis signed the Toxic Mold Protection Act (SB 732) into law in 2001.  Since then, regular commercial property inspection has become a legal requirement.  Later, in 2015, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 655 into law.  This law added visible mold growth to the list of dangerous health conditions which define substandard housing in the state’s Health and Safety Code.  Under California law, landlords are required to provide written documentation to potential tenants prior to signing a rental agreement when they know, or have reason to know, that mold exceeds permissible exposure limits or poses a health threat.  In addition, the law also allows tenants to sue landlords if exposure to mold on the property leads to health issues.

The same right to sue may extend to office workers whose health is impacted by exposure to ‘toxic molds’ if it can be proven that the mold exposure was due to ‘actual intent’.  Legal actions can also be taken against any third parties, such as building contractors or materials suppliers if negligence in their actions or products can be shown to have led to the mold conditions and resulting health issues.  Office workers may also file for Worker’s Compensation.  One example occurred in the LAPD when 115 officers and civilian employees all filed alleging that their respiratory issues were toxic mold related.  The lawyer representing the case stated "We can accept our jobs being dangerous on the streets, but it shouldn't be dangerous at the police station."

Obviously, mold prevention is the lesser cost alternative to remediation and there are number of things that commercial property owners can do to prevent mold growth.  These include:

• Regularly – at least annually, inspect all the areas in your building for moisture, water and mold.
• Prompt attention to leaks and/ or water damage. Allowing moist conditions to continue for more than 48 to 72 hours will  up the odds of mold. 
• Since pooling water creates great conditions for mold growth, include your HVAC system in the regular building review.  Systems coils and drip pans should remain clear so that they drain properly.  Likewise, don’t allow ducts or system components like air handlers, blowers or enclosed chambers to develop moisture.
• Check where your air intakes for the HVAC system are on your building.  Air intakes near dumpsters or standing water can increase the quantity and probability of spores inside your building.

If you are addressing a commercial structure mold remediation situation, you should select only a certified remediation company.  SERVPRO of Yorba Linda/ Brea has been helping homeowners and commercial property owners with mold remediation for over eleven years.  We’re the #1 SERVPRO franchise in California.  Our focus on urgency, integrity, cleanliness, knowledge, commitment to consistently excellent work, and our ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with our customers and colleagues has made us the #1 SERVPRO franchise in California!    To read testimonials from our customers, click here.  https://www.yelp.com/biz/SERVPRO-of-yorba-linda-brea-anaheim.   Need mold remediation services NOW?  Give us a call; 7614-701-0207.

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