Mould (or “mold” as it’s sometimes also spelt) is pretty fascinating stuff. Under a microscope, it can even be sort of beautiful to look at.
It’s one of the many structures that fungi can form, the others being mushrooms, yeasts, and mycelium – and it has given us medical breakthroughs, delicious foods, and has cleansed the world of dead matter since life began.
It’s also extremely gross and can be very dangerous. Just like poisonous mushrooms, mould growth can harm our health with devastating effect. The spores given off by some moulds are incredibly harmful – containing mycotoxins that can pose serious health risks to humans and animals. Some studies claim that exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems, or even death. Prolonged exposure (like daily exposure in your office) may be particularly harmful.
Mould and spores are ever-present in our human environments, in household and office dust, on foodstuffs, and in bathrooms. But usually, they’re in such small concentrations that they pose no threat to most people. The problem arises when mould growth accelerates beyond control – and if there’s one key factor that makes mould grow, it’s damp.
Just like all other funguses, mould thrives in damp, dark conditions. And if your office has damp problems, then mould has either already invisibly set in, or is about to rear its ugly head…
Tackling mould safely
If you’ve spotted the signs of damp and mould in your workspace, you’re probably wondering two things: how do we clean this, and how do we stop it from coming back?
The good news is that with the right approach, you can get your office back to normal. Let’s guide you through some practical steps to tackle mould and our proven strategies to stop it from returning.
Before you start…
If you notice that the mould covers a large area or has damaged the building fabric itself, it’s always best to call in the professionals. But even if it’s a small patch, you’ve still got to tackle this cleaning job safely.
Even short exposure to mould spores can be irritating to the lungs, so proper protection is essential. You need disposable gloves and a facemask – a proper n95 type, not your old COVID-era washable one. You’ll also need protective eyewear that seals all the way around your eyes (and over your glasses, if you wear them).
Open all windows wide, for maximum ventilation. Then, get any soft furnishings away from the area – office sofas, chairs, curtains, even cardboard storage boxes. These are made of porous materials that are an excellent substrate for mould growth, and if both spores and damp get in, you could be looking at disposal.
Now, for the cleaning. For hard, non-porous surfaces like painted walls, window frames, and desks, we find a specialist mould remover is the most effective solution. These products are designed to kill the mould at its root and lift the stubborn stains.
Just follow the packaging instructions carefully, applying the solution and allowing it to dwell for the recommended time to break down the mould growth. A stiff brush is perfect for scrubbing away the residue. A common mistake is to just scrub at the mould without a cleaning agent. This sends a cloud of active spores into the air, which can resettle and make new homes in either parts of the office. Make sure you apply something that kills mould before scrubbing!
Once the visible mould is gone, wipe the surface down thoroughly with clean water and a cloth, and then – this is the vital step – dry it completely. Dehumidifiers may well be required for this to actually work. If your office has a HVAC system, this can help, but dehumidifiers are the only real way to draw out a significant amount of moisture.
Any residual moisture is an open invitation for the mould to return. And recurring damp in your office means that mould will always be a problem, until the damp is dealt with.
Dealing with damp
If you rent your office space, then it’s up to your landlord to deal with the damp long-term – so you have to notify them as soon as you notice any problems with damp and mould. It’s still up to you to maintain things day-to-day, and make sure problems don’t get worse, so if you see sinks are leaking, spreading damp into surrounding areas, then stop using them and notify the landlord so plumbers can be arranged.
If there’s a leak from the roof, from guttering, or through windows, get on top of it straight away. Besides mould, check for wet plaster, beading moisture or condensation, and damp smells.
Damp can also set in from poor ventilation, where condensation builds and soaks into porous materials. In this case, proper ventilation needs to be installed.
Whatever the source, the most important step in all of this is finding the cause of the damp and stopping it. Otherwise, you’ll be perpetually drying out the office, and things will never get better!
If you can’t find the source, then you’ll need to get in a specialist damp surveyor to see where it’s coming from. Again, this is your landlord’s responsibility as the property owner, but it’s up to you to facilitate it and get the ball rolling as soon as problems arise.
Once you’ve rooted out the problem, it’s time to dry – and depending on the size of your office, a fleet of dehumidifiers can deal with the leftover moisture very effectively.
Protect your team, clients, and property from damp and mould
Damp is no joke. And mould growth can be extremely harmful over long-term exposure. Don’t let mould and dampness take hold in your office. Regular, professional office cleaning from The Abbey Cleaning Service can help you spot signs of damp and mould in the areas you seldom see – and our expert cleaners can help you get the mould off, too.
Call 029 2067 9323 today, and find out how we’ll help make your office cleaner and safer, without disrupting your work day.
