Warehouse Mold: How 1 Mold Spore Caused A Severe Profit Loss

3/18/2022 (Permalink)

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO for top-of-the-line mold remediation services!

Keeping mold out of your warehouse storage area is essential to keep inventory safe.

A warehouse is a great place to store excess inventory, except when there is a mold issue in the warehouse. Mold can grow anywhere with moisture and a food source.

The professionals at SERVPRO have seen mold damage cause severe losses for a business. This article will explore the story of a business that faced significant financial damages after a minor mold issue developed in its warehouse. Unfortunately, the company was forced to close soon after finding the damages due to dramatic inventory loss. Fortunately, the company knew to contact a professional remediation company like SERVPRO of Union, Towns, Fannin & Gilmer Counties as soon as they noticed the mold issue. 

We could not save their business but were able to completely remediate the warehouse mold damages. Here at SERVPRO, we offer comprehensive services that will quickly get your warehouse back to normal!

What is mold?

Mold is a type of fungi found both indoors and outdoors. There are many different types of mold, but the most common type found in warehouses is black mold. Black mold is a greenish-black color and can be fuzzy or slimy to the touch.

What can lead to mold growth in a warehouse?

There are a few things that need to be present for mold to grow:

• A food source: This can be from cellulose (wood, paper, cardboard) to protein (human or pet hair, skin flakes, meat).
• Moisture: Mold needs moisture to grow. Sources of moisture can come from a leak in the roof or walls, high humidity levels, or condensation.
• Warmth: Mold loves warmth and can grow in temperatures as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Dark spaces: Mold also prefers dark spaces to grow.

If any of these conditions are present in your warehouse, you could be at risk for mold growth.

A recent warehouse mold damage call.

Mold can significantly affect businesses, especially if it goes undetected for an extended period. For example, recently, we received a call from a produce supply warehouse. They were calling because their warehouse had a small mold issue in one of its storage areas. The mold was visibly growing on the insulation in the ceiling.

The company had recently moved into this building and didn't realize a preexisting flat roof leak that was causing the high humidity levels. The high humidity and the warmth from the light fixtures created the perfect environment for mold to grow.

Unfortunately, after further inspection, we found that the mold had been growing for some time and had spread in more areas than the customer thought. As a result, there was significant damage to their stored inventory and the insulation in the ceiling. We didn't know right away but later found out that the supply warehouse had over $100,000 worth of mold-damaged inventory.

How can mold damage warehouse inventory?

Mold can damage inventory in a few ways:

Direct physical damage: Mold can cause physical damage to goods by eating away at the material it is growing on.

Contamination: Mold can cause goods to become contaminated. The damaged item is unsuitable for use and must be disposed of.

Odor: Mold releases an unpleasant odor that can contaminate nearby goods.

Awareness and prevention are key.

The best way to avoid mold damage is to be aware of the conditions that can lead to mold growth and take steps to prevent it.

Here are a few things you can do to prevent mold growth in your warehouse:

• Inspect the building for water leaks and repair them immediately.
• Keep the humidity levels low by using a dehumidifier or opening windows when weather permits.
• Inspect stored goods regularly for signs of mold damage.
• Keep storage areas well ventilated and free of clutter.
• If you find mold growing in your warehouse, take immediate action to remediate the problem.

SERVPRO of Union, Towns, Fannin & Gilmer Counties is here to help

If you've been in business for any time, you know that unexpected things can happen. And when it comes to warehouse mold, one small issue can cause severe losses for your company. That's why it's essential to have a reliable and experienced team like SERVPRO of Union, Towns, Fannin & Gilmer Counties on standby to help remediate any warehouse mold issues. We have the knowledge and resources necessary to handle any size mold problem quickly and efficiently. 

Contact us today for more information!