Calling out to all property managers, strata management teams, and body corporate.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have a phone alarm for when you were about to start hearing from tenants regarding significant mould growth? That is a little out of our league, but we can offer you a list of key environmental factors that you should really have on your radar.
We’re not talking about the typical indicators,
We’re talking major lynch pins. You don’t need to be a fly on the wall in every property you manage to see these coming.
Why trust AllAces Cleaning & Restoration? Because we’re the experts in mould remediation.
Mould can cause a lot of expensive damage to tenants’ homes, vehicles and belongings, not to mention the myriad of personal health risks. Having to deal with a severe case of mould growth is extremely taxing on your energy, time, and money. It is a lot more common than you think, and it will immediately change your perspectives on how important it is to be proactively working against it.
With over 30 + years in the industry we’ve picked up on some trends. What have we noticed?
Cases of mild to extreme mould growth explode when…
There are a number of reasons rainfall can spark heightened mould growth. The most common of which are discussed below.
In times of consistent or severely heavy rainfall are when we discover leaks. It can quite often be difficult to contact a builder when the rain is still falling so it may be a while before the issue is fixed. In this time, the water will continue to infiltrate your interior. Roof leaks can be among the most devastating because water will stay pooled in the roof cavity long after the rain has stopped.
This one may seem obvious, but it is a real issue. The water we track in on our shoes adds to the moisture in the air, sinks to the underlay of our rugs and carpets, and creates the perfect environment for mould. This can be of double concern if mud and other particulates are also brought in.
As with wet shoes, our clothes can be a source of extra moisture in the house/building. Mould typically needs three things to thrive – dampness, darkness, and poor ventilation. What do we do with our damp rain jackets? They end up in the cupboard – a dark, poorly ventilated space to which we have just added moisture.
Nothing dries. Laundry, dishes, shoes, mopped floors – nothing dries. The theme for these rain-related problems is becoming fairly clear. If nothing is drying, we are introducing more moisture to the interior and mould is given an extra leg up.
The best way to mitigate the risks of extreme mould growth during times of flood are simple:
>> Stay on top of maintenance tasks. What seems like a small annoyance could turn into a serious health risk.
>> Educate tenants on the importance of drying and storing their property properly. In office spaces, ensure that cleaners consistently dry main thoroughfares.
If cold, wet weather can speed-up mould growth, how can conditions on the opposite end of the spectrum also be an issue? Read below to find out.
The first problem with hot weather is that everybody shuts their windows and puts on the air con. A perfectly natural response, especially in our climate. So why does this cause a problem? Closing all the doors and windows creates poor ventilation. With no natural airflow, a darkened interior, and the condensation on windows, mould will start creeping.
Mould will spike during periods of high humidity. What is humidity? Humidity measures the amount of water vapour in the air. Water, one of the key factors that will spur on rapid mould growth.
Ask any aircon repair technician, summertime really tests the endurance of our air-conditioners and leaks are far more prominent. The really sinister complication of aircon leaks is that they will quite often begin leaking at the back of the machine. This is problematic because a) it will escape your notice for some time, and b) it is dark back there. This creates a dark, damp place for mould to thrive.
To be proactive in preventing the rise of mould during seasons of high heat and humidity:
>> Encourage tenants to allow natural air to circulate through the home. This educational drive will give them the power to stop mould from growing in their own homes or offices.
>> Respond promptly to concerns about leaking air conditioners or similar products. You do not want a small problem to snowball into something huge.
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Those are our hints and tips for strata and property managers who are looking to get ahead of any future mould pandemics. Learning what to look out for, educating your tenants, and taking preventative measures to mitigate the risk of mould growth are the best way to protect your assets.
Call AllAces Cleaning & Restoration on 1800 00 1010 if you have any questions about mould, how to stop it, and how to set up a mould inspection and/or mould remediation.