The presence of mold in any commercial space spells a huge nightmare for managers, and this only intensifies if the business in question is a restaurant. As a restaurateur, you’re legally bound to protect your customers and staff from all potential health hazards. In addition, the fact that you deal with food means you need to maintain high standards in terms of hygiene.
Why is Mold Present in Your Premises?
Mold is a type of fungi, albeit one that exists in numerous different species. What really sets mold apart from normal plants is the fact that it doesn’t need any light to grow — it actually prefers cold, dark environments instead. When faced with a shortage of nutrients, mold reacts by producing tiny spores which are then dispersed by air currents.
As such, these spores exist everywhere, both outdoors and indoors, just waiting for the right conditions to start growing. Unfortunately, these conditions (moisture, food, and humidity) can be found in any restaurant space, particularly in and around the kitchen. Now that you know why you might be affected, you need to realize that mold can easily spread to other areas and cause more problems.
Time is of the Essence
If you have any reason to suspect that mold is growing somewhere inside your restaurant, you need to act quickly. Mold can cause various health issues, such as:
- Coughing and wheezing
- Lung infections
- Eye irritation
- Skin and respiratory illnesses, particularly for anyone with a mold allergy
As worrisome as these sound, the worst problem will come when mold gets in contact with food, causing contamination. You can, however, save yourself a lot of headaches by addressing the issue quickly. It’s also worth mentioning that mold removal isn’t something you want to tackle on your own.
In most cases, DIY mold removal techniques are generally unsuccessful, not to mention the higher risk of exposure due to lack of protective gear. Besides, failure to apply the recommended treatment(s) means the problem will likely recur after a while. This is why experts emphasize the need to get in touch with a mold remediation company so that the problem gets resolved quickly and safely.
What to Expect
Upon hiring their services, the mold remediation company will send a team of experts to your premises for an initial assessment. This will allow them to determine what course of action to take as well as the measures that you’ll need to take to prevent recurrence in future. Some common high-risk spots include:
- The area beneath the sink
- Behind the refrigerator
- Around windows
- Any other area that’s in close proximity to moisture/dampness
Ultimately, it’s important to ensure the company you hire is specifically licensed for mold removal, besides having an established local presence and solid reputation.