Why Does My Commercial Building Smell Like a Forest?

7/13/2021 (Permalink)

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Why Does My Commercial Building Smell Like a Forest?

The way a property smells tells a lot about the condition of its construction materials. A musty, forest smell is a clear signal that there is mold growing somewhere in the building. When fungus is given the conditions to grow, the chemical compounds it releases in its various stages of growth will give off an odor. These are known as microbial volatile organic compounds, or MVOC's. Property owners describe it as the smell of dirt or wet dog. Mold thrives on:

• Wood
• Grout
• Concrete
• Insulation
• Drywall
  

If a musty smell circulates when the HVAC system turns on, it is likely the mold is inside of the air ducts. Here are three ways a professional HVAC cleaning service will keep your building mold-free:

1. Improved Air Quality
   Mold spores are airborne microscopic particles that will circulate throughout the building with each use of the HVAC system. The air quality of a building is measured by how much pollution is recorded. This is determined by the number of particles traveling the air. Having your cooling system cleaned regularly will lessen the number of particles in the air, improving the overall air quality.
2. Controlled Humidity Levels
   Your HVAC system protects your building from the natural elements that threaten to decompose it. Mold thrives in dark, damp spaces that offer the right nutrients. Keeping the humidity levels at 40-60% will ensure the construction materials remain dry, protecting them from an invasion of fungus.
3. Prevents Hidden Mold
   The dust inside of your HVAC air ducts is an excellent source of nutrition for fungus. The ducts also provide a damp, dark environment, giving mold optimal conditions to develop. An HVAC cleaning service will ensure your air ducts are cleaned, preventing a mold problem from circulating.
   Cleaning vents and having your HVAC system serviced at least once a year will contribute to a healthy, longer-lasting building. Hire an HVAC cleaning service to keep your system from spreading fungus. If your commercial property smells like mildew, you can contact a professional mold remediation service to help clean and restore the building.