Are you building a home this July? Or are you a general contractor working to construct a new office space? It’s the middle of the summer, which means that it’s very hot and with that heat often comes high levels of humidity. Of course, the humidity and moisture in the air then leads to dampness on the construction materials. And yes, where there is moisture and dampness, there’s no question that mold isn’t that far behind.
There are ultimately three ways that mold could develop on new construction. First, the structure may not be water tight, allowing rain or flooding to permeate to the inside. Second, the moisture could very easily (especially in these summer months) be trapped inside the space, causing moisture and condensation to collect. Lastly, contractors could be using lumber that is high in moisture content, as the material may not have had the proper time to dry or was poorly stored before delivery. In order to meet schedule, a contractor may choose to continue working with damp materials and with moisture in the air…however, this could potentially lead to not only mold but other structural defects.
In order to work towards the driest space possible, make sure that the roof is completely closed off and is covering the entirety of the space. Be sure that the concrete (or other base material) has the proper sealant on it so that water cannot pass through to your space. Ensure that you are using large dehumidifiers (such as a Sylvania or Dry Eaz), construction grade air conditioning units, or even large site blower fans (such as those from ULine or Global Industries), in order to dry the area and keep the air moving. And, for the damp lumber, while you can certainly choose to wait until that material dries (utilizing other products to keep moving forward), consider using a product such as a dryout solution.
