Building users have growing concerns about maintaining a healthy environment in which their tenants and visitors can work, shop, play and live. The increased awareness of the damage that can be wrought by mold and reduced air quality within a structure had placed more emphasis on controlling these factors.
A side aspect to this problem for building owners and designers is that mold problems have clogged the court system with more than $300 million annually in litigation as well as produced a 300% annual increase in the number of lawsuits filed nationwide. Remediating mold growth also requires expensive treatments that disrupt the building’s operation and pose burdens on operating budgets.
Precast concrete aids in controlling mold growth through a number of capabilities:
Inorganic Material
Precast concrete is an inorganic material that harbors no sustenance that allows mold to gain a foothold and grow, as other framing materials, such as wood or drywall, can do.
Controlled Production
Unless properly designed and constructed, the building site can permit excessive moisture to accumulate during construction. Precast concrete is produced in a controlled and protected environment in a process that resists moisture intrusion. By delivering the components to the site as needed, they are exposed to the environment for a shorter period of time.
Quick Enclosure
Precast concrete structural systems can be completed rapidly, leaving materials and the building’s interior exposed to humidity and moisture for a shorter time period. This is particularly vital for the installation of the HVAC system, which is one of the more common entrance paths for mold formation.
Easily Cleaned
Concrete can be cleaned of mold and dust spores, making them ideal substrates for controlling mold growth. The cleaning can be accomplished on precast concrete components by pressure washing, which rids the surface of any food source for mold that may have lodged there.
Fewer Entry Points
Because of its panelized construction, fewer points of potential moisture penetration exist with precast concrete panels. This helps control moisture and eliminates the possibility for mold growth in water that penetrates the walls.
Reduced Costs
Because precast concrete panels eliminate worries about moisture penetration, buildings can reduce HVAC usage when they are unoccupied for long periods, as with schools or warehouses, and not worry that they are risking mold growth or creating bad indoor air quality.