Mold, like the cockroach, can be found practically everywhere on the planet. It’s a type of fungus. While seeing it on the interior or exterior of a building isn’t such a good thing, mold plays an important part in nature by breaking down dead leaves, plants and other organic material.
There are many different kinds of molds, and some are toxic – but the one thing all species of mold have in common is that it needs moisture. The only way to control mold is to keep humidity below 60 percent. Here’s what else you need to know about mold if you are thinking of purchasing a prefabricated metal and steel building.
First the Good News
Besides moisture, mold feeds on any organic material it can find. While mold cannot feed on steel, it can grow on it. It uses metal as a staging point to seek out things it can feed on, like wood. You can easily wash any visible mold you find on the exterior of your Miracle Truss® building with a mild solution of dish detergent and water.
It’s the interior of your building that can cause more concern. Mold spores are microscopic and easily carried through the air, right into your building. It also prefers just about the same range of temperatures humans do – between 40 and 100 degrees. What’s worse is that unless it’s metal or plastic, you likely aren’t going to get rid of mold once it’s established in the interior of your steel and metal building.
Preventing Mold
Keep interior moisture and humidity at bay, and you’ll do the same with mold. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold spores have been linked to health problems such as asthma. The spores inflame airways, causing nasal congestion, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and throat irritation.
That’s why it’s important to properly seal your metal and steel building if you plan to use it as a residence. Consider at least a slightly peaked roof that will allow water to run off. Our designs allow roof pitches from 1:12 to 18:12, and the truss design meets and exceeds both heavy snow and wind loads. It’s why we ask where you plan to put up the building – we’ll make sure your plans are engineer stamped to meet local codes.
Insulation can help you prevent condensation on interior walls by controlling the temperature differential at the metal panel. Our designs feature edge-mounted purlins and girts that create standard 24-inch on center interior framing that’s perfect for rolled bale insulation before you put up drywall or other interior walls. Learn more about building and design options available to you when you choose a Miracle Truss® building.
