Back to School. What Happens When You Find Mold?

As educators return to school after summer break, they may discover more than empty classrooms and forgotten supplies. A musty smell, warped books, stuck-together pages, and visible mold are signs that items were exposed to moisture. Schools should reconsider simply throwing away materials. Here’s what you can do.

Act Fast if You Discover Mold

Acting quickly can make a significant difference in what can be recovered. Paper and other porous materials can absorb moisture fast. Once materials become damp, mold can begin developing, particularly when elevated humidity persists. The longer affected materials remain in those conditions, the greater the risk of permanent damage.

Contain the damage. When mold is discovered, moving affected books and documents around the building can potentially spread contamination and expose additional materials. Schools should isolate the affected area when possible.

Assess other potential risk areas

Now is the time to inspect libraries, storage rooms, archives, and classrooms in greater detail. Look for signs of moisture, mold, or water leaks. Focus on spaces with vulnerabilities, such as pipes, poor air quality, or low-traffic storage areas that might have been closed and under-ventilated.  

Lean on Specialists to Stabilize and Restore

Contact a professional document recovery specialist as soon as possible. They can help determine the extent of the damage, prioritize materials, and establish an appropriate course of action. Next steps depend on the materials, the type of moisture exposure, and how long they have been affected.

Recovery may include:

• Assessment and stabilization to determine what can be recovered and prevent further deterioration
• Controlled drying to remove moisture while minimizing additional damage
• Vacuum freeze drying for certain books and documents affected by significant water damage
• Cleaning and sterilization to address contaminants, odors, and surface damage
• Mold remediation coordination to address the environmental conditions contributing to the damage

Avoid future damage

Once the immediate issues are under control, schools can take proactive steps to reduce the risk and impact of future incidents.

• Emergency preparedness plan – Have response partners, recovery procedures, and critical asset locations identified before an incident occurs.
• Remote monitoring and leak detection - Use sensors to detect temperature, humidity, or water issues early, allowing teams to respond before damage spreads.
• Control conditions during peak seasons – Use temporary climate control to maintain stable conditions and protect sensitive materials from moisture and mold.

If your school discovers mold, water damage, or elevated moisture in books, records, or other materials, Polygon can help assess the damage and determine the best path to recovery. Contact us at the first sign of damage.