Out, Damned Spots

I'll bet that this is a danger that the models didn't predict:

A Grim Reality of Reopening: More Mold

(Wired photo)

The pandemic has forced all sorts of buildings to sit empty for long periods of time. As people venture back into their homes, schools, and offices again, they may also find an unwelcome surprise inside. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns people who are reopening buildings to watch out for potential hazards like mold and Legionella pneumophila, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease...

Vacation homes and foreclosed properties often harbor mold. New construction techniques may be somewhat to blame: Because homes are now tightly sealed for energy conservation, they may be poorly ventilated and susceptible to issues like mold. Every year, some unlucky school districts return in August or September to find classrooms full of the stuff.

Homeowners may try to save thousands of dollars by doing the clean-up, albeit imperfectly, themselves. Business property owners don't have that leeway.

Because of liability and public-safety regulations, businesses must use licensed contractors. I know one rental-property owner who, when replacing the bathtub, found mold in one corner of the bathroom. Before-and-after air testing, removing the mold, tenting, drying, and recertification cost him $4,000 ten years ago.

If you're looking for a business to invest in, dear reader, try mold removal and restoration services. They should be booming this year.