Where Is Mold Found
A University of Arizona study looked at 160 homes in all regions of the United States and found the presence of mold in literally 100 percent of all those sampled. 1 The highest levels were found in places that people normally overlook: window sills, refrigerator seals, under the kitchen sink, air registers and entryways.
How To Treat Black Mold In Your Air Ducts
If you suspect that you have a black mold infestation in your home, you need to call a mold remediation professional to inspect your home. The professional will take the steps to test for mold throughout your home. The inspection will verify if your home does have black mold, but if your home does not have black mold, it is also good to do because you can check to see if the mold concentration in your home is too high.
If the professional has verified the presence of black mold in your home, then they will tell you the steps to remove it. For the most thorough cleaning, the professional will have to remove the right components from the air ducts to ensure complete cleaning. The reason is to be sure that the black mold has not touched any other part of your air duct and remove the risk of cross contaminating other parts of your home.
Black mold needs to be cleaned thoroughly by a trained remediation professional because most conventional cleaning agents will not work. Remediation professionals are trained to use the most high-powered cleaning vacuums and motorized brushes to remove black mold from your home.
For example, COIT has the largest and most powerful cleaning equipment on the market we use high-efficiency particulate air vacuums and eco-friendly products to remove mold from your air ducts. Also, COIT finishes the job using air scrubbers to ensure and sustain the availability of high air quality.
Spray To Kill Mold In Air Ducts
As previously stated, musty odors might develop in your homes air duct if mold is present. One thing you can use to combat those awful odors is Lysol spray.
And according to several user experiences, this spray can also progressively kill mold spores. However, this spray will only work properly after getting your air ducts cleaned. Here are the steps for using the Lysol spray:
Step #1: At your thermostats, turn on the air distribution fan. You do not have to operate cold air simply turn on the fan just to distribute the air through your air ducts.
Step #2: If you have not changed the air filters within the past 6 months, activate the air return vents. On the filters, you might observe a gray, hazy film.
This is keeping air out of your unit, which not only costs you funds by letting your unit operate twice as hard, but also prevents clean air from passing through your ductwork.
Step #3: Pull the air filter back against you and liberally spray Lysol into the duct. Spray at least 10 to 15 pumps into each outlet repeat this process for every air intake vent in your homes ductwork.
Hydrogen peroxide is also effective when it comes to killing mold. It is safe to use on a variety of surfaces, such as clothes, bathroom essentials, and even air ducts. It is an effective mold killer, particularly in solutions containing more than 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Step #1: Fill a spray bottle partly with an unadulterated 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
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How Air Duct Cleaning & Mold Removal Help Improve Indoor Air Quality
Molds can get into your house through your windows, clothes, vents, and even pets. When molds accumulate in small amounts, you barely get to notice or feel their presence. But when they start to grow exponentially, they will drastically degrade indoor air quality and make you sick.
If you see a small mold patch on your walls, you should never ignore it because it indicates that there are molds in other areas in your house. In this situation, youll have to call a mold removal service provider ASAP.
Fogging The Hvac System Only
If your home has been recently remediated and you have done periodic testing to ensure you do not have a mold problem, a more direct method of fogging the HVAC system can be done prophylactically. By flushing the HVAC system with a botanical antimicrobial through the air intake vents, you can distribute the fog through the ductwork throughout the home.
Here are some steps to follow to identify the return vent.
- The air return vent are typically the largestvent in your home.
- Thevent will not typically have louvers or slats behind the grill.
- There may be an air filter connected to thisvent.
- Turn the system fan on if you hold a piece of paper or tissue in front of the vent, the paper/tissue should be pulled towards thevent.
Once the air return vent have been identified, turn off the HVAC fan and carefully remove all air filters, placing them directly into a garbage bag . Place the fogger inside the return vent or focus fog production into the return vent. Let the fogger flush your system for approximately 30 minutes . Keep the fan off for 24 hours before replacing the filter and turning the HVAC system back on. During the treatment you will see the fog exit the air vents in your home. The fog is safe to inhale however, you can elect to stay out of the home for 8-24 hours until the fog dissipates.
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Insulate All Air Ducts In Unconditioned Spaces
If you have an older home that has uninsulated air ducts in rooms without air conditioned air such as in the attic or in a crawlspace, then due to the temperature differences, these sections of air ducts may be contributing a significant amount of moisture into the air.
It would be a good idea to insulate these air ducts to prevent excessive moisture buildup which may be contributing to mold growth.
I once inspected a garage that had an uninsulated duct going through a garage ceiling. A significant amount of moisture condensed in the ceiling and led to the entire garage getting covered in mold.
A Defective Whole House Humidifier
Many homes have whole house humidifiers, which are great products that will add needed moisture into the air during the cold weather months. However, if you have never cleaned the evaporator panel, or if the unit isnt working properly, then whole house humidifiers can contribute a large amount of moisture into your furnace or air duct system which can lead to mold growth.
Always change the evaporator panel or pad every year before usage and make sure that it is draining properly and not adding too much moisture into the air. You can read my full guide on how whole house humidifiers can lead to moldissues here.
How To Remove Mold From Hvac System
When it comes to cleaning mold, there are a number of chemicals and natural cleaners that can be used, although some will be more effective than others, depending on the species and how far it has penetrated.
Removing it from air ducts deep within your home can be tricky because they can be hard to reach, so you may have to remove them from their place in order to clean them properly. But you can follow these steps in removing mold from the air vents first to prevent the majority of the mold from spreading to other areas.
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Will Lysol Kill Mold
Lysol does have disinfecting products, including their mold and mildew remover spray. It eliminates mold and mildew stains, bleaches surfaces and kills 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria.
However, this product is intended for bathroom surfaces, so use on air vents at your own risk. The manufacturer does state that prolonged contact with surfaces made from metal, old porcelain or plastic laminate can lead to discoloration.
You can try other Lysol products, such as a disinfectant spray. But these are intended to prevent mold and mildew, rather than kill it. It is better for odor, bacteria and viruses than anything else.
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The Importance Of Correct Air Duct Cleaning For Mold Problems
Getting your air ducts cleaned properly as part of a mold removal project is very important in the whole remediation process. Its extremely important to not spread mold spores in your air conditioning system any further than where they already are without spreading it throughout your home. If the cleaning is done improperly it will actually increase the growth of mold, not eliminate it.
Make sure to take a look at the equipment that the company plans to use to clean your air ducts. If they remove the vents and push a vacuum hose with a brush on it as far as they can reach, the spores that arent sucked up into the hose will fall into the room or remain in the ductwork to be blown into other areas when the AC is used again.
Air duct cleaning like this might not be harmful if there isnt contamination, but if mold spores are present it will only make matters worse for you. Using proper cleaning equipment that maintains strong vacuum pressure on the entire AC system during the process is necessary.
Also, cleaning the evaporator coils is necessary for a thorough cleaning of the system, because those collect dust over time. That dust and moisture condensing on the coils breed mold and the air blowing over the coils comes out of your vents.
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Can Cause Other Particles To Enter The Air
This is particularly true when cleaning fiberglass ductwork.
You see:
the fiberglass lining in the ductwork is generally rolled onto the duct board. When this is scrubbed it can cause fiberglass particles to enter the air.
Then my friend,
You will be breathing in fiberglass. This can cause all sorts of health problems. Some of the health problems that have been linked to the inhalation of fiberglass include:
How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts
Follow these steps to clean your homes air ducts at least twice a year. If someone in your home has indoor allergies, or if you have a lot of pets, do it each season. You can use this method to clean cold air returns, too. And always change your filter after youve cleaned your ducts.
More How-Tos:
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You Live In A Humid Environment
Although mold grows in just about every area of the US, if you have high humidity levels, then mold is more likely to grow in your home. Humidity is the measurement of water vapor suspended in the air.
While New Jersey is certainly not the most humid state, the average relative humidity level is 68.5%. This can certainly contribute to mold growth, especially if your home has limited airflow to release the humid air.
How To Remove Mold In Hvac Air Ducts And Ceiling
Mold is the unwanted stranger in your home that sits anywhere it wants. When it chooses to take residence in your HVAC air duct, you know that your health is at risk.
Yes, indoor mold located in your HVAC systems ductwork, coils, and drip pans can be very dangerous to your health. Some of these molds produce mycotoxins known as toxic molds that can cause brain issues and even lead to death.
Theres no arguing about it, you need to get rid of molds that have found their way to your HVAC air duct or ceiling.
This article will guide you on how to remove mold from your HVAC air duct and ceiling before it gets too dangerous for your health but you must first know how to detect mold in these paces.
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Hvac Systems And Mold: Air Handler And Ductwork Cleaning And Maintenance
The HVAC system is the most important investment made in any new or existing home. Because of the expense, many homes have improperly fitted HVAC systems. This error can be the cause of mold growth or it may spread mold throughout the home. HVAC systems and ductwork design should be meticulously selected for each home. It requires careful calculations to determine the right size of the unit and ductwork designed for a particular floorplan, ceiling height, window number, sun exposure, etc. Too large of a unit can cause condensation due to improper cycling. Too small of a unit can lead to energy inefficiency and temperature discomfort. In some cases, homeowners are given the options to add on whole house dehumidification, high efficiency filtration, etc. Read on to learn more about HVAC Systems and Mold.
HVAC technicians that were interviewed estimate that a majority of homes have improperly sized HVAC systems. This is frequently due to developers purchasing HVAC units in bulk for neighborhoods with homes that face different directions, have differing floorplans, and varied window exposure. Often, the only criteria used in determining if an HVAC system was properly installed is whether or not it is able to maintain the desired temperature. Very little attention is given to whether all duct joints were properly sealed, whether the unit cycles as designed, proper filtration, or long-term maintenance protocols.
Can Mold Get In Air Ducts
Unfortunately, mold can infiltrate your HVAC air ducts and lead to poor indoor air quality.
Risks associated with moldy ducts include:
- Increased allergy symptoms
- Health problems such as headaches, irritated nose and throat, nausea, respiratory illness, skin rashes, and itchy eyes
- Rotten, stale, or musty odors in the home
A single mold spore can, in time, wreak havoc on your HVAC system. Once a spore finds the right, humid conditions, it can grow rapidly. This makes it vital that homeowners understand their HVAC system and have it inspected and cleaned regularly to prevent mold in air ducts.
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Kill Black Mold In Airconditioning Vents Using A Ozone Machine
If you are using an ozone machine to kill mold, you will also want to plan on leaving the home since the ozone can cause respiratory distress. Removing the mold from the vents is important, however, since the long term effects of mold exposure can be dangerous, especially for infants, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
Hvac Mold Removal What To Do
· Updated 01/17/2020
When mold invades your property, it will spread by dispersing its spores throughout the home or building to affect other areas. But if it has developed in your HVAC system, the process of it spreading is accelerated because the air flow is helping to push the spores to affect new surfaces.
In addition, there are many health risks associated with mold as its spores trigger a number of allergic reactions and respiratory issues, including coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, itchy eyes, runny nose, and a variety of other health problems.
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How Can You Tell If Theres Mold In Your Air Ducts
As most parts of the air ducts are not visible, it can be difficult to tell if there is mold in your air ducts and whether you need an air duct cleaning service. Lets take a look at some of the most obvious signs that theres mold in your air ducts and that you need to call for professional air duct cleaning service immediately.
- Odors. Mold smells. Most types of mold are usually associated with some type of unusual or musty odor. It usually smells rotten, wet or stale. Its never a good smell. This is usually the first sign that most homeowners notice. Usually, the odor will only be present when youre using your air conditioning or heating system. Once you turn any of these systems off, you should notice a significant decrease in smelly odors.
- Visible mold. This doesnt happen often. Usually, most homeowners will not notice any mold and their home. However, in some worst-case and extreme scenarios, the mold may start to grow out of the vents. Youll start to notice visible mold in the ducts and in the drip pan. This usually happens when the condenser coils become clogged. If you notice any visible mold, you need to call a professional right away for air duct cleaning services. Mold spreads through spores. This means that theres likely a huge infestation by the time that you notice the mold.
Sealing Fiberglass With Anti
If there is excessive dirt, dust, and mold on your fiberglass ductwork, you can simply just replace the ducts.
O wait
I forgot about the part where it can cost THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS to do that!
Another option is painting your ducts with anti-microbial paint.
The anti-microbial sealant does two main things:
This is a much more affordable and feasible option.
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