S To Prevent Mold Problems In Your Hvac System And Air Ducts
Unfortunately, mold is all around us. Its in the air we breathe and resting on all our home surfaces. Add a bit of moisture, and youve got fuzzy green or black spots staring you down. Plenty of areas around your home are bastions for mold growth. Your HVAC system, unfortunately, is one of those perfect spawning grounds for stubborn molds.
If you want to learn more about combating mold in your HVAC system, weve got the strategies you need. Read on for more information.
Are you still struggling with mold issues and looking for quality Sterling HVAC repair? Cardinal Plumbing, Cooling and Heating has the HVAC experts you need to tackle even the most stubborn HVAC problems. Give us a call at 703-645-4528.
S To Prevent Mold Problems In Your Hvac System And Air Ducts:
There are times when home remedies are not enough, and you need to resort to more drastic methods. Mold infestations can be quite stubborn, and not tending to them can lead to more significant expenses. If you have had recurring mold problems in the past couple of years, you should consider the following prevention measures:
Two: Make Your Cleaning Solution Or Buy A Commercial Cleaner
For those who are not interested in making a solution themselves, you can simply buy an EPA-approved commercial mold cleaner.
But if you dont mind the DIY approach, you can make a solution all by yourself.
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Air Conditioner Mold Spray
Baking soda is a great product for HVAC mold removal. A bleach solution can also do the trick.
To make your solution, take a tablespoon of household detergent and mix with half a tablespoon of baking soda into a cup of water.
Alternatively, you can mix one part bleach with 16 parts water to treat non-porous surfaces.
This recipe is often used for mold in air ducts treatment.
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Problems That Cleaning Duct Work Can Cause
We will get into who should clean your ducts a little more in depth below, but the most important thing is that you find somebody thats competent.
Lets look at the reasons why:
Damage
Some methods that companies using involve using a tool called a wire duct brush. This can be used as an electric power tool. If the operator of the tool is not careful this can damage the interior of the ductwork.
Im sure whichever company causes the damage will fix it at no cost, but heres the problem:
They may not realize they caused damage right away.
This can actually lead to mold and I will include a real-life story where that very issue occurred for me:
The client noticed that there was some possible mold present in one of the bedroom closets. During a mold inspection, clues led me to the attic space above. When I got in the attic, there was an odor present and visible mold on some of the structural wood. There was also condensation on the exterior insulation of the ductwork. As I was crawling through the attic, I suddenly felt cold air.
THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE DUCT WORK!
The mixture of cold air leaking from the ductwork and hot air in the attic space led to condensation and mold growth. Mold was also growing within the inner walls of the closet below.
Oh, and the company that did the duct cleaning accepted no responsibility and last I heard there was a lawsuit still pending.
Bottom line:
Damage can not only lead to monetary responsibility but can also cause mold.
Removing Mold From Air Conditioning Vents
Removing mold from A/C vents is a pretty simple process. Follow these steps to complete the task easily:
Some people may suggest cleaning the grill without removing it. We dont recommend this due to the dangers of the vents sharp metal that can easily cut your fingers when you cant fully see it.
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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.
Checklist For A Mold Free Home
Heres the checklist for smart homeowners to counter mold in air conditioning ducts:
- Conduct mold testing to confirm an infestation.
- Select duct cleaning methods and costs depending on the duct material type.
- Make sure that the service providers follow the National Air Duct Cleaning Association standards and EPA approved/ registered products for the process.
- Ask for client testimonials and references from service providers.
- Request regular duct inspection to prevent mold buildup.
White Mechanical, Inc.
Founded in 2002, White Mechanical, Inc. in Laguna Hills, CA, is one of the most trusted and licensed service providers, proudly serving Orange County and the surrounding communities. Our management team has more than 28 years of experience in various aspects of HVAC technology. All our HVAC technicians are professionally skilled and certified to deliver outstanding residential HVAC services as well as commercial HVAC services to our clients. We offer professional HVAC services including installation, maintenance, air conditioning repair, and more at very reasonable prices.
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How Do You Get Mold Out Of Air Vents
The best way to get rid of mold on air vents is by hiring a professional. They will adhere to high safety standards, ensuring there are no hazards for them, your family, or your home. Plus, they use the correct cleaners that are safe for your vents, but most effective on mold.
However, if this isnt an option for you, we have some methods that may work in the meantime.
Before You Start
Allergy Symptoms Or Illness Occurs
As mentioned before, if you are allergic to mold, your symptoms will emerge. It can also cause other symptoms.
Allergy symptoms you may suffer from can include sneezing, coughing, watery and itchy eyes, and breathing difficulties. However, you might suffer more troublesome conditions apart from these, such as severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue.
For these reasons, it is important to stop using the HVAC system if any of these symptoms occur. If any mold growth is discovered, do not activate your system until it is free of any mold.
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How To Prevent Black Mold Around Air Vents
Preventing black mold from developing is the simplest way to ensure you have good air quality inside your home. Small changes, such as using a HEPA filter in the air conditioning system, are recommended to maintain the cleanliness of the vents. Annual maintenance of all parts of your system, including the coils, can also help reduce the risk of mold spores entering the ducts. You will typically need to have a professional inspect and clean your furnace or air conditioning system annually to complete these tasks.
If you live in a humid environment or experience a lot of humidity in the home, then you may want to consider investing in a dehumidifier. The dehumidifier can remove excess moisture from the air, which is needed for mold spores to thrive. Lastly, maintaining cleanliness in the home by using a vacuum with a HEPA filter regularly and limiting the amount of dust in the home can reduce mold spores. If you are renovating and there is a lot of dust, then you can close off vents with plastic sheeting to keep vents clean.
What Causes Mold To Grow In Air Ducts
Mold grows in ductwork when two things are present: moisture and warm temperatures. A warm, humid environment has the ideal conditions for mold to form. A humid climate along with poor ventilation, or anything that traps moisture in your walls and causes condensation, can lead to mold in air ducts.
Here are some of the HVAC problems that can contribute to these conditions and ultimately mold growth:
If your AC unit is oversized for the space you have, one of the problems that it can cause is mold in air ducts. Larger units can cool small spaces too quickly and turn off before dehumidifying the air, leading to excess moisture. This moisture can build up in your rooms and ductwork. If you see mold shortly after a new installation, check to make sure youve got the proper sized equipment for the space you have.
Setting your AC on a very low temperature can sometimes lead to mold around the vents. When the cool air from the vents meets the warm air in the room, the temperature difference can cause moisture in the air to condense on surfaces in and around the vents. If that moisture builds up and never gets a chance to dry out, it can lead to mold growth. This is called the temperature differential and usually takes about 20 degrees of difference for moisture to form. If you dont notice it for a while, the moisture can make its way into your air ducts.
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Mold Professionals Cleaning Hvac Ductwork
Mold remediation professionals are generally called into a job when there has been a significant leak and mold growing on building materials. This can also include a mold problem that was caused by the HVAC system not functioning properly.
However
That does not mean they know how to clean the ductwork. Remember, some of the material that ductwork is made out of can be delicate and cause further problems not related to mold growth if not cleaned correctly.
How To Test For Mold In Air Ducts
Locate the Origin of the Mold By Yourself: Locating the cause of the mold can be difficult. The majority of the time, the origin may be linked to water leaks.
Detect any leaks that might be inside your air ducts or the HVAC system alone. Once discovered, you should seek professional assistance to resolve the problem.
Hire an Expert to Do Mold Testing: Even though you can test the mold manually, do-it-yourself mold-testing tools and techniques are not always completely dependable and exhaustive enough to guarantee that there is no mold in your ducts. If necessary, hire a professional to test and address the mold in your air ducts.
Consult the Nearest Mold Removal Services if Necessary: If the mold test comes back positive, you will need mold eradication or water damage repair services. You have to ensure the HVAC system is turned off during this operation. This drastically reduces the possibility of mold growth.
These mold removal services will take the correct processes and regulations to remove mold efficiently and properly, and they will have the necessary instruments and gear. This renders it simple to eliminate mold effectively without putting yourself or your family at risk.
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Mold The Stubborn Intruder: What Is The Cause
In most cases, homeowners can most efficiently remove the mold form visible areas. However, molds spread through spores, and the presence of a small colony can lead to a re-infestation in no-time. Mold problems in HVAC systems and subsequent air ducts occur due to humidity and water accumulation in the system. Unless you find out precisely what is responsible for the growth in the first place, you might find yourself fighting a losing battle.
The DIY solutions are only suitable for minor mold problems. These are more effective for isolated cases that do not involve the entire ductwork. For example, if your master bathroom or your storage room smells musty, you can try to scrub the particular duct or vent that aerates these rooms. It is very common for some places to gather mold in the ductwork more than the others. Bathrooms are often more prone to mold infestations since there are higher humidity levels, and water almost never dries up completely. There is a high chance of recurring mold growth in the bathroom, and research shows that over 70% of toilets and showers in the urban areas have sneaky mold problems.
Why Does Mold Grow On A/c Vents
Moisture that forms on its metal vents when the air conditioner does its job is a vessel for mold growth. Dust then accumulates on the surface, which is a food source for mold. Cleaning the visible mold in vents is strongly encouraged because it can release spores into the air, possibly causing harmful health effects.
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Types Of Mold In Air Ducts
The mold that can attack your air ducts does not come from one source. In actuality, different types of mold can grow in your air ducts.
Here are some of the mold that can grow in air ducts.
Mucor Mold: This mold typically develops in air conditioning systems. It is often disseminated from the air conditioner unit throughout the homes whole air ductwork. It is highly hazardous and must be removed as soon as possible.
Acremonium Mold: This widespread type of mold that normally attacks air ducts develops over months to years. It has a white chalky look and tends to accumulate near damp areas of your ducts.
Alternaria Mold: This is another very frequent air duct mold variant. It resembles a velvet-like cloth and is commonly brown or green. This mold variant normally demands a continuous supply of water from the air ducts. Hence, ducts that are in persistent contact with water grow Alternaria mold.
Aspergillus Mold: This type of air duct mold can appear in a variety of ways, making detection challenging, unless you have a highly focused vision. It is usually discovered near air duct leaks and can appear in different colors like white, yellow, or brown.
Stachybotrys Mold: This black mold is extremely poisonous. Although it is easily identified visually, it usually develops deep within air ducts, making it relatively tough to find. With abundant wetness, it is likely to proliferate quickly.
Proactive Measures Are Better Than Reactive Measures
Its always better to stop a problem before it starts. Because mold can be harmful to your health, or others who enter your home, this is especially true. If you are cleaning the mold yourself, use of an inhibiter once the vents are clean will help prevent mold from reappearing.
Because moisture breeds mold, dealing with humidity is another proactive step to take.
A dehumidifier is especially helpful when you live in a humid region. Be mindful that an AC system reduces humidity by nature, and using a dehumidifier may only be needed during times when the AC is not in use.
Concluding Thoughts
Mold is scary, but you can handle it yourself. Just remember to make sure to protect yourself when cleaning. If mold is growing on your vents, there is cause to check other parts of the HVAC system.
Drip pans drain and any other parts of the system where moisture is present is where mold will grow. Again, theres no need to panic just apply a few simple cleaning methods.
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Cleaning Using Household Products
If youve noticed that mold is growing in your ducts, you can use a variety of household cleaning products to get it cleaned off. Mixing either detergent or bleach with water is powerful enough to kill mold. When youre getting ready to address an area of mold in your home, its important to put on protective gear. The cleaning chemicals can cause harm to your skin or eyes, and inhaling the mold spores is dangerous. Wearing rubber gloves, a face mask, and eye protection are all recommended for safety.
To clean the mold, apply the cleaner and scrub with a rag until it has all been removed. When youre finished with a job, dispose of all of the used rags. Be sure to pay close attention to the area after the cleaning to make sure mold doesnt start to grow there again.
Ive Got Mold In The Air Vents In My Home What Do I Do Now
Removing mold in air vents can be very challenging. While many still opt for using ozone, research suggests that this method is detrimental to your respiratory system and can cause just as much damage as the mold itself.
Before you do anything at all, you need to make 100% sure that the substance you believe to be black mold is in fact that. This is because the process of removing mold from air vents is not only time-consuming but very costly.
If you do have mold in your air ducts, the best thing you can do is call in the professionals. A mold remediation expert will first inspect your home and take the appropriate steps to find out where all the mold is in your home and remove it.
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