Solution : Clean Your Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is an essential component of your AC unit and the main part that actually cools your home. But when it gets dirty, it becomes the perfect place for mold to grow. Follow these instructions to clean it out:
Set Up A Negative Air Machine
The negative air machine has something called a HEPA filter in it. Negative air allows all particles to be sucked into the HEPA filter instead of the particles just floating around in the air.
The negative air machine can have tubes that hook up inside your ductwork to act as a vacuum to suck all dirt and debris right out.
What To Do About Black Dust Around Air Vents
Whats an even better solution to stopping black mold? Keeping it from ever growing in your air ducts or anywhere in your house in the first place.
You can save yourself money, stress, and health issues by taking steps to prevent mold infestations before they occur. There are a few tactics you can use to stopping black mold from growing in your air ducts and home.
Also Check: What Can Happen If You Breathe In Black Mold
What Are The Dangers Of Moisture Buildup
The number one concern of water inside the air ducts is mold growth. Under ideal conditions, mold spores can flourish within 48 hours. Mold needs only an organic food source, moisture and warm temperatures to grow. The air ducts provide all the necessary sustenance for a mold outbreak.
Mold spores colonizing the air ducts are rapidly blown throughout the home via the vents. The spores become airborne, landing on furniture, carpeting and clothingwhich exacerbates the indoor mold problem. Indoor air quality is also reduced. Breathing mold can trigger health problems.
Aside from mold growth, moisture inside the air ducts can reduce the insulations R-value. Over time, the water compresses the insulation, causing it to become less efficient. As the insulations R-value decreases, homeowners can expect higher utility bills and energy loss.
Lastly, water damage to the walls, ceilings and roof can result from moisture inside the air ducts. Excess moisture can gradually be a cause of corrosion or decay in these materials. If left unaddressed for prolonged periods, the structural ruin can compromise the integrity of the building.
Problem #: Clogged Condensate Drain Line
An AC condensate drain line.
Do you see pools of water around your ACs inside unit? And do you smell that musty odor?
If so, those symptoms point to a clogged condensate drain line. When condensation forms on your evaporator coil, it drops into a drain pan and exits outside via a drain line.
But if your drain line is clogged because dirt falls into the pan then water stagnates in your drain pan, which facilitates mold growth.
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Signs Of Mold Contamination In Homes
Molds not only pose damaging risks to our HVAC systems, but also bring a number of health problems to our loved ones. Here are signs dangerous fungi may be lurking right under your nose:
- Visible mold growth inside a heating and cooling system
- Odd, musty smell anywhere
- Family members experiencing sore throat/coughs
- Unusual feelings of tiredness, headaches, nausea and dizziness
- Rashes on skin
- Your eyes, nose or throat are irritated
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
Also Check: How To Treat Mold In Air Ducts
Why You Need A Professional To Remove Mold
Hiring a professional to clean may seem like an unnecessary expense, but technicians can take care of mold and help prevent it from coming back more effectively and safely than you can do yourself.
First of all, scrubbing mold with ordinary cleaners wont make it go away. Regular cleaning products will leave behind enough mold for it to easily grow back. Professionals have the proper equipment to protect themselves and your home or business from not only the mold, but the chemicals they use to clean it.
You could also accidentally damage your HVAC system if you try to clean mold in air ducts yourself. Professionals know what to look for and how to treat your AC with care. Professional ductwork cleaners have HVAC training, so theyll be familiar with your system and know how to clean it without damaging it. They also use the correct mold growth inhibitor products to prevent it from coming back, and they know how to properly dispose of tools to prevent contaminating other areas.
Learn more about professional duct cleaning services:
How Mold Grows In Hvac Ductwork
Check this out:
I am going to dispel a rumor and it is going to sound pretty strange, but mold does not actually grow on air conditioning ductwork.
I know, you are saying to yourself,
Well that means duct cleaning is a scam
Slow down there cowboy/cowgirl
Let me explain:
While mold does not grow on the ductwork itself, mold will settle on the dirt, dust, and debris within the ductwork. The same goes for the HVAC air handler coils.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mold From Leather
S For Getting Rid Of Musty Air Duct Odors From Vents
Why does my home air conditioner smell bad?
Its a question HVAC experts get often. Summer is finally here, and that means you and your family are going to be using the air conditioning A LOT more often. The only thing worse than an HVAC system that stops working in the middle of a hot day? One that has a musty odor.
Summer also means humidity, and mold is one of the most common reasons why your air vent smells musty. Ductwork is warm and damp the perfect home for mold. No matter how clean you keep your air ducts, spores will begin to grow once the temperature reaches above 65 degrees Fahrenheit in a humid environment.
This isnt just an unpleasant experience it can also be bad for your health. Certain molds produce dangerous toxins that can cause allergic reactions, chronic fatigue, and persistent headaches.
It goes without saying, its best to act right away if your central air conditioner smells musty. HVAC experts recommend homeowners try the following tips.
Mold In Hvac Air Ducts
Mold in HVAC Air Ducts Over time, the simple HVAC system has evolved to meet all the varied needs of different homes across the United States. There are these straightforward single-stage heating and cooling systems, and then there are the more sophisticated multi-stage HVAC technologies that can save energy costs. Over the last several years, HVAC systems have evolved into different types including zoned systems, heating systems, humidity control and cooling systems. Irrespective of the purpose that these systems serve, Mold can establish colonies inside the ductworks. This article will show you the correct way on how to get rid of mold in air ducts.
According to the U.S. EPA, you should routinely inspect your HVAC systems, not just for mold, but for moisture. Look at drain and condensate pans to make sure they are draining properly. If they are plugged, the moisture that accumulates will become a mold factory. Also make sure that all HVAC ducts and system components such as air handlers, blowers, plenums, and the like are free of any moisture.
If, despite regularly inspecting your system, you are still getting complaints about it , here are some tips you can share with your HVAC contractor for cleaning it up:
1.) Turn off your HVAC system.
2.) Everyone involved in this cleaning should wear at least an N-95 respirator
3.) Replace anything porous, such as filters or insulation that has become wet. Double-bag the waste using 6-mil or thicker plastic bags.
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How Does Water Get Into The Air Ducts
Moisture inside the air ducts is a common occurrence. A leaky roof or ruptured pipes can easily transfer water into the air ducts. The ductwork installed on the roof often lacks a watertight seal, which allows a pathway through the seams and into the interior ducts and vents.
Moisture in air ducts can also be caused by the accumulation of condensation near the cooling coils of air conditioning systems. In such cases, condensation is expected. The air temperature inside the HVAC is cooler than the surrounding air, leading to a buildup of condensation.
Newer, more advanced HVAC systems are fitted with mechanisms that extract excess moisture to prevent the possible destruction of the ductwork. Issues with condensation, however, can still arise due to incorrect HVAC installation, improper air duct service and malfunctioning systems.
Flooding, too, can cause moisture to build up inside the air ducts. Across the US, flooding is a known threat during every month of the year. Flash floods, river floods, ice jams, snowmelt and dam breaks are causes of flooding. Rainwater is one of the most common causes of floods.
When HVAC systems sit at ground level, the equipment is exposed to rising floodwaters. The coils, fans and chambers become dirty when infiltrated with floodwater. To re-use the system safely, the many parts and cavities require a professional air duct cleaning or replacement by remediation experts.
Ac Unit Mold Removal Instructions
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Making Sure Mold In Heating Ducts Has Been Removed Completely
The Environmental Protection Agency suggests having your home tested for mold after mold remediation has been completed and we think that is especially important after having mold removed from your heating ducts. You want to make sure no mold remains in the duct work because if even a little bit of mold remains, it can grow and spread throughout the home again. Make sure you find a professional mold tester that adheres to the standards established by professional organizations like the American Industrial Hygiene Association or the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. This link will help you find qualified mold testers in your area.
Note that you want to hire a professional mold tester who is not affiliated in any way with any company or professional performing mold remediation in your home or cleaning the heating ducts in your home. You want someone completely independent and objective.
Will Duct Cleaning Remove Mold
Getting rid of the mold that has already developed inside your air vents and ducts can be a real challenge. Although mold can easily be killed with a mixture of one cup of bleach per gallon of pure water, the chances are that you wont be able to reach the mold that is growing deep inside your ductwork hence the need for duct cleaning.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Mold On Walls
The Effects Of Indoor Mold
Mold can impact the health of anyone in your home in a variety of ways. Certain groups are more susceptible to these spores, however. The elderly and children are more prone to experience issues from indoor mold. It can also seriously impact people with asthma or conditions that affect their respiratory system. Some people in general are also more sensitive to mold than others.
One person may not experience any effects, while others could regularly experience headaches, itchy skin, or a stopped up nose. Coughing and wheezing arent uncommon, along with other upper respiratory tract issues brought on by mold exposure. There have been hundreds of studies on the health effects of indoor mold, and the overwhelming verdict is that you do not want it in your home.
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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How To Remove Mold From Air Ducts
Mold, also known as mildew, is one of the most silently hazardous fungi in the world.
These can both cause a variety of health problems to animals and humans. Not only this, they spread at the speed of light and can even go unnoticed for months on end.
Unfortunately, these fungi can travel into your home through your front door or windows. They make themselves into all the nooks and crannies in your home and stay there until they get so problematic that you notice them.
But, by then its normally too late, theyve already done their damage.
Because mold often becomes active in dark and damp areas of your home such as your attic or basement, you may not even know that you suffer from a mold problem.
In addition to this, mold can make its way into your air ducts, HVAC system, ductwork, and vents.
With this in mind, knowing how to identify and remove mold from air ducts is essential if you want to keep yourself and your family healthy.
Below are the answers to the most common questions regarding removing mold from air ducts.
Get A Professional Air Duct Cleaning
The professional duct cleaners air purifying process prevents the HVAC from recirculating air contaminated with mold spores through the ductwork and into the home. The technique ensures that the indoor air quality is high and breathable for the homes occupants.
Wet air ducts are a risk to your homes structural safety and indoor air quality. When you discover dampness in the air ducts, either due to a recent flood, condensation or any of the above-mentioned causes, it is important to call a restoration professional.
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Mold In Air Ducts How To Get Rid Of It
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Out of all the issues that can hit homeowners, mold is among the worst. It can cause a variety of health issues if left unchecked and is also hard to get rid of. When mold is visible, you can usually take care of the problem yourself, but the usual cleaning methods wont work if the mold is in your air ducts. In this guide, were going to touch on the main causes of mold in air ducts and tell you how to get rid of it.
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How To Spot Signs Of Black Mold In Air Vents
Mold can be one of the negative effects of floods or can indicate a problem with your air conditioning system. When black mold grows on walls, floors, carpets and so on, its relatively easy to spot. However, when black mold starts growing in your air vents, things get a little trickier.
You may have black mold in your air ducts if you notice any of the following signs.
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