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.
How Can You Get Sick From Mold In Your Hvac System
Mold is a severe health hazard that can cause many problems, from respiratory issues to organ damage. Suppose you suspect that your home has a mold problem.
In that case, its critical to have it professionally remediated as soon as possible. Here are just a few of the reasons why you should get your homes HVAC system serviced regularly:
- To prevent mold growth in the first place
- To remove mold that has already started to grow
- To improve air quality and reduce exposure to mold spores
- To prevent health problems associated with mold exposure
A Properly Draining A/c
Its important to make sure that your air conditioner is draining moisture to the drain and away from the unit. If there is standing water in your air handler because the drain pan or condensate piping isnt sloped correctly, then this will feed mold growth in the unit.
I cant even tell you how many times I have seen A/C drain pans that have had issues. Below is a picture of a backup drain pan in an attic that is heavily rusted because of standing water.
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The Dangers Of Mold In Your Air Conditioner
If mold is growing in your house, it can release spores that can be easily inhaled. According to the CDC, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold.
Mold growing in an AC unit is not necessarily more dangerous than mold growing elsewhere in your house. However, the function of an air conditioner is to spread cool air throughout a room, and the purpose of the HVAC ducts is to distribute air throughout the house, which is what makes mold in HVAC systems so concerning. If they become contaminated with mold, they will efficiently distribute mold spores across an entire room or the entire house. If the concentration of mold spores is high enough, you will have a mold problem everywhere, rather than in just one location, and you will be inhaling mold spores in every room, even while you sleep.
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.
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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:
Realizing The Cause Of Mold In Air Conditioning
While mold can grow anywhere, air conditioning ductwork provides a nice warm, dark location for growth. Mold requires oxygen and moisture, and it feeds on organic matter and debris. Ductwork has all of these components. Water vapor is created when cold air with a high moisture content passes through warmer ductwork passages. Rather than evaporating and dissipating outside, the vapor collects into water droplets that coat the interior of the duct system. This becomes the perfect place for mold to root. The dust, pollen, dead skin, cells, and pet dander flowing through the air provide an endless nutrition source for the growth.
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Can You Spread Black Mold Through Hvac
Any type of mold can easily be spread through your entire home with your HVAC system, because the spores are airborne and move around very easily. If you discover that you have black mold anywhere in your home, you have something to worry about.
Fortunately, stachybotrys isnt often found in homes. Unfortunately, when it is, it can be a huge problem for the health of everyone who lives there, because it can cause symptoms as serious as bleeding of the lungs.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In Hvac Ducts The Right Way
Mold can be found in many places inside your home, including your HVAC system. Mold spores are carried through the air and can grow on any damp surface. If you have mold growing in your HVAC ducts, theres a good chance you have it growing elsewhere in your home. Here are some tips on how to get rid of mold the right way.
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Where Is Household Mold Most Common
The short answer is that household mold is most common in places where moisture is common. According to the EPA, the key to mold control is moisture control. Although moisture is necessary in places like your bathroom, there should still be an effective barrier between water and materials that are hospitable to mold, such as drywall or subfloor.
Can Mold In Air Vents Make You Sick
Respiratory Issues Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath could all be symptoms you experience if there is decaying vermin or mold in your air vents. The American Lung Association warns that poor indoor air quality can contribute to the spread of bacteria, infections, and even lung disease in extreme cases.
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Can You Prevent Mold Growth In Air Conditioners
In order to prevent mold growth in any area, proper moisture control is essential. Air conditioners produce moisture, so it isnt uncommon for mold growth to occur in both HVAC and stand-alone units. So, how can you prevent mold growth from occurring in your AC? Here are some tips that you can use to control moisture content, and thus, reduce the risk of mold growth.
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:
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How Can I Get Rid Of Mold In My Hvac System
If you dont have an extensive mold problem in your ducts, DIY is an option here. Whats considered an extensive problem? 10 square feet, according to the EPA.
The first thing you have to do before you start cleaning is choose a quality disinfectant thats designed to remove mold and is labeled as safe to use in your ductwork. You dont want cleaner fumes being spread all around the house that arent safe to breathe. As far as DIY cleaners using bleach and such, we would skip those and go straight for a commercial mold disinfectant.
You also shouldnt try to do any of this cleanup without gear that will protect you from not just the mold, but whatever cleaner you decided to choose. Youll need at least an N95 mask, rubber gloves, a protective suit, and safety goggles. A vacuum cleaner also helps, but to be clear about this, when youre using a vacuum cleaner on mold, youll want to throw your vacuum away afterward because it will be contaminated. Its best to use a wet/dry vac for this.
Supply List
If the problem is more than 10 square feet, however, you should call a local mold remediation company to do the cleanup.
Covering the Air Vents
Turn Off the System
This is done because you dont want to spread mold spores by running the fan at all.
Tapping the Duct Work
Replacing Filters in the Air Return Registers
Cleaning the Blower Compartment And Return Air Boot
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How Does Uvc Light Disinfect An Hvac System
Ultra-violet light with a wavelength of 254 nm works perfectly for germicidal disinfection inside your air ducts. It has been proven to be effective against 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, molds, and spores. By installing a 2-lamp, 4-lamp, or 2X2 UVC fixture inside of the HVAC system, the spread of airborne pathogens will be controlled, existing mold spores will be deactivated, and growth of future bacteria and fungi will be prevented. Also, the UVC lamps are enclosed entirely by the ducting, making them safe to operate 24/7, including while your building is occupied.
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Keeping An Eye Out For Mold
The smallest colony of mold can lead to a re-infestation, and it could move outside the ductwork and into another area of your home. Wherever you find water accumulation and humidity, you are looking at a place that can easily become compromised. Unless you stop the source of moisture by sealing off leaks, making repairs, or running a dehumidifier, you may be looking at scrubbing new vents, flooring, walls, or ducts in the future. To rid your life of a mold problem, contact the team at Mold Remediation We have years of experience and deep knowledge of mold growth and removal to make sure your home is safe and free of harmful mold spores.
Protect Yourself When You Remove Mold In Air Vents And Ducts
When removing mold from vents, you will need to have some specific tools on hand. A face mask with a HEPA filter is a necessity to avoid the spores entering your nose and mouth. You will also need some bleach, water, and tools to reach the insides of the vents. You will want to make sure that the electric to the furnace or air conditioning system is shut off before beginning your task. A long, flexible mop or sponge is needed to spread the bleach solution inside vents. Allow the ducts to dry thoroughly before turning the system back on.
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Removing Mold From Air Ducts
Keep in mind, this process is only suitable for small areas with mold problems, not your entire system. If you believe mold has spread throughout your air ducts, the best thing you can do is save yourself a lot of time and money by bringing in a professional.
If you plan on cleaning the mold yourself, you need to turn off your air conditioning system, put on your protective gear, and carefully follow the directions on the cleaning product. Each company will have its own recommendation or process, and theres no universal solution given the range of vents found in homes today.
When your solution is ready, you simply need to scrub the area until the mold is removed. It may take more than one application, but when you are done, dispose of rags, brushes, or scrapers in an airtight construction bag. When satisfied, the next step should be to use a mold inhibitor in the area to ensure it doesnt return.
This video shows what you can expect when cleaning an overhead vent and how they addressed the cause behind dust, mold, and dirt around the vent.
There Are Many Types Of Mold
Numerous mold species can grow in your home. Acremonium, a toxic mold, appears white and powdery. Aspergillus can appear green, white, or yellow, while Chaetomium is brown and cotton-like while it often grows on walls, it can be seen in air ducts and vents. Other molds found in ducts and vents can include Fusarium, Stachybotrys , Mucor, and Trichoderma.
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How To Kill Mold With Bleach
Bleach produces harsh fumes so make sure the area is well ventilated before you begin. You should also wear gloves during the process to protect your hands.
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Signs Of Black Mold In Air Vents
In addition to the health symptoms, there are other signs that AC ducts have become infested. Are you experiencing any of the following signs in your home? You might have black mold in air ducts.
- A strong moldy or musty smell in the house. It could be stronger in certain rooms. Also, you could notice the smell more when you turn on the AC.
- You can visibly see mold growing in air vents, ducts, or drip pans. Where this is some, there is probably more.
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Is There A Way To Get Rid Of Mold In An Air Conditioner
Getting rid of mold can be a complicated, messy, and frustrating task. The location where the mold is growing needs to be properly ventilated when youre cleaning, otherwise the spores can be released and recirculated, exacerbating the problem. Additionally, wearing protective elements, such as a face mask, non-porous gloves, and googles is highly recommended particularly if you have a sensitivity to mold. With that said, however, as long as you protect yourself and make sure that the space is well-ventilated, you can effectively clean up mold. Here are some tips that you can use to clean mold from both single air conditioning units, such as window or stand-alone units, and central air conditioning systems.
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