How We Clean A/c Ducts
Better Air, LLC is a leading duct cleaning company that provides top-notch services to residents of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and its environs. With years of experience, our certified and trained technicians will efficiently and safely remove mold from your homes air ducts in a few hours. We will insert suctioning devices on the climate-control vents and then use vacuuming devices to suction the mold from the air ducts or vents. To ensure that your home is safe, we collect mold contamination from all the hoses and connectors and keep them in sealed bags.
Confident with the services we provide, we offer a 90-day guarantee to ensure that our customers are fully satisfied. Other qualities that set us apart include:
- Customer Satisfaction
- We are members of Indoor Air Quality Association
- Abreast with the latest technology
- Certified by NADCA
Mold In Ac Vents Symptoms
Mold can grow due to various reasons. If you want to know that there is mold growth in your AC vents or not, then you can notice it for the following symptoms.
- Foul odors are the most significant indication of mold growth, so when you turn on your AC and smell foul, then there is mold in the AC vents for sure.
- If you feel difficult to breathe when AC is on
- Mold can get different shapes and might appear on the sides and the covers of the vents in dark dots.
- Feel irritation eyes, nose, and throat when AC is on if the people are allergic to mold
- The people with weak immune system find difficulty to survive in AC if it has mold in the vents.
Thus, all these symptoms indicate that there is mold growth in your Air Conditioner vents. It should be fixed before it causes more severe threats.
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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The Negative Effects Of Mold In Air Vents
Some of the most distressing problems linked to mold growth are the potentially detrimental health effects on anyone who comes into contact with it. Aside from a musty smell, mold spores can cause people to experience health problems, such as coughing, sneezing, nasal blockage, itchy eyes, skin irritation, breathing difficulties, stuffy nose, runny nose, headaches, and other allergy-like symptoms. The longer one is exposed to mold, and the more mold thats present, the greater one chances of developing these conditions.
However, keep these additional symptoms in mind. These might be an issue inside or in a specific portion of your home, also indicating mold development. Mold exposure can induce nausea, tiredness, diarrhea, and other symptoms in vulnerable people. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory problems are more prone to develop mold sensitivity after exposure to it individuals who are allergic to molds will be more severely affected.
Setting Ac Temperature At Too Low
If the air conditioning at your home is set at a very low temperature in order to conserve energy, condensation can form, particularly around ventilation ducts that are close to exterior walls. This moisture should dry out if left alone. But when this does not happen for an extended period of time, mold growth may ensue. To avoid this outcome:
- Turn the AC up to a more comfortable temperature
- Increase airflow with open windows or fans
- Position your outdoor condenser unit away from exterior walls, fences, and other objects that could trap moisture
Though rare, the moisture problem can apply not only to cases where there are no leaks in your ducts but also to conditions where your HVAC ducts have leaks and allow warm air into them. In this case, you will need extensive duct cleaning with mold remediation and should seal up any existing leaks on the airways themselves.
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What Causes Mold To Grow In My Hvac System
Mold grows in dark and moist areas which is why youll often see first signs in places like your bathroom, especially if you do not have very good ventilation.
Other common areas for mold include attics, basements, and in cabinets with sinks.
Of course, one of the most common places where mold grows is in your HVAC system.
This is because there is a high level of moisture and condensation. These two factors come into play most commonly during the summer months of the year.
Learn more about mold remediation from our blog.
When you use the air conditioning during the summer months, water vapor can make its way inside the air ducts. If the area where you live is very humid, the water will stay stuck in your system instead of evaporating like it normally would.
As external particles continue to travel through your air ducts, dust gathers, thus becoming a feeding ground for mold. Mold feeds off organic materials, allowing it multiply at an exponential rate.
What Are Signs Of Black Mold In My Air Ducts
While mold and mildew are very similar they do have some striking differences. Mildew is normally grey or slightly green and lies on the surface. This means that it can be wiped off with some cleaning detergent and a cloth.
Mold, if left untreated can turn black, making it particularly dangerous and toxic. Black mold can release spores as it feasts on materials that are organic, for example, carpet, drywall, and insulation.
Unfortunately, the easiest way to find out if you have black mold in your air ducts is by looking inside them.
You may also find that the problem has gotten so bad that it has spread to the wall your air duct is attached to. It is not unusual to be able to smell mold.
If the problem is deep inside your vents, you may not know it is there. Sometimes, it takes you or your family getting ill to find out that you have a black mold infestation in your home.
The more severe symptoms mentioned above are all associated with black mold.
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Your Air Conditioner Already Has A Built In Cleaning System
Air conditioning systems are already designed with a built in cleaning system called an air filter. It is the job of the air filter to remove particles from the air that flows through your HVAC system.
man changing air filter
Air filters do not always filter out every single particle of dust, but is this really a problem? In most cases any dust that makes it through your air filter and into your duct system is minimal and hasnât been proven to cause any measurable decrease in air quality.
As the EPA study suggests, most of the dust will adhere to the surface of your duct and will not continue to blow into your home. Any dust that does blow out of your duct into your home should be caught by the air filter during its next cycle.
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How To Clean Mold Out Of Ductwork And Vents
Now that you know everything you need to know about identifying mold and black mold in your air ducts, its important that you learn how to fix the problem.
If your mold problem is significant, you should call in the professionals to take a look before you start cleaning out your air ducts.
The professional should test for mold throughout the entirety of your home. This person will also tell you if there is a presence of black mold.
If your home is not infested with black mold, the test is still worth doing as it will tell you if the concentration of mold and mildew in your home is too high.
If you believe your mold problem is containable, here is a step by step guide that you can follow to clean the mold from your ductwork and vents yourself:
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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.
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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How To Remove Mold From Air Conditioner
We dont recommend that homeowners attempt to clean a central air unit or ventilation . If, on an inspection of a small self-contained unit, you have decided to tackle it yourself, heres what youll need to do:
If youre intimidated by the above work, remember: hiring a mold removal expert is always a safe and sure-fire way of getting mold eradicated.
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Your Trusted Hvac Specialists
At Fire ‘n’ Ice Heating & Cooling, Inc., were committed to offering outstanding heating and cooling repair, replacement, and tune-up services to the residents of Downers Grove. Our team is also highly experienced with indoor air quality systems, and we want people to be safe in their homes. We have NATE-certified technicians who receive ongoing training and stay current with the industry. Our focus on excellence has earned us an A+ rating from the BBB. Were proud to be a Healthy Air Expert. Our locally owned and operated company has been serving the residents of the area for more than 40 years.
Give us a call at Fire ‘n’ Ice Heating & Cooling, Inc. today to learn more about our work in Downers Grove, IL.
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Mold In Your Hvac Ducts How To Get Rid Of It And How To Prevent It
As a homeowner you have a lot of responsibilities and keeping a perfect house isnt easy. One thing that may slip your mind is your HVAC system. Just like anything else in your home if you dont maintain your HVAC system, problems may arise. One of the most common problems/complaints is having mold in your HVAC ducts.
Mold is easy to miss because it can grow and reproduce easily. Mold in your HVAC system can cause you and your family to be sick and will decrease your indoor air quality. The EPA recommends checking your HVAC ducts for mold and moisture regularly. If there is moisture back up in your ducts or other parts of your HVAC system it will be easy for mold to begin growing. Lets discuss how you can get rid of mold and what you can do to prevent it.
How to Get Rid of Mold in your HVAC Ducts
Mold is a pesky, but common issue that occurs in HVAC systems. When moisture gets trapped in the system it can cause mold to grow, it can take as little as 48 hours for this process to begin. If youve found mold in your system, the best option is to contact an HVAC professional to come out and help you clean the system. However, here are some general steps to follow in order to remove the mold.
How to Prevent the Mold from Coming Back
Allergic Reactions Black Mold Can Cause
The carcinogenic potential of black mold is just one of the risks of exposure. A milder and more common risk is the allergic reaction that these mold spores often cause. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include the following:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Internal bleeding from lungs
- Shortness of breath
In addition to these symptoms, a mold allergy can cause an asthma attack when mold spores enter the lungs. Dont put your health on the line by letting mold linger in your homes ductwork.
Allergic reactions to mold can range from minor to fatal. Though rare, anaphylaxis can occur due to mold exposure if a person is extremely allergic. Typically, though, reactions are more likely to include the aforementioned symptoms of respiratory irritation or breathing problems. Even if an allergic reaction appears to be minor, its important to note that extended exposure worsens the symptoms. If you suspect that you may be in an environment where mold spores are present, you should vacate as soon as possible and have the spores removed by a professional to ensure your home is safe.
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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.
Musty Odor When Hvac Is Running
If you are running your HVAC and smell a musty odor, the potential for mold in the vents is high. Mold has an odor that is considered to be earthy or musty. The odor wont be good on the nose, but its one of the more recognizable signs that mold growth is present and can be detected easily.
If the mold is growing in the ducts, the smell might even spread throughout rooms that are near the source of the growth. Any strange smells similar to that of mold in your rooms means you should check nearby vents immediately, as it could be a telltale sign you have mold in the air ducts.
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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:
Got Mold In Air Ducts We Can Help
It can be disheartening to notice the first signs of mold in air ducts around your house. Youre naturally worried about health issues, structural damage and the costs of fixing it all.
Thankfully, while this situation might be new to you, it isnt to us.
Our team of expert mold professionals has seen it all, and we have the proper tools, resources, and knowledge to do it all. Whether you need an initial inspection, extensive mold removal or any step in between, youre covered. Were committed to quality, affordability, and integrity at every turn along the way.
Contact us today to learn more and let us restore your home and your peace of mind.
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