How To Remove Mold From Ductwork

Preventing Mold In A/c Vents

Once the mold on your A/C vents is properly removed, you will want to keep it away. Here are some ways to do so:

• Control your homes humidity levels. Use a dehumidifier if you live in a humid area.
• Fix all water leaks and remove standing water. Ensure A/C drain pans slope toward the drain to help remove standing water under the AC units cooling coils.
• Ensure your HVAC components and drain pans are accessible for proper cleaning and maintenance.

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Symptoms Of Mold In Air Ducts

Black mold can cause negative health effects if its in your home. It can affect the respiratory system and cause uncomfortable irritation. If you have a black mold infestation in your air vents, you and other residents will likely experience some physical symptoms. Some physical signs to watch for in you and your family include:

• Irritated feelings in eyes, nose, and/or throat. Symptoms may get worse when AC is turned on.
• Persistent headache whenever you are home, but goes away when you go outside. If anyone in your household is experiencing this symptom, you could have black mold in your HVAC.
• Allergy symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, or rashes.
• Nausea, fatigue, or dizziness whenever you are inside the home.

If you, your family, or anyone that frequents your home is experiencing these symptoms you could have mold in your HVAC system. Please contact a professional to check the vents.

Also read our in-depth article on: Black mold symptoms.

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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Can Air Duct Cleaning Remove Mold

AdvantaClean

Mold can be one of the most harmful substances inside your home or office, and it is notoriously effective at developing in all kinds of places as long as the right variables are in place all that mold needs in order to grow are the right temperature, moisture level and a source of food. The worst part about mold is that it can grow out of sight, but you definitely shouldnt keep it out of mind! So were glad youre reading this blog post, because that means you already understand the many negative effects that can result from the presence of toxic spores like mildew and black mold in the places where you live and work. You dont want to have to deal with respiratory problems, rotting surfaces within your structure, and other issues that can mean huge bills and other distractions for you, your family and your business. One of the most dangerous places that mold can develop is in your ductwork, because your ventilation system is what supplies you with fresh air to breathe as youre enjoying time with loved ones or working hard on that next project at the office. So if youre wondering, Can air duct cleaning remove mold? keep reading and let us show you why an air duct cleaning from a certified professional service provider can save you a lot of physical and financial headaches, both now and later.

How To Determine If The Duct Cleaner Did A Thorough Job

A thorough visual inspection is the best way to verify the cleanliness of your heating and cooling system. Some service providers use remote photography to document conditions inside ducts. All portions of the system should be visibly clean you should not be able to detect any debris with the naked eye. Show the Post-Cleaning Consumer Checklist to the service provider before the work begins. After completing the job, ask the service provider to show you each component of your system to verify that the job was performed satisfactorily.

If you answer “No” to any of the questions on the checklist, this may indicate a problem with the job. Ask your service provider to correct any deficiencies until you can answer “yes” to all the questions on the checklist.

• energy conservation
• reduced condensation

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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!

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:

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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.

Signs You May Have A Mold Infestation In The Ductwork

The unmistakable signs of mold in the air ducts include:

• Moldy or musty odor throughout the house or in one or more rooms. The odor may become stronger when the air conditioner runs.
• Black mold is visible around the air vents, ducts, or in the air conditioner drip pans.

You may also experience health effects. The long term effects of mold exposure on your health can be unpleasant, even dangerous. A black mold infestation in your air ducts can cause several of the following symptoms:

• Allergy-like symptoms such as watery eyes or itchiness in your eyes, irritated sinuses, runny nose, and/or throat irritation that often gets worse when the air conditioner runs.
• Headaches when you are home but nowhere else.
• Nausea, fatigue, or dizziness when you are home.

HVAC Service and Maintenance Plans And Why You Might Want One

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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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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.

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Mold Air Quality Test

When you are having mold work done in your house, there is one very important thing to pay attention to: the final air quality test that is performed once everything gets cleaned up. This test samples the concentration of mold spores in the air and decides whether your home is free and clear of mold, or if they need to go back and remediate more.

However, the issue that were running into as air duct cleaners in Colorado Springs is that even though the mold was cleared out, the residential ventilation system was never addressed. That means that there were still mold and mold spores in homeowners HVAC system that gets ignored by the mold restoration companies, AS WELL AS the final air quality test. Yes, the house may pass the test, but heres the secret: the mold remediation company is running the air quality test in the house and taking all of their samples while the ventilation system is turned OFF. 30 seconds, one minute, two minutes after you turn that system back on you will fail that test if they did not properly address the mold and mold spores in your duct system, which is usually taped off while theyre doing the rest of the remediation.

How We Can Help | Planet Duct

If you are a homeowner dealing with mold in the house, an insurance adjuster, or you are working for a water its restoration company and you guys really are not set up to do that deal with mold inside of ventilation systems, at Planet Duct and Ill be happy to work with you.

Additional Air Duct Cleaning Costs

• Extra Registers : Cleaning usually includes a set number of registers. Beyond that number may cost from $20 to $25 per register.
• Video Inspection: Running a remote video camera through the ducts for inspection typically costs from $200 to $500.
• Air Duct Sealing: Sealing air ducts with a special coating that plugs up leaks costs anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 per treatment. Sealant is misted into the air ducts, covering all interior duct surfaces.
• Mold Remediation: Hiring a separate mold remediation company to eliminate mold from the air ducts costs between $2,000 and $6,000, depending on spread and damage caused.

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How Do Hvac Systems Or Air Ducts Get Dirty

Without filtration, the air retains mold spores, dust, and other contaminates.

The main reason your HVAC system gets dirty in the first place is through neglect. Forgetting to change air filters, using poor filters, having gaps in filters, or no filter at all, could affect how clean the system is. Leaking ducts can also be culprits for dirt, dust, insects, and even animal droppings.

A dirty nearby environment can also affect your HVAC system negatively. New construction, factories, and nearby highways can increase pollution outside your home or workspace. Dirty outside air dramatically increases the amount of pollution inside a building.

How To Prevent Mold In Future

Once youve taken care of the mold in air ducts, its important to make sure it doesnt happen again. Getting an HVAC preventative maintenance plan is a great way to keep an eye on the mold and keep your HVAC system healthy. It can help prevent the causes of mold by making sure there are no issues that can cause moisture leaks. Regular maintenance prevents breakdowns and keeps your cooling running smoothly.

Another thing you can do to take care of your HVAC is consider a periodic duct cleaning service. Duct cleaning is usually not included in routine preventative maintenance. Youll definitely need duct cleaning after discovering mold in air ducts, but also consider getting a regularly scheduled cleaning, especially if you live in a humid climate or have trouble with mold that keeps coming back.

You can also consider installing UV light and/or Ionization air purifiers that can kill mold as well as other particles such as viruses and bacteria. Passive systems can effectively destroy particles on surfaces in your HVAC system , while active systems can also destroy airborne contaminants, including odors and VOCs.

If you have issues with mold after taking these steps, its time to look into an underlying cause of humidity in your home or business, which may be accumulating outside your HVAC system:

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Signs Of Mold In Your Hvac System

Each persons residence may have one or more of the common signs of mold. In an HVAC system, you will need to start with your sense of smell before moving on to visible evidence. Here are a few of the common conditions that indicate mold is growing in the home:

It is more likely that you will smell mold if you live in a warmer, humid climate and have the air conditioning running. You dont have to wait until you actually see signs of growth or damage to address the problem. You may be able to tackle a small instance of mold growth on your own, but bringing in professional help is often the best solution. There are some natural DIY techniques that can help remove the mold, but if your problem is severe, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends using a professional remediation service. Inhaling mold spores can be damaging to your health, and special equipment and protective gear may need to be used to safely remove an infestation without causing it to spread to other parts of the house.

How Much Does It Cost To Remove Mold From Air Ducts

The cost for mold remediation in your air ducts can and will vary. Depending on the severity of the mold infestation within the ducts and the rest of your home, the costs may be significantly higher. Pricing can range anywhere from $500 to $6,000 for full air duct cleaning. Mold remediation for the rest of your home may incur additional costs.

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Keep An Eye On The Area

Finally, mold removal doesnt help at all if you do it once and forget about it. Mold can grow in as little as 48 hours, so youll have to keep an eye on the problem areas. If mold and mildew keep coming back, you may have a moisture problem. Consider insulating your ductwork, purchasing a dehumidifier, or contacting an HVAC professional to get your HVAC systems mold problem under control.

How To Clean Mold Out Of Ductwork

Mold gets into your homes ductwork when there is moisture inside the ductwork. As your air conditioner circulates cool air through the air ducts on hot days, the humidity in the air can condense in the ductwork. The moisture in the air beads up on the walls of the ducts. The presence of this moisture allows mold spores to grow and colonize inside the ductwork.

Mold spores get into the ductwork by blowing in elsewhere in your home or from the outdoors. The warm moist environment in the ductwork can be an ideal place for mold to grow. When it is growing in your air ducts, the spores will be circulated through the mechanical equipment, blown through your system and into the air throughout your entire home. This may be one of the biggest reasons why you need to clean your duct work.

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