Seven Ways To Remove Mold On Air Vents
If youve noticed mold on your air vents, lets get it dealt with right away. Well teach you how to get it away, how to prevent it but also talk through how to spot it.
Well also discuss whether its dangerous, why its there and what it looks like. By the end of this, youll be a mold on air vents expert, armed with the right knowledge to spot it, eliminate it and prevent it.
Remove Mold on Air Vents With Dawn Dish Soap
Turn off your AC unit. Remove the air vent grill and place it in a basin of warm soapy water for one hour. While it soaks, use a HEPA vacuum to clean the inside of the air vents. Use a rag soaked in soapy water to scrub the vent grill and air ducts clean. Allow everything to air dry thoroughly.
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.
Mold exposure can also 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. People who are allergic to molds will be more severely affected.
What Causes Black Mold In Air Vents And Ducts
Mold in air ducts most commonly occurs when there is moisture inside the ductwork. As cool air flows through the vents on hot days, the moisture in the air can condense inside the air vent. You can see the same principle at work when you drink an icy beverage, and water beads up on the outside of the glass. When moisture is present, mold can flourish inside vents. The mildew can be introduced into the vents in several ways.
Mold spores are generally air borne, or spread through air. Spores can enter the duct work by simply blowing in from another area of the home, or from outside. The conditions need to be right for the spores to develop, however. A single mould spore can blow inside your home and begin to develop into a colony if the conditions are right. Warmer, moist environments are ideal for mildew spores to grow.
Act Now and Remove Mold from your HomeCall a Professional Mold Remediation Specialist or Get Up to 4 Quotes Now.
Don’t Miss: How To Remove Mold From Cinder Block
How To Check For Mold In Your Air Conditioner
If a lingering musty smell or ongoing allergic reactions have tipped you off to the presence of mold, the next step is to inspect the air conditioner to verify that you have a mold problem. You can inspect a small window-mounted, freestanding, or wall-mounted unit by unplugging the unit and removing the front or back grill to access the filter.
Pull the filter out and visually inspect it for brown, black, or greenish stains that might look fuzzy. If the filter doesn’t show any signs of mold, grab a flashlight, and inspect the inside of the unit. Mildew can also produce a powdery gray or white stain.
If you have a central AC unit, this process is more difficult because the bulk of the appliance is largely inaccessible. You can use a flashlight to inspect the supply vents, air ducts, fan, and exterior AC unit for signs of mold buildup. For a more thorough inspection, you will need to hire a professional HVAC maintenance company.
Will Lysol Kill Mold
Lysol does have disinfecting products, including their mold and mildew remover spray. It eliminates mold and mildew stains, bleaches surfaces and kills 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria.
However, this product is intended for bathroom surfaces, so use on air vents at your own risk. The manufacturer does state that prolonged contact with surfaces made from metal, old porcelain or plastic laminate can lead to discoloration.
You can try other Lysol products, such as a disinfectant spray. But these are intended to prevent mold and mildew, rather than kill it. It is better for odor, bacteria and viruses than anything else.
Also Check: What Is The Best Way To Remove Mold From Walls
What To Do If You Have Mold In Your Air Conditioner
Finding mold in your air conditioner is a problem that you should deal with immediately. If the mold is heavily infesting a small air conditioner, it’s recommended to replace the unit with a new air conditioner because even with significant cleaning there is a high chance that the mold will continue to thrive in unseen areas of the appliance. However, if the mold is relatively light, then you might be able to get rid of it before it spreads throughout the AC unit.
Wear safety glasses, a face mask, and gloves, then move the unit to a space where it can be cleaned without contaminating the rest of the home, such as the driveway. Open the air conditioner and remove the filter. You can either replace the old filter if it is disposable or wash the filter in a mix of 1 part liquid bleach to 10 parts water, allowing it to soak for at least 10 minutes to kill any mold.
Rinse the filter and allow it to air dry. While the filter dries, deep-clean all affected surfaces of the air conditioner with the solution of bleach and water. Rinse off the AC unit, being careful not to soak any electrical components, and allow it to dry before reinstalling the filter.
Signs Of Mold In Your Air Ducts And Hvac System In Atlanta Metro
Its very important to clean your air ducts in Atlanta regularly, otherwise, you could end up with pesky mold in your house or commercial building. Vent cleaning helps to keep your apartment healthy and comfortable to live in, which is why it is so essential. You should watch for signs of mold in your air vents, and make sure to get them cleaned as soon as possible if these signs start to appear. Mold requires moisture to grow, so it typically appears in areas where the humidity is high. Here are some key signs that you may have mold in your air vents.
Don’t Miss: How To Clean Mold From Patio Pavers
Mold In Air Ducts Health Problems
Severe mold in your air ducts can lead to a number of health problems. The symptoms may differ from individual to individual, and they may also be affected by the period of inhalation or contact as well as the volume of spores breathed.
Mold-related health issues may include:
Eyes that are itchy or uncomfortable
Persistent sneezing and coughing
Diarrhea
Ask A Question Or Search Inspectapedia
Questions & answers or comments about how to measure the level of mold contamination in HVAC air ducts and blower units.
Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the box below and we will respond promptly.
Search the InspectApedia website
Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed:if your comment contains an image, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay. Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca
Technical Reviewers & References
Recommended Reading: How Do You Remove Mold From Fabric Furniture
How To Check For Mold In Air Ducts And 4 Ways To Eliminate It
Mold on air vents is not something you want to keep around. Especially when people in your household can be sensitive to it, exposure to mold can trigger plenty of health issues.
Thats why you must learn how to check for it and eliminate it as soon as possible. As your air duct professionals near Glendale, Arizona, well share with you tips on how to do that. Well also share with you four ways to eliminate it completely.
Mold should never be in your home, but it can grow if the conditions allow it. Typically, it shows up in places that are cool and damp. This is why mold in AC vents can be common if the right measures arent taken to prevent it.
To find out more about finding out if you have mold in air ducts and how to eliminate it fast, keep reading.
Illness And Allergy Symptoms
By far the most significant risk of having mold in your ducts is the health effects it can cause for your family. While breathing mold spores can cause symptoms in virtually anyone, some people have an allergy to mold spores that makes them especially sensitive to moldy ducts. Likewise, mold can exacerbate the symptoms of anyone in your family with pre-existing respiratory problems.
Read Also: Does Clorox Cleaner And Bleach Kill Mold
What Are The Signs Of Mold In Air Ducts
Since mold growth is so common in homes throughout the United States, its a pretty safe bet to say that your home has at least a small amount of mold. Mold in small quantities is not anything to be too worried about. However, you should be on the lookout for signs that the mold growth is becoming excessive.
How To Prevent Mold On Air Vents
Once your air ducts are nice and clean, how can you prevent mold in the future?
- Mold growth inhibitors: Look for an EPA registered mold growth inhibitor product to prevent mold regrowth in the air vents. Follow the manufacturer guidance on how to use the product properly.
- Replace filters: You should replace your HVAC filters regularly.
- Clean drip pans: Where the drip pans collect water, mold can grow quickly. You should clean your drip pans regularly to prevent this.
- Dehumidify: Keep moisture levels down in the house. You should invest in a good dehumidifier and keep it near places that are prone to mold growth.
- Regular inspections: You should hire a professional company to inspect your ventilation system regularly. This ensures there are no leaks, mold regrowth or other faults that could lead to mold and mildew. These companies can also maintain and clean the air vents to ensure theyre in tip top condition.
- Regular cleaning: Make sure youre regularly cleaning your air vents and ducts before mold appears. You can use the above methods to keep them clean so that they arent the ideal environment for mold.
- Clear path: Dont put objects or obstacles over your air vents. This limits good air circulation which can lead to mold growth.
- UV light or ionization air purifiers: These items kill mold, viruses and bacteria. Consider getting these installed within your HVAC system such as the coils or fan units to eliminate odors, mold and other nasties.
You May Like: How Is Mold Testing Done
Mold In Air Conditioners
Mold can grow in many areas in your home, particularly where it is dark and humid. So it should come as no surprise that air conditioners are one of the places where mold can be found. Unfortunately, AC units represent a particularly risky place for mold to grow, since they push air through the house.
This means that a moldy air conditioner will actually blow microscopic mold spores into the air you breathe, spreading the spores throughout the rest of your home. Since mold presents multiple health risks, its important to prevent mold from developing in your air conditioner, and to eradicate it if it does appear.
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.
Don’t Miss: What Can I Spray On Mold To Kill It
Why Should You Consider Removing Mold From Your Hvac System And Air Ducts
Having fungus in the corner of a damp room is entirely different from mold growing inside the HVAC system. When mold grows within the central heating, cooling, and ventilation system, there are high chances that every room connected to the vents receives generous amounts of mold spores. As soon as you switch your heater or air conditioner on, the microscopic particles start floating and blowing out with air into the room.
Mold is not just icky or gross. It elicits allergic reactions in most people. It can lead to unwarranted asthma attacks in children and the elderly. The effects are usually immediate. However, there are records of people suffering from rashes, inexplicable breathing troubles and irritation in the eyes. The adverse impacts on health are so expansive that experts are still carrying out studies to find out the various effects of mold on human health.
Aside from allergies, molds can cause several unexplainable reactions in humans and their pets. Almost all of them are the results of inhaling mold and spores. Additionally, duct cleaning reduces the amount of floating dust, skin cells and animal dander in the indoor air. It automatically results in fewer allergies. An HVAC company that can offer mold removal and duct cleaning services can give your home healthier air that is free from strange musty smells, harmful spores, and persistent allergens.
Indoor air quality the key to a healthy life!
Your Guide To Hvac Mold & Mold In Air Ducts
By Jennifer First published: . This post may contain affiliate links.
- 299
Bathroom mold, basement mold, shower mold, and even attic mold are usually what comes to mind when you ask someone to think about areas of their home that are prone to mold. But did you know that almost every HVAC system develops mold at some point? Even more frightening is the fact that the fastest way to spread mold through a building is through a forced-air HVAC system.
Every time your HVAC system turns on,thousands of microscopic mold spores travel through the air ducts of your homeand circulate through the air, eventually finding a cozy spot to land andpotentially flourish. The occupants and visitors of the home are also breathingin all these flying mold spores which can cause a host of health issues.
What should you do? How do you deal with HVAC mold and mold in air ducts?
Never fear! I am here with
You May Like: What Kills Black Mold Best
How To Prevent Mold In Air Conditioner
Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to prevent mold from developing in your air conditioner:
- Reduce moisture. The easiest way to avoid moisture build-up in an AC unit is back when you purchase it. Look for an AC unit with humidity control. Many modern units vent water vapour with air. If you have a unit that is designed to collect water in a reservoir, empty it regularly.
- Avoid organic debris. In addition to water and air, mold needs organic matter to breed. Clean or replace your air conditioners filter regularly, and vacuum the interior to clear out any dust and debris. Dont give mold any food to live on!
- Keep unit running while on vacation. Mold tends to build up when the air conditioner is not running and the air is still. Keep your unit running, even when on vacation. To reduce energy consumption, you can set the target temperature higher so it runs less often, but dont shut it off altogether.
Unfortunately, air conditioners represent a particular problem area for mold, since they push the air and mold spores through the house and into the air you breathe. The risk of black mold in particular makes it important to be vigilant about mold in air conditioners and nip problems in the bud.
It may feel intimidating, but dont feel discouraged. Knowledge is power, and knowing to keep an eye out for mold in your air conditioner will help you keep your home healthy and happy.
Get Special Gift: Industry-Standard Mold Removal Guidelines
Will A Uv Light Remove Ac Mold
Using a UV light in your AC and ductwork is not the best way to remove mold. It will leave you with continued moldgrowth bottom line.
Ultra violet light breaks up the DNA of some types of mold which results in the sterilization of that mold. The concept is great if it really were that easy.
UV light only works on mold if the light is held 1-2 inchesfrom the effected surface. Depending on the surface, it takes anywhere from 10 30 seconds in that area to effectively kill the mold. As the distance theUV light is from the mold increases, the intensity of the light decreases andrenders the process ineffective.
This process when done correctly supposedly kills 99% of themold. Now lets assume there is one million mold spores in an area. Thatmeans at the end of this process, there are still 10,000 living mold sporesthat are colonized and still reproducing in the treated area. Not good.
A UV light to remove AC mold is a painfully slow and ineffective way to treat mold. UV light exposure is also harmful to people and all living organisms. These lights emit ozone that is bad for the lungs, emit ultra violet radiation which is bad for the skin as well as damaging to the eyes and the immune system.
Dont fall prey to those UV lights for mold removal. Youwill be worse off than you were without them.
Don’t Miss: What Are The Effects Of Mold In Your House
