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.
How To Prevent Mold In Air Vents
Of course, the best way to eliminate mold in your air vents is to prevent it from forming in the first place! Want to keep yours as clean as possible? Here are a few steps to take:
- Keep your HVAC ducts clean
- Make sure there is no furniture blocking your air vents
- Clean your drip pans regularly
- Seal all vent leaks immediately
- Use a dehumidifier to balance the moisture level in your air
- Properly size any new HVAC installations
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Inspect Your Air Vents For Black Mold
The last alternative is to inspect your vents yourself. Ideally, this should be the last option you consider because it can be hazardous if you do have black mold. However, this is sometimes the fastest and most affordable way to identify the problem.
Youll need a flashlight. Check several of the vents in your home for any visible signs of black mold, accumulated dust, or dark patches on the vent. Those signs, especially combined with a musty or foul smell, are good signs that you have mold and need to clean your ducts.
Try not to spend too long near your vents if you identify black mold. The mold is toxic and long exposure can have lasting consequences for your health. Contact a professional duct cleaning or mold mitigation service to get the problem taken care of as soon as possible.
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Is Black Mold In Your Ac Vents Dangerous
The most straightforward answer to this question is yes, this type of mold is quite dangerous. The moisture inside the AC vents is responsible for this type of mold growth.
Black mold on AC vents comes with a lot of health complications, making it hazardous. Its mostly linked to respiratory-related complications.
Breathing in spores from black mold can make one experience the following health issues.
- Irritated Eyes, Nose or throat
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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.
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Change Ac Filters Regularly
Regularly changing your filters is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent dust and dirt from clogging your air vents. When debris is allowed to build up in your air vents, this promotes the accumulation of spores.
Wondering when and how to change your central air conditioner filter? Depending on the type of filter you have and the size of your family, you should change your air filters every 30 to 60 days. If you have a pet, you should change your filters more frequently. Most systems are very straightforward. You can simply remove the filter cover, take out the dirty filter, get the new filter out of its packaging and place it inside.
Why Your A/c Vents Have Water Stains Around Them
So why are you seeing these ugly stains around your vents in the first place?
Water stains around your air vents are caused by condensation. Heres an easy way to think about it: You know those little drops of water drops that form on a cold glass on a hot afternoon? Thats condensation, and basically it forms when warm air touches a cold surface.
The same process happens in your ductwork: Condensation forms when warm air from your attic meets the cold air from your air conditioner.
These little drops of water drip onto your ceiling, which eventually rots and discolors your drywall over time. In addition to being an eyesore, leaking water also damages your drywall and homes insulation.
And because Florida air contains a high amount of moisture to begin with, Tampa homes are especially susceptible to condensation problems with their ductwork.
Lets take a look at what causes condensation in your ductsâ¦
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Proactive Measures Are Better Than Reactive Measures
Its always better to stop a problem before it starts. Because mold can be harmful to your health, or others who enter your home, this is especially true. If you are cleaning the mold yourself, use of an inhibiter once the vents are clean will help prevent mold from reappearing.
Because moisture breeds mold, dealing with humidity is another proactive step to take.
A dehumidifier is especially helpful when you live in a humid region. Be mindful that an AC system reduces humidity by nature, and using a dehumidifier may only be needed during times when the AC is not in use.
Concluding Thoughts
Mold is scary, but you can handle it yourself. Just remember to make sure to protect yourself when cleaning. If mold is growing on your vents, there is cause to check other parts of the HVAC system.
Drip pans drain and any other parts of the system where moisture is present is where mold will grow. Again, theres no need to panic just apply a few simple cleaning methods.
Diy Testing Kits For Mold In Air Vents
Another option for testing your air vents for black mold is to use a DIY testing kit. The trick with DIY test kits is that theyre not as reliable as a professional, and its relatively easy to get a false negative if you dont use them properly. If you decide to go with a DIY testing kit, make sure you read all the instructions and follow them closely. You want to catch mold problems as soon as possible, so you dont want to let a false negative delay things.
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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.
How To Clean Mold On Your Ac Vents
Theres no need to panic or scramble if you find some mold on your AC vents. So long as youre willing, you can take care of it. Put yourself first, though. Before you begin, take measures to protect yourself from the mold. Rubber gloves, respiratory protection, and safety glasses are must-haves.
As far as what you will need to deal with the mold, theres no need to go nuts. Your favorite detergent, bleach , and water are what youll need. Of course, you can use commercially available EPA registered mold removal solutions and inhibitors to prevent the mold from returning.
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How Do You Know There Is Mold In Your Air Ducts
Most of the time molds are visible. When they are invisible, however, youll get their odor in the air or have people or pets in the house show certain symptoms.
The odor is often the first sign of mold in air ducts or air vents you mostly smell it before you see it. So, if you begin to perceive a musty or moldy wet smell whenever you are not using your air conditioning or heating , know that mold is growing in your HVAC system.
The visible mold will turn up around AC vents, in the ducts, and in the drip pans look out for them! Because condenser coils pull moisture out of the air and into drip pans, they become the perfect environment for mold to grow, especially if clogged.
Finally, when people or pets in the house start exhibiting symptoms like headaches, nausea, irritated nose and throat, and itchy eyes whenever the AC is on, one possible cause is mold in air ducts.
Clean The Air Vent Covers
Sometimes the air vent covers can get covered in mold and they should be cleaned. HVAC air vents are also pretty cheap. I think it is a good idea to consider buying new vent covers if your vents are very old, rusted, and moldy.
How to clean air vent covers?
You may be able to just clean it in place with a cloth and disinfectant spray. If you need to remove the vent to properly clean it, they are pretty easy to remove. Its usually just two screws that hold it in place. After removing the vent, thoroughly wash it with a brush and dish detergent. After cleaning the air vent, let it dry. I also recommend coating the air vent with a sealing spray paint such as Kilz which will help prevent new mold growth.
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How To Identify Mold Inside Air Vents
So, you know somethings going on inside your air vents, but you arent exactly sure what kind of fungal growth youre looking at.
Your first step might be to research the colour and texture of the mold to narrow down what it could be. However, even then you could get the answer wrong. The only safe and sure way is to hire a mold professional to perform a mold test and thorough inspection of your HVAC system.
Once you know what kind of mold youre dealing with, you can take the appropriate steps necessary to eradicate it.
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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Is Black Mold On Air Conditioning Vents Dangerous
Remember when we were kids and couldnt wait to grow up? Today, you probably realize that things are a bit more complicated than what you imagined in grade school. As an adult, you likely enjoy many aspects of your life, but you also recognize that theres a lot more involved than just being able to set your own bedtime!
As a homeowner , there are more things to manage than you might have realized when you signed on the dotted line, including overseeing whether your HVAC unit is running optimally. When things go wrong, it can have an impact on your familys level of comfort, health, and finances.
For this reason, its best to establish a routine maintenance plan so that any potential problems can be identified and addressed as soon as possible. One unpleasant issue that regular maintenance might reveal is the appearance of black mold in your ventilation system. This is one problem you definitely dont want to ignore!
What is Black Mold?
Youve probably heard the term black mold, but many probably dont fully understand what it is. Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, is a greenish-black mold that grows on materials such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, lint, and dust when there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding.
How to Spot Black Mold
Health Impact of Black Mold
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
Focus on Prevention
Leave Removal to the Professionals!
- Replacing air filters
How Mold Enters An Air Duct
Mold typically enters an air duct system any time steady amounts of water or condensation are present in the vents. If an air conditioning unit is infected with a strain of mold, oftentimes it will spread from the air conditioning unit throughout the air duct system. If there is a low spot in your ducts where moisture can pool, then you can bet that mold will eventually be attracted to it. Think about your air ducts, they are the perfect spot for mold to thrive without being stopped, it’s dark, untouched, and if it’s there, it’s growing off the whatever moisture is still occurring.
The best way to prevent mold from growing inside of your air ducts is to keep the ducts as dry as possible and have them regularly cleaned and checked by experienced technicians so that dirt, grime, and other water trapping substances are not present within the airways.
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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
Tip #: Upgrade Your Air Filter To A Higher Merv Rating
MERV measures the effectiveness of an air filter. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at catching small pollutants.
To catch small soot particles and other pollutants such as mold spores, we recommend using an air filter with a MERV rating of 8 or higher.
If youre interested in a higher-MERV filter, consult with an HVAC professional before you purchase one. Since higher-MERV filters are thicker, an HVAC professional may need to make modifications to your ductwork to accommodate the filter.
Want a recommendation on a high-MERV filter? We can help! Learn more about our air filter services.
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Why Is There Black Dust/mold On My Ac Vents
Worried about the black dust coming out of your vents?
Youre right to be concernedwhatever the black dust is, its probably not healthy to breathe.
Black dust coming out of AC vents is usually caused by:
- Candle or fireplace soot
In this blog, well explain each of these causes in more detail, and how you can determine which cause you may have.
Want a professional to fix your black dust issue? Our technicians are ready to help with any AC repairs you may need.
Spotting And Removing Mold
When you spot mold, you will likely want to remove it ASAP which we do recommend since mold spreads as fast as lightning. There are a couple of things you should do immediately after finding mold in your air conditioning vents.
- Stop the HVAC unit: Once you find or believe that mold is growing in your air conditioning ducts, stop running the system immediately. Failing to do so could cause mold to spread further throughout your home.
- Schedule a mold test: The only way to ensure what you have found is, in fact, mold is to get a professional mold test.
- Examine the air duct type: You should find out what your ductwork is made of, whether fiberglass, metal sheet, or flex duct. How you should clean and what you should use to clean an A/C duct depends on what the duct is made of. Removing mold from bare sheet metal is a lot easier. But, if your air ducts are made of fiberglass or insulated internally with fiberglass duct liner, they cant be effectively cleaned and must be replaced.
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