The fungus commonly known as mold can
wreak havoc on homes and health alike. If you struggle with
respiratory issues or you believe that you have a mold problem in
your home, your air ducts may serve as a breeding ground for this
unwanted substance, helping to direct mold spores into every room.
A basic understanding of how and why
mold proliferates in your air ducts can help you recognize and fight
mold infiltration not only through professional air duct cleaning,
but also through smart preventative strategies. Here are four
important things you need to know about this problem.
1. Mold Differs From Mildew
Some people use the words mold and
mildew interchangeably, but these words actually refer to two
distinct categories of fungi. While both mold and mildew require
moisture to thrive and may appear in the same areas of the home, they
differ greatly in some key respects.
You can usually tell mildew by its
relatively light color. Fuzzy gray or white patches in damp places
indicate the presence of mildew. Mildew can grow in air ducts just as
it can on walls, ceilings, or paper products. Fortunately, this
fungus rarely causes significant structural or health problems.
Mold usually features a green or black
coloration that makes it easy to spot. If you have mold in your air
ducts, you may see bits of mold attached to your vent grills. Unlike
mildew, mold spores can cause serious respiratory health problems
while also damaging home structures.
2. Mold in Air Ducts Can Stem From
Several Causes
Mold thrives on moisture. While HVAC
air ducts commonly see plenty of moisture from the condensation
involved in air conditioning, excess moisture can come from a variety
of origin points. Some of these problems indicate an HVAC issue, but
others could stem from other systems or problems in the home.
Air conditioning malfunctions can allow
water to collect within the system, creating an incubator for mold.
For instance, an HVAC system that doesn't drain condensation
correctly may have standing water in its condensate pan. This water
may migrate to the air ducts, or it may spawn mold within the pan.
In some cases, your mold problem may
have reached your air ducts from some other component entirely. If
your whole house humidifier has developed a malfunction, it may
harbor mold which it then relays to the air ducts. Even a plumbing
leak can send water into your HVAC system, setting the stage for mold
infiltration.
3. Mold Removal Usually Requires
Professional Assistance
Some surface mold, such as the mold
clearly visible on a vent grill, may look easy to remove by hand.
This action, however, can send spores into the air, allowing them to
settle in your lungs or on your skin. If you worry about potentially
toxic effects, leave any mold cleaning tasks to professionals.
The problem of mold lurking deep with
air ducts and other air conditioning components calls for specialized
tools and expertise. Professional air duct cleaning techniques can
remove mold, mildew, and the dust that these substances often use as
a food source, leaving you with clean, mold-free air.
In rare circumstances, moldy air
conditioning components may need total replacement. This problem
sometimes comes up with damp fiberglass insulation lining the inside
of an air duct, which may create an ongoing mold risk unless you
replace the duct.
4. Mold Prevention Practices Can
Help Keep Air Ducts Clean
You can adopt certain preventative
practices to keep mold from overtaking your air ducts. Use your air
conditioner or dehumidifier as frequently as you can, especially
during humid weather, to draw unwanted moisture out of the air. When
these devices aren't running, operate fans or vents to keep the air
moving.
Watch out for mechanical issues that
raise your risk for mold growth. Schedule regular HVAC inspections to
check for problems such as water or mold in your condensate pan.
Arrange for periodic plumbing inspections to make sure that leaky
pipes don't dampen your HVAC system.
Take control of your air duct mold
situation, starting today. Contact C.
J. Services, Inc.
for an air duct inspection and/or cleaning.
