Blog Post

4 Things You Need to Know About Air Duct Mold

Admin • March 12, 2020
Dust Collected From The Air Duct Filter — Gulf Coast, MS — C. J. Services, Inc.

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.

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