What Causes Mold Growth in HVAC and How to Get Rid of It

What Causes Mold Growth in HVAC and How to Get Rid of It

People often do not consider mold growth as particularly serious, though it can lead to various health issues and structural damage in your home. Black mold and other mold species are toxic and can further complicate the air condition in your home. Mold problems are even worse when they have to do with your HVAC system and should be treated ASAP.

Why Does Mold Grow in the HVAC System?

The HVAC system is usually a conducive place for mold growth due to the temperature variations in the system.

Mold will most likely grow in the air conditioner during warmer months because the warm air in the atmosphere condenses when it comes into contact with the cooler air in the air conditioner. When the water droplets settle on the AC parts, they make the system conducive for mold growth. If you also fail to clean your condensate drain line, it will lead to sludge buildup, which can induce mold growth in the system.

On the other hand, the heating system is usually a breeding ground for mold during the colder months, especially when it is not in use. Furthermore, leaks that allow warm air into your air ducts can facilitate mold growth in your HVAC system.

Is Mold in the HVAC Dangerous?

Having mold in your HVAC system is even more dangerous than mold growing in other parts of your home. This is because your HVAC system is responsible for your home's air circulation and connects all parts of living space. If mold grows in the ducts, you'll only end up spreading mold spores through the entire building.

When your HVAC introduces mold spores into the air, you can easily inhale or ingest the spores and expose yourself and your family to mold symptoms and health hazards.

Health Hazards of Having Mold in Ducts

When you have mold in your HVAC, your health is in danger. When your ductwork is contaminated, you may experience some symptoms of mold exposure. These symptoms include:

  • Sneezing
  • Stuffy and runny nose
  • Worsening asthma symptoms
  • Allergic reactions like skin rash and inflammation
  • Headache
  • Itchy eyes
  • Coughing or wheezing

When left unmanaged, or if mold is not removed, these symptoms can deteriorate into serious respiratory problems.

How to Check for Mold in Ductwork

To check for mold in the ductwork:

  1. Look for dark, damp areas in your vents, heating, and air conditioning area.
  2. Unscrew your vent and look for visible mold, which can have a black, green, or white color.
  3. Look into your drain pan and evaporator coils for discoloration, dampness, and debris.

You can also check for a musty smell in the air from your vents, air conditioning, and heating system whenever they're in use.

However, the best way to check for mold in ductwork is to hire professional experts to conduct mold inspections on your HVAC system. This is to ensure that state-of-the-art equipment will be used to discover the presence of mold, even when visible mold can't be seen.

Will Regular Air Duct Cleaning Remove Mold?

If you have ever asked yourself, "Will regular air duct cleaning remove mold," the answer is yes. Regular air duct cleaning will rid your HVAC system of mold growth because it will ensure that the system will not be conducive to mold growth.

However, to prevent future mold growth in your HVAC system, mere cleaning will not suffice. You must filter and sanitize the air around your HVAC and home. Professional sanitization rids the air and HVAC surfaces of mold spores that could resettle at a later time to cause another bout of mold infestation.

How to Eliminate Mold from the Entire House

Mold presence in the home or office can constitute a nuisance and cause health complications with prolonged exposure. So eliminating mold from your premises will definitely be a wise decision to make. However, to completely remove indoor mold, the best approach will be to hire a mold removal company to carry out mold removal and remediation on your premises.

Before the mold removal itself, it's recommended to conduct mold testing and inspection to discover hidden mold in your home. Our experts will employ industry-grade equipment to remove visible mold growth, filter and sanitize the air to improve its quality and prevent further mold growth.

How Can Dustless Duct Help?

To ensure that your HVAC system is free of mold infestation, it is best to hire professional help from Dustless Duct for air duct cleaning and mold remediation. DIY mold removal will only expose you to further mold hazards. Call us now at 888-758-1835. Our experts are well-experienced with ducts and mold and will ensure that your entire home is completely mold-free. You deserve to be in perfect health and have top-quality air in your home.

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