WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF MOLD IN MY HVAC SYSTEM AND HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A PROBLEM?
Mold is common enough. It grows just about anywhere there is excess moisture. In the case of your heating and cooling (HVAC) system, that means the ductwork, AC evaporator coils, and drip pans can, unfortunately, be good habitats for mold growth. This becomes a problem when left unchecked as mold can spread through the ductwork system and then contaminate your entire home or office when made airborne by the “forced air” of your heating and cooling system. If you need a HVAC mold removal pro, give us a call and we can help!
WHAT IS MOLD?
Mold is a natural microscopic element in any environment, indoor or outdoor. Mold spores float through the air, both inside and outside, and colonies begin to grow when they land in moist environments, devoid of sunlight. These spores can make up a significant amount of dust in your household and workplace, which then can cause health problems for you and your family.
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT MOLD GROWTH?
Mold growth is a natural part of our ecosystem. However, when mold is introduced and grows unchecked indoors mold spores have nowhere to go but within their environment. When you have mold growth in accessible areas, such as under your sink, on your walls, in your bathroom, those are comparatively easier to deal with than in your ductwork. When mold is in your HVAC system, it can be dangerous and cause potential health problems because your HVAC system circulates anything within it throughout your home. While most molds may be harmless, causing respiratory irritation, there are some molds that can cause serious problems.
Molds that produce mycotoxins, known as “toxic molds”, can be extremely harmful to your family’s health, especially with daily exposure.
Because of this, checking for mold should be an important aspect of your routine self-inspection of your home. If you have mold or suspect mold in your HVAC system, you will need a professional for HVAC mold removal. This will ensure you or your family is not breathing in unhealthy air. Here are three warning signs:
THREE EASY WAYS TO DETERMINE MOLD GROWTH
- Do a visual inspection. Large colonies of mold are often visible to the human eye. Typically, though, this is only after significant mold growth. Check your vent covers, visible portions of your vents, drip pans, and evaporator coils.
- Use your nose. Large areas of mold growth will give off a tell-tale “mildew” like odor. Again, smaller colonies will be harder to detect in this way. If you smell mildew, turn your system off for a period of 20 minutes. When you turn it back on, check to see if you smell mildew again. If you smell the mildew during the time when your system is off and it returns when you turn it back on, you may have mold in your system.
- Call a professional. If you suspect mold growth, the best way to rule it in or out is with proper testing. Action Pro can help. Ask a customer service representative about certified HVAC mold testing.
Remember, having your HVAC system cleaned properly, every three to five years, by trained technicians using professional duct cleaning equipment is a great way to remove or reduce harmful airborne irritants commonly found inside duct work.
Lastly, Action Pro always includes an ANTI-MICROBIAL FOG SYSTEM with our duct service packages, that destroys mold and other harmful bacteria on contact. A very effective first step.
