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Mold is a natural pathogen that is all around us. It’s in the air and it can collect on surfaces growing both inside and outside our homes. Is there mold in your home? Pure Air North Carolina offers mold removal and remediation with demolition-free dry fog technology.
Coming into contact with mold is pretty much unavoidable, and unless you are highly sensitive to mold is unlikely to cause any issues. However, having too much mold in your home and constantly breathing it in will lead to adverse reactions in most people.
Reasons To Keep Mold Out of Air Ducts
Many homes will have a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system with air ducts running to every room in the house.
when mold is growing in these systems there’s a good chance that mold spores are being pumped into the air you are breathing every time you turn on the heating or air conditioning. And as mentioned above this can cause anything from mild to severe allergic reactions.
Breathing in mold spores can be particularly problematic for children, the elderly and anyone with underlying health conditions, especially those that are related to the respiratory system.
Studies have shown that indoor air quality is often worse than the quality of the air outside which is pretty worrying when it comes to keeping your family safe and well. Unfortunately, mold loves to grow in warm, moist environments meaning our homes are the perfect breeding ground so it’s important to stay vigilant if you want to keep your air fresh and safe to breathe.
Signs that you have a mold problem include:
A musty smell or the smell of mildew. If you can smell this in several rooms and there are no obvious signs of mold then your air ducts could be the culprit.
Itchy eyes, watering eyes, a runny nose or an irritated throat can all be signs of mold. If these symptoms are worse or only occur when you turn the air conditioning, heating or ventilation on then again your air ducts might have mold.
Headaches, tiredness and nausea that disappear when you are outside are also a sign that you are breathing in mold. You might not realize it at first but if you are experiencing these symptoms and can’t pinpoint the issue it might be time to check for mold.
And of course if you can see mold growing around the vents or in the drip trays then you know you have a problem.
Preventing Mold in Air Ducts to Keep Your Air Pathogen Free
Air ducts are a prime spot for mold growth but there are plenty of things you can do to prevent its growth. And remove it if you do discover mold.
Regular Cleaning
This might seem like a pretty obvious suggestion but keeping your air ducts clean really is the best way to prevent mold growth. Mold needs organic matter to feed on and this includes dust which is mostly skin cells.
Cleaning your air ducts isn’t an easy job so it isn’t surprising that people often let a lot of time elapse between cleanings, and in fact, you may never have cleaned the air ducts in your home. The easiest thing to do, especially if you have a mold problem, is to let the professionals do it. And to schedule in regular cleaning to prevent mold growth in the first place.
Regularly emptying and cleaning any drip trays is also an important task that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Install an Air Purification System
Installing an air purification system can be a great way to help prevent mold in air ducts and reduce the frequency of cleaning required.
Air purifiers work by drawing air through filters which trap tiny airborne particles including dust, smoke and mold spores. Cleaner, fresher, better smelling air is then circulated around the room. This can also have a big impact for any allergy sufferers.
Keep Humidity Levels in Check
As well as needing something to feed on, mold spores need a moist, humid environment to grow. Installing a dehumidifier can make a big difference to the air quality in your home and is particularly recommended for preventing mold growth, in your air ducts or anywhere else for that matter.
Check Ducts Regularly for Blockages and Leaks
Move furniture to ensure nothing is blocking your air vents. Blocked air ducts can lead to dampness which is an invitation to mold. Likewise, if you notice a leak get it fixed straight away.
While you are checking it’s a good idea to check for any visible signs or mold within the ducts as well.
Make Sure You Have The Correct System
Having the right heating, ventilation or air conditioning system can make a big difference to the air quality in your home and be a key factor in preventing mold growth. A system that is too large can result in excess humidity and mold infestation as a result.
Eliminating Mold
If you do discover mold growth it is important you do everything you can to eliminate it from your home or it will quickly return. Just removing it from air ducts may not be enough so you should perform a whole house check on a regular basis as well.
Areas to check include:
Check Naturally Humid Rooms
The kitchen, bathroom and laundry room are prime spots for mold growth as they tend to be damper than other areas in your home. Check these areas regularly, in particular areas behind furniture or appliances that you might not see.
Check the Basement
A damp basement can easily lead to mold and spores can quickly spread to other areas of the house.
Check Windows
If you notice a lot of condensation this can be a sign that mold growth might occur. Opening windows regularly and keeping windowsills dry can really help with preventing mold growth.
Check your Gutters
It might not seem the most obvious thing to do to prevent old but blocked guttering can lead to leaks and water getting into your home. This can then lead to mold growth in areas you don’t spend a lot of time in like the attic or the basement, or cause mold to grow behind wallpaper and in hidden dark corners.
Check for Leaking Pipes
Leaking pipes can cause big problems so it’s a good idea to actively check. If you notice your water bill is higher than usual you could have a leak that needs fixing.
Check your House Plants
House plants can be an unexpected source of mold and therefore mold spores. Check the soil for signs of mold and think about choosing plants like succulents that don’t require too much water.
In the event mold does enter your air ducts or home, call Pure Air North Carolina right away. We can remove mold safely and efficiently with our proprietary dry fogging technology.
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