It is possible that mold has grown in your home’s HVAC system if your air ducts emit a musty scent. Chaetomium and Fusarium are common types of air duct mold. To grow, mold needs warmth, moist air, and food. Air vents, drip pans, ducts are all prime locations for mildew growth. Call Supreme Vent Cleaning in Phoenix for air vent cleaning.
Mold Signs in Air Ducts
Mold in air ducts can be detected by a foul or musty smell. Mold spores are released when a mold colony grows. They spread through your house and feed off organic material such as dust or dead skin cells. The odor is very strong and like a dog’s wet smell. You can detect this in many rooms of your house where air vents have been installed.
Also, you can check for dust or dark spots on air vents. You should check your walls, ceilings, and furniture for green or black patches. The air that moves through the vents can carry the spores into other parts of the house. You may have an air duct problem. Contact a professional Phoenix air duct cleaner who will inspect the entire system, check for any problems, and clean and treat mold. Supreme Vent Cleaning Phoenix can help you today!
You may also experience headaches and irritated or runny eyelids if you suspect mold growth in your air ducts. All these symptoms can be caused by inhaling the mold spores. They may also get worse with time.
The evaporator coils of air conditioners can produce moisture, which leads to the growth of mold on the drip pans. Water can flow through leaky or loose connections and into air ducts in some instances. The problem is more common when the home’s air is humid. To prevent condensation, it is important to clean out supply and returns vents.
Slow leaks from the wall of your home can cause mold to grow in air ducts. This can lead to moist and dim conditions inside the ducts which are the perfect breeding grounds for mold. It is possible to prevent mold growth by keeping vents clean and repairing leaks.
If you have an older house with ductwork which has not been updated, it may be difficult to clean and inspect your ductwork regularly. Supreme Vent Cleaning Phoenix AZ can provide a thorough inspection of your air ducts and a cleaning using approved killing agents if you suspect mold. Visit our website to get a free estimate if you’re considering air vent cleaning in Phoenix.
Symptoms of Mold in Your Air Ducts
You can tell if you see black dirt settling on your vents if it is mold. Black dirt is the result of mycotoxins (or mycelia), which are toxic spores from mold. They are hard to wipe off and they will only worsen over time. Don’t ignore the warning signs. You may also have mold in your ducts if you notice black dust on your walls, furniture, or flooring.
In addition to the black dust, your house may have a musty scent, especially if you are running the HVAC system. This is because mycelia emits an unpleasant musk-like smell. You may also notice the musk odor is stronger near the air vents or in areas where moisture gathers. The spores that mold produce in your ductwork feed off moisture and dead skin. When these spores get into the air, they can cause respiratory problems for everyone. This is true especially for infants, young children, elderly people, and those who have pre-existing breathing conditions.
Mold in your ductwork may also cause headaches and itchy eyes. These symptoms are caused by mycotoxins, or mold spores, that are inhaled into the air by your family. These spores may also irritate mucus membranes in the nose and throat.
You can clean mild mold spores in your ducts with a solution of bleach (1:16) to water and dish detergent. You will have to remove your vents from the ceiling or wall and soak them for a few moments in the cleaner. Also, you will need to scrub the vents thoroughly. It is vital that you turn off your HVAC system first before beginning this process. This will prevent the spores from spreading throughout the house.
If you have a more serious issue, call a professional to perform air duct cleaning with mold removal in Phoenix. Supreme Vent Cleaning in Phoenix are here to help! Our technicians use high-quality agents and specialized tools to kill mold spores.
How to Test for Mold in Your Air Ducts
Mold thrives in damp environments, so the dark air vents are the ideal place to grow. Mold spores can cause respiratory problems when they are inhaled into the home by people who use the HVAC. The spores are also known to trigger allergies and can even cause more serious health problems in those who are predisposed. The vents will emit a foul or musty odor when turned on. The mold growth in your dark vents is the cause of this odor. It should be checked immediately.
A mold test kit is the easiest and most convenient way to check for mold. These kits can be bought at most hardware stores for a relatively low price. But it’s important to note that DIY mold tests may not be as accurate as professional evaluations and they could sometimes give a false-positive.
It is harmful to all, but especially dangerous for infants and small children. Also, older people, those with compromised immune systems, or those who suffer chronic respiratory conditions are at risk. Inhaling mold can cause cold like symptoms, headaches fatigue nausea and more. It is important to report these symptoms as soon as you can to an expert to ensure that the problem is addressed and does not spread to other areas of your home.
When to Call for Air Duct Cleaning
It’s time to contact the professionals if you see mold growing around or on your vents and air ducts. This is a common sign that your vents and ducts should be cleaned. Supreme Vent Cleaning in Phoenix for air vent cleaning in Phoenix can help.
Mold can grow on vents or in their vicinity, which will then spread mold spores throughout the home. These spores, which are allergenic, can cause respiratory problems when inhaled. You may notice symptoms of allergies such as nausea, headaches, or an itchy nose and/or throat when using your AC system.
To prevent mold from growing in your ductwork, keep them dry and clean. Check your ductwork regularly for leaks that can allow condensation to form. Your ducts will also help reduce the amount toxins and pollutants that are in your air. This can include stale smells, paint fumes from cleaning agents, tobacco smoke and mildew. It could also include dead insects and rodents that are trapped in ductwork. These odors are trapped and circulated throughout your home even after you have opened windows or used air fresheners.
A duct cleaning can also reduce your risk of having asthma attacks or other health problems. Mold spores are a trigger for these conditions and can exacerbate pre-existing conditions like asthma or hay fever.
Summary
EPA’s Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? provides an excerpt on duct cleaning and mold which follows, please review the entire document for additional information on duct cleaning and mold. Mold grows quickly in cool, damp areas. This is why you may see it on or near your air vents. It’s usually easy to tell if you have mold in your air ducts because they will often show up as dark stains or an odorous stench. If you’re unable to remove mold by yourself, hiring Supreme Vent Cleaning in Phoenix can ensure the problem will be resolved thoroughly and permanently. Our experts will be able address the root causes and stop the problem from returning. Supreme offers a 6-month guarantee on its duct-cleaning service Phoenix AZ. So don’t hesitate to contact us if mold returns.