With temperatures dropping all across the U.S., it seems like everyone is cranking up their furnaces to keep the cold at bay.
While the heat is necessary, it can also create the perfect environment for mold.
The furnace pushing against the cold air creates condensation in return, and with that comes the possibility for the dreaded “M” word… mold.
Nobody wants think about it, let alone deal with it, but where there’s mold, there’s a mold removal process that can help.
I’m here to make the entire process a little bit easier, so let’s get started with the basics first.
Do I Have Mold Behind My Furnace?
Before you need to think about mold removal, let’s determine whether or not you actually have mold.
Don’t get too excited. I can’t give you an answer here in this article.
There are a few signs you may have mold behind your furnace. Have you noticed a musty smell? Are your walls slightly discolored? If so, there’s a good chance you’ve got some mold growing in the area.
You’ll need certified mold inspectors to come to your house to do that. You’re in luck if you’re reading this though because all of our mold inspectors and applicators are certified by the National Association of Mold Professionals (NAMP) and Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC.)
The policing of individuals calling themselves mold experts is pretty limited so, in short, do your own research on who you have inspect your home.
Our inspection process is individualized to meet your needs because not every mold problem is the same. In fact, every single one has different components and areas that need to be looked at separately.
Once you’ve determined whether or not you have mold behind, around, or in your furnace, you can decide on the details of your mold removal process. For us, this involves a detailed remediation process that will help rid your home of the mold.
Mold Removal and How a Good Air Filter Can Help
Bad news: you found mold.
Good news: you also found your way here and we can help.
There’s a lot of conflicting information on what to do for mold removal in your furnace, but one thing is for sure, a good air filter can really help the situation.
An air filter that reduces mold spores from coming through your heating and air ducts can make a world of difference. This is where MERV ratings come in to play.
Each filter has a specific rating and that rating determines how efficient the air filter is. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (or MERV) can range from one, which is the lowest efficiency and has minimum filtration, all the way up to 20, which has the highest amount of filtration and is most efficient.
Your first guess would be to go for the highest filtration rate and hope you’re in the clear.
Unfortunately, most home furnaces can’t handle more than a rating of 13 or the filter actually starts causing problems with your system. In fact, most professionals recommend a MERV rating of 11 in residential homes.
Anything in the 14-20 rating levels are typically used at hospitals. It’s important to note, the higher the rating, the sooner you need to replace the filters in order to keep maximum airflow throughout your home.
The Mold Removal Process
Once you’ve determined you have mold in your furnace and ductwork, this is where we come in. With our team of trained and certified professionals, we can start the mold removal process which includes a thorough cleaning of your ductwork.
We use a disinfectant that will help deter mold from growing there in the future. We also use containment and air filtration systems that help prevent the mold from spreading to other parts of your house during the removal process.
Call Us Today!
While it’s true, the presence of mold in your home can be alarming, but not all hope is lost. We can help you rid your home of mold and give you peace of mind in the meantime, and that’s something you can’t put a price on!
