Sometimes you’ll see images of mold online and probably think to yourself, “How did the owners miss THAT?” or “Why would anyone ever let the issue go that long?”
I know I did before I worked in the mold removal industry.
The truth is, most of the time mold is really good at hiding and you don’t know it’s there until it’s gotten too big for you to handle the removal yourself.
This is especially the case when it comes to the ductwork of your air and heating unit.
Mold Growth in Your Ductwork
If we’ve learned anything on this blog, it’s that mold needs exactly two things to survive: a feeding source and water.
You know what builds up in the ductwork of your house? Moisture.
You know what else is in there? Dust, dirt, and debris. And guess what? All three of those things are viewed as tasty treats for mold colonies.
Because your air ducts are responsible for circulating air throughout your house, they’re also circulating mold spores.
Before you panic, there are a few steps you can take to rectify the situation.
Mold Inspection and Removal
If you do suspect there’s mold in your ductwork, you should call a professional. They’ll have the tools needed to remove the mold, as well as give you information behind what caused it and what you can do to prevent it from coming back.
They’ll also be able to tell you what areas in the rest of your house are prone to mold growth and why. Once you know what you could be doing to invite mold into your home, you’ll have a better plan of attack on what to do to prevent it.
When a company like Mold Solutions inspects your house for mold, they use tools such as a moisture meter and a borescope to get a better idea of where mold is located. If you’re suspicious you have mold in your air ducts, be sure to tell the inspector. This way they’ll know to use that as a starting point.
For removal, your air ducts will need to be thoroughly cleaned. This gets rid of all the food sources the mold has been using. As we rid the ducts and other areas of mold, we’re careful in making sure that spores don’t contaminate other areas of your house. To do this, we use proper containment and air filtration devices.
We then treat the area with an antimicrobial solution that helps with future mold prevention.
There’s no product out there that can 100% guarantee mold will not grow in the same area again, but if you do your part in keeping up with preventative measures, you have a good chance of keeping mold out of your home.
Contacting Professionals
If you believe you have mold in your home or facility, but don’t know where to start, feel free to contact us. We have an entire team of certified and knowledgeable individuals who are on hand and ready to take your call. Contact us today!
