Mold prevention is the key to preventing mold infestation. If your home is already contaminated, you will need remediation, inspection, and cleaning. But after that, taking mold prevention steps will save your health. As they say, prevention is better than a cure.
Ductwork is the lungs of your home. To ensure your safety, you must make sure there are no pollutants living in it.
Mold in the Furnace and Ductwork
Mold can grow anywhere that provides food. This includes the furnace and ductwork because moisture can become trapped and build inside. The old spores feed on the organic dust, dirt, and debris that reside in dirty ducts. And moisture is the key ingredient for mold growth. Mold spores are airborne so they can enter the ductwork by blowing in from another part of the house. To be prepared, you need to know about mold prevention.
Is Mold Dangerous in Ductwork?
The ductwork is the system that distributes air in your home. Once the ductwork, vents, or blower motor are contaminated, mold spores easily and quickly spread throughout your home. This could mean potential health risks for you and your family, so it is essential to have mold prevention measures in place.
Causes of Mold Growth
Sometimes the cause of mold growth is brought into the home from the outside and usually involves water leakage from the pipes or roof. Sometimes, mold growth occurs because of a material which has cellulose in it. Flooding is also a cause of mold growth. Anything to do with the presence of moisture can be a culprit.
Symptoms of Mold Reaction
Some of the symptoms of mold allergies include wheezing, stuffy or runny nose, rashes or hives, or itchy, watery eyes. Some more serious health conditions are allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
Mold Prevention
Mold prevention for ductwork and furnaces requires having an annual maintenance check for all the systems in your home. Make sure the furnace and ductwork are clean and no mold is building up. You must maintain the cleanliness of every part to keep both in pristine condition. If it is naturally humid in your home, you might consider purchasing a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier will lessen the humidity in the air which helps mold spores thrive.
How the Experts Do It
Usually, it is best to contact a professional to inspect and clean your furnace and ductwork. An expert will give you a clear picture of which parts of your home are infested with mold.
The inspection confirms whether or not there is moisture present or mold contamination visible. If we find mold in your home, we will recommend removal.We use the best commercial duct cleaning equipment to properly clean your ductwork, ridding it of all major contaminants. During the ductwork cleaning process, we will spray a disinfectant into the ductwork to provide a deeper level of cleaning and to prevent future mold build-up. In removing the mold, we make sure mold spores do not contaminate other parts of the house by using proper containment and air filtration devices.
Conclusion
Once you confirm there is mold in your home, act fast to eradicate it. Mold in the ductwork and furnace is like a virus; it spreads like wildfire and may cause serious damage to your home and your health. Awareness and prevention will save you many headaches…literally and figuratively.
