4 min read
Indoor mold is a tricky problem. If you discovered mold in your bathroom, and the remediation and restoration process has just finished, you may not be aware that a second mold infestation is brewing in your kitchen.
This brings us to the one place you shouldn’t overlook if you have a mold problem: your vents and air ducts.
HVAC units push air with high moisture content through air ducts and vents. As temperatures shift from 60 to 90 degrees, these narrow spaces become ideal for mold and mildew. Now, mold spores are light and invisible to the naked eye. They float on air and can quickly spread via air ducts. If the conditions in the ducts are just right – humid and moist – bacterial growth can start. Next thing you know, you’re experiencing health complications and seeing signs of mold damage in your house again.
To avoid the detrimental effects of mold on your home and family’s health, have your HVAC system checked by experts in mold remediation in Washington, DC.
Signs You Need Air Duct Cleaning and Mold Remediation
How often do you think about cleaning out your air ducts? If the answer is seldom, you’re not alone. Air vents get the “out of sight, out of mind” treatment from many. Don’t commit the same mistake, and watch out for the following signs of mold in your HVAC system:
- Musty Odor: If there’s mold in your AC, heater vents, and air ducts, you’ll notice a dank, musty smell that worsens when you turn on the air conditioning or heating.
- Increasingly Severe Allergy-like Symptoms: People sensitive to mold spores will immediately experience allergic symptoms, like sneezing, itchiness and redness around the eyes, a scratchy throat, etc. If these symptoms persist even if you keep your home spotless, and if they worsen the more you spend time inside your house, hidden mold could be the problem.
- Inexplicable Health Problems: Prolonged mold exposure can also lead to various health problems. Mold is the likely culprit if these symptoms seem to happen or worsen when you’re at home:
-
- Respiratory issues (i.e., coughing, wheezing, congested sinuses)
- Frequent headaches
- Chest pains
- Brain fog
-
- Black Dust or Spotting: A visual inspection of the vents and air ducts should confirm the presence of mold. Black dust or spotting on the vents is usually a telltale sign of mold in an AC or air duct. Consult experts in mold removal in Washington, DC, if this red flag appears.
- Clogged AC Drain and Condensate Pans: Since spores need water to proliferate, the chances of mold increase sharply if your HVAC system has drainage and condensate issues.
It would be fortunate if dust is all you find when you check your vents. A standard air duct cleaning would then suffice. However, if you discover a large amount of mold, you’ll likely need professional mold remediation.
What To Expect From Professional Mold Remediation in Washington, DC
Mold remediation must be done carefully and using appropriate tools and equipment. It’s okay to use a wet wipe to remove mold when it is only a tiny speck on a smooth, hard surface. However, if the microbial growth occurs on a porous surface or if there’s more than you’re comfortable cleaning on your own, it would be better to call a professional.
Here’s what usually happens when you hire a company offering mold removal in Washington, DC:
- Inspection: Mold remediation specialists open your air ducts or AC unit to look for mold.
- Remediation: Specialists with proper protective and remediation equipment will remove the mold and disinfect the affected areas.
- Cleanup and Minor Demolition: If the mold left substantial damage to the vents and adjacent materials like wood, wallpaper, or insulation foam, your mold remediation company might recommend removing the damaged parts and hiring restoration specialists to repair them.
- Air Quality Test: Once mold remediation is done, a final air quality test should be conducted with the ventilation system turned on. A common mistake in mold remediation is that companies perform the air quality test with the ventilation off. Their results would come out clean, keeping everyone in the dark about any remaining mold in the air ducts.
Hiring an expert in mold remediation in Washington, DC, is crucial to ridding your house of mold. If done incorrectly, mold removal can cause spores to spread further in your home. Mold remediation, therefore, is a job that should be done right the first time.
Choose a company that upholds high standards in mold remediation and property restoration. Contact Restoration 1 of Washington, DC, to schedule a consultation and request a cost estimate.
