When there are moist conditions in your air duct, then it can become common that you will start to see mold developing in them. The moisture can develop from when cool air from your air conditioning condenses inside the air duct units and mold spores begin to form. This blog post looks at the different signs that you may have mold growing in your air ducts and how you can remove the mold from the system.
How Do I Know I Have Mold Growing In My Air Ducts?
- You can smell mold throughout your home
- Black mold is visible around the air ducts, vents or drip pans
There are also some longer-term health effects which you may notice:#
- Allergy-like symptoms (watery/itchy eyes, runny nose, throat irritation)
- Headaches when you are at home but no anywhere else
- Fatigue, nausea and dizziness when you are at home
What Are The Steps To Remove Mold From The Air Vents?
1. Find a mold removal agent and mold inhibitor
Firstly you will need to get some mold removal agent or mold inhibitor. You can either:
- Buy an EPA approved product. You can buy this from most hardware stores.
- Make your own by mixing a tablespoon of household detergent, half a cup of baking soda and a cup of water for porous surfaces.
- Alternatively, for non-porous surfaces mix 1 part bleach with 16 parts of water
2. Wear protective clothing
One of the essentials that you must wear when you remove mold from the air ducts of your home is an N95 mask, protective eyewear, rubber gloves and coveralls.
This is so that you are fully protected from the mold-killing agent and the mold itself.
3. Turn off your HVAC system
Next you should turn off the power of your HVAC system so you can have safe access to your air ducts, heating and cooling systems, evaporator coil and drip pans.
4. Choose your removal option:
i) Scrub & Vacuum- If you decide to scrub and vacuum the mold away, then you should soak the mold in the ducts and around the vent opening with your cleaning agent before leaving for 5 minutes.
After 5 mins, you should then use a brush or rags to scrub the area in a circular motion to remove the mold and clean any excess solution with paper towels.
Next you should vacuum the area as an extra precaution and to ensure that the vent is fully dry.
Finally, you should remove all disposable air filters and dispose them by placing them, paper towels and used rags in thick trash bags.
ii) Use a mold removal fogger machine- Alternatively, you can use a mold removal fogger machine, which can either be bought or rented from a hardware store. The machine works by turning the mold solution into a fine mist and evenly applying the solution across the surface.
If you use this method, you should follow the insutructions from the manufacturer and you will most likely need to cover all of the hearing vents in your home. You can use cardboard and masking tape to keep them covered.
5. Apply the mold inhibitor
After the duct has been cleaned, you should then apply the mold inhibitor to all the components of the HVAC system to mitigate any new mold growth.
6. Install new air filters
7. Monitor for new growth
Finally, you should keep an eye out for new mold growth and if you see it coming back, you should do it all again. If the mold keeps coming back then you should have the system professionally evaluated in case there is a hidden mold or moisture problem which needs to be repaired.
Professional Mold Removal from Above & Beyond
Mold in your air ducts can cause serious health problems for you and your family and, quite often, mold removal is a major DIY project. However, if you feel this could be a bit too challenging for yourself or would like the certainty of a professional to effectively remove the mold from your air duct, then why not get in touch with Above & Beyond. We offer mold inspection and mold removal services across New Jersey state and New York City. We also offer 24/7 emergency service, so you can have peace of mind you can get in touch any time of day.
