Ductwork transports warm and cool air from your HVAC unit throughout the various vents in your home. Without routine duct cleaning, these areas may be affected by mold and mildew over time, causing unpleasant odors and respiratory problems. To help you understand how this happens and stay safe, here’s more information about how mold develops in ductwork and what to do about it. 

Your Guide to Mold In HVAC Air Ducts

How It Develops

Mold spores need a warm, dark, and moist environment to thrive. Unfortunately, your HVAC system’s ductwork meets all of these criteria. Spores may enter your vents from the outdoors or another damp area of your home, such as the basement or bathroom. They typically multiply rapidly, so time is of the essence when combatting mold. 

Common Signs of Mold

One of the first signs of mold is the presence of a foul, musty odor that intensifies when you run your HVAC system. You might also notice black spots on or around your air vents.

If you’ve been exposed to mold, you may also start experiencing allergy symptoms. These include a runny nose, itchy eyes, irritated skin, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. These may be worse for those with asthma or respiratory conditions.

How to Treat & Prevent Problems

The best way to prevent mold from spreading in your duct system is to hire an HVAC contractor to inspect your home whenever you experience suspicious symptoms. If they find a colony, they’ll work with restoration experts to remove it. 

To prevent recurrences, the technician will also perform air duct cleaning. This will remove any spores from this area and address the causes of the mold formation. They may also recommend you use a dehumidifier in moist rooms to prevent mildew and mold from entering your HVAC vents in the future.

Keep your home mold-free with routine duct cleaning from Air Pro Duct Cleaning. These HVAC contractors offer residential and commercial duct and dryer vent cleaning to clients throughout Columbia Falls, MT. They use a power vacuum to make sure your system is free of debris to prevent damage and ensure smooth operation. Call (406) 752-0652 to get a quote on duct cleaning and book an appointment. Visit them online to learn more about how this process works.