The Basics About Mold Removal
If you've ever dealt with mold in your home, you know it's unsightly, it can grow on almost any surface, and it's hard to get rid of. Mold releases particles that can cause headaches and aggravate asthma, allergies, and other sinus problems. The fungi spread easily via spores, and the telltale mold “fuzz” isn't always easy to spot because it can hide inside walls and air ducts.
Cleaning up visible surface mold is adequate in some cases, but this is often not enough to eradicate the problem because it does not eliminate the mold spores. These tiny spores drift through the air, and when they land in hospitable moist areas they reproduce and create more mold. Surface mold cleaning is like mowing a field of dandelions – it removes the visible problem, but it doesn’t prevent the weeds from growing back!
The best way to control the presence of mold in your home is to minimize moisture. The good news: your home's heating and cooling systems can help control mold. Mold needs humidity to flourish, so the dry heat your furnace generates in the winter months helps make the environment inhospitable to mold. In the summer months, your air-conditioning helps reduce moisture in the air.
The bad news: air-conditioning and heating ducts can also harbor mold. Mold spores that attach to the inside of your ventilation system can easily be blown throughout your home. If you see moisture near a vent, or if you smell mold or mildew in parts of your home, you should have your HVAC system inspected and cleaned by an air duct cleaning professional. A thorough cleaning of your air duct system will remove the mold spores that are trapped in your ductwork.
Regardless of whether you are aware of mold issues in your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to have your air ducts cleaned annually. This will address any mold contamination and improve your air quality. A little preventative maintenance is your best bet to ensure mold won’t be a problem in your home.
