Having mold in your home isn’t good, but when the mold is growing in your ductwork, it is even a greater problem. That’s because all the air in your home must pass through the ductwork before it reaches the various rooms. So if there is mold inside this passageway, the whole home is contaminated, and the air quality is poor in general.
That means that mold is more likely to grow elsewhere and that health issues are going to be exacerbated. If there is excessive moisture in your ducts (i.e., condensation doesn’t evaporate, but water pools instead) as those mold spores come in contact with the moisture, it starts to grow.
If this situation is something that you suspect, you should contact a certified mold specialist right away to come and do proper testing, and if necessary, removal. Here are warning signs to be on the lookout for.
Health Problems With Your Family?
Does it seem like your allergies are extra bad this year? Does it seem like your family members keep getting frequent colds?
This nasal congestion and respiratory irritation may actually be because of mold reducing air quality and not a cold or allergies at all.
Other common health ailments that you may get when you inhale mold spores are dizziness and skin problems, like rashes.
A Strong Unpleasant Odor Throughout Your Home
If you’ve got mold growth localized to one room (i.e., you’ve got mold growing in your basement as a result of a plumbing leak), then you would pretty much only experience that musty mold odor in that room or right nearby.
However, if you smell that pungent odor everywhere that you go in your home, then there is a good chance that the mold is inside the ductwork.
As the air passes over the mold, and air quality is lessened, it is wafting that odor along with it, on the way to all of your rooms.
Mold is Visual
One of the most reliable ways to check if you have mold is to do a visual inspection of the exterior of your ductwork. Are there any stains visible? If mold is growing on the inside, you will probably see evidence of staining on the outside.
Also, be on the lookout for a foam-like substance on the outside of the ducts. That could be telling you that there is mold inside.
It might give you greater peace of mind to have your air ducts cleaned professionally so that you can proactively manage the debris in your ducts. We’re happy to help in Pensacola, FL.
