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Mold can thrive in cold and damp environments. And more often than not, some places are not immediately visible to you — including your air ducts. When you skip hiring professional Duct cleaning services, mold can grow in these areas and leave the very air you and your loved ones breathe contaminated.
The most common types of mold present in air ducts include Acremonium (characterized by a white powdery appearance), Alternaria (typically brown or green), Trichoderma (gray or green in color, it can quickly spread throughout your duct system), and Stachybotrys (a toxic, black-colored mold).
How do you know if there’s mold growing in your air ducts? Here are four tell-tale signs.
Strong musty odor. According to professionals providing duct cleaning services, one of the most vital indicators of mold growth in air ducts is the presence of a distinctively pungent smell. Mold (especially Stachybotrys) gives off a musty and mildew-like odor that can be extremely irritating. The smell can be more pungent around air vents and is heightened when you turn on your HVAC system.
Increased indoor moisture. As the mold continues to occupy your air ducts, you can feel increased moisture within your home. While this added moisture is already unpleasant to handle, it can further encourage mold growth. This is why immediate action is needed once you suspect that your air ducts have become a breeding ground for these hazardous microorganisms.
Visible presence of mold around the vents. It’s definitely high time for you to hire duct cleaning services once you notice mold presence has reached other parts of your homes — including the immediate wall around your air vents. If these surfaces have been stained by blackish, brownish, greenish, or yellowish colors (and there is black dust around them as well) it’s highly likely caused by mold growth inside your air ducts.
Sudden illnesses and appearance of symptoms. Mold can pose an acute to a serious threat to you and your household’s health. Here are some of the health consequences caused by too much mold exposure:
Allergies. Can’t stop sneezing? Got itchy eyes? Having a skin irritation? These allergic reactions can be prompted by mold growing in your air ducts.
Respiratory issues and itchy throat. Getting exposed to mold can affect the way you and your family breathe. If someone within your household experiences respiratory issues or has an itchy throat or has his/her asthma triggered, you should definitely consider having your air ducts and HVAC system cleaned.
Nausea. If you turn on your AC and you start feeling nauseous, it can be attributed to mold spores present in your indoor air. This is often accompanied by fatigue, headache, and dizziness.
Duct cleaning services can help you have cleaner air to breathe at home or at the office. Contact JCS Home Services for more info on how we can help you.
