Can Mold Travel Through Air Vents? The simple answer is yes. Since the mold spores are airborne and carried through the air duct system when the furnace or air conditioner unit is turned on, the spores will travel throughout the system until coming to the place that has moisture, no sunlight and nutrients to grow.
Unfortunately, your air conditioning system and your air ducts are a common place for black mold to reside. Moisture plays a significant role in the growth of mold. Your air conditioning system can act as an incubator for black mold because of its constant change in humidity levels throughout the summer season.
In the case of your heating and cooling (HVAC) system, that means ductwork, AC evaporator coils, and drip pans are the perfect environments for mold growth. This is especially dangerous because when left unchecked, mold can spread through the air in your home and make your family sick.
For non-porous surfaces (such as steel ductwork and vent covers), you can use 1 part bleach with 16 parts water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle for ease of application. Alternatively, you can purchase an EPA-approved mold killing product. Also, purchase an EPA-approved mold inhibitor to apply after the cleaning.
Most people know that black mold is hazardous, but black mold in air vents is particularly dangerous and can easily make you sick. So it's essential to make sure you're getting your vents inspected regularly and to make sure you're watching for common warning signs of toxic black mold.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
Air duct cleaning services are very thorough. This is great news for most homeowners because it means that it'll get rid of one important microbe — mold. Mold spores are not visible to the human eye, so you never know how much mold may actually be in the air.
On humid days, keep your air conditioner running when you leave the house. Though you might be tempted to save on electricity, this is a smart way to keep mold out. By preserving balanced humidity inside, mold won't have a leg to stand on. Besides humidity, mold also likes air to be stationary.
Your air conditioner can control the temperature and humidity in your home, which can prevent mold growth. During the hot, humid summer months, set your air conditioner to between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The relative humidity in your house should not exceed 50 percent.
Mold can grow in your air ducts, but it's fairly uncommon. However, it's smart to test for mold in your vents if you suspect it may be there, as it can cause health problems for anyone with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues.
HOW COMMON IS IT FOR AIR VENTS OR HVAC SYSTEMS TO HAVE BLACK MOLD? Having mold in your HVAC system is much more common than you might think. In fact, when we check an HVAC system during a mold or indoor air quality inspection, we find mold more often than not.
When searching for black mold, look for circular-shaped spots that are black, dark green or dark brown. Some black mold can also take on shades of orange or have flecks of white within it. Most of the time, black mold has a slightly furry appearance.
Mold can grow extremely quickly once you start to have moisture building up in the air ducts of your HVAC system. Within just 48 hours of that moisture being present, mold can begin to form and once it does, when the air passes through, so will the bacteria and such from the mold throughout the rest of the home.
mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem.
Mold stays “dormant” in the air or on surfaces even when there's no excess moisture to help it grow. If the humidity in a room increases, mold will start growing in patches on walls, clothes, and more. So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do prevent it by reducing humidity.
Keep the thermostat at 78 degrees or above. A higher thermostat setting and slightly warmer air temperature results in drier indoor air. In the cooling mode, temperatures lower than 78 degrees generate more humid air and cool indoor surfaces, increasing condensation that breeds mold.
High humidity levels: the perfect conditions for mold
Leaving your AC fan set to ON allows the moisture in your home to accumulate and reach mold-growing levels of humidity. To ensure that you and your family stay cool and healthy this summer, keep your AC thermostat fan setting to AUTO.
Mildew is a surface fungi identified as a patch of gray or white fungus lying on the surface of a moist area. Mildew is easily treated with a store-bought cleaner and a scrubbing brush. Mold, on the other hand, can have colors that range from black to green and is often the result of a much larger infestation.
These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss. Work-relatedness may only become apparent over long holidays if symptoms resolve and then recur on return to work.
Perfectly healthy individuals with no history of respiratory issues have been reported to suffer prolonged coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. This combined with a weakened immune system that long-term mould exposure can cause may lead to even worse conditions like bronchitis.
Stachybotrys chartarum often looks greenish-black and has a gelatinous, slimy, or slippery texture. If its moisture source runs out, toxic black mold can also appear dry and powdery, which makes identification even more difficult.
Black mold needs warm temperatures and moisture to grow and spread. It commonly appears in damp or water-damaged areas of your home, such as basements, showers and windows. For most people, black mold won't make you very sick or kill you.