{"id":678,"date":"2021-02-11T20:49:05","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T01:49:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.njairquality.com\/?p=678"},"modified":"2021-02-11T22:00:44","modified_gmt":"2021-02-12T03:00:44","slug":"signs-of-mold-in-air-vents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/njairquality.com\/signs-of-mold-in-air-vents\/","title":{"rendered":"Signs Of Mold In Air Vents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mold is something that makes us all cringe when it appears in our home or commercial space. But what if it\u2019s in the air of your living space and it just can\u2019t be seen. Sometimes people may smell mustiness which can signal a mold problem but they still won\u2019t be certain where it’s stemming from. Since every case is different one cannot say for sure where exactly the mold is coming from unless it\u2019s been checked out by a mold inspection and testing specialist. With that said it\u2019s not uncommon that the mold spores are being blown into the living space from the ducts and vents of your HVAC system.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ductwork can be the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew which is why you should have your air ducts cleaned at least once every four years<\/a>. It will give you the peace of mind knowing that there are no unwanted particles living there like dust, dirt, mold, and debris. At the same time your heating and cooling system will perform much better, allowing the proper disbursement of conditioned air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below we will discuss some of the signs of mold in home air vents or ducts. It\u2019s important to keep a close eye on the registrars located on the ceiling and walls. These will give you some insight into what might be going on in your air ducts. Sometimes it may be surface mold in the form of tiny black spots that can be treated with a non toxic fungicide spray while other times the discoloration on the vent may signal something more severe like actual mold growing in your air ducts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Does Mold Grow In Air Ducts & On Vents?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, with the constant flow of cool air there can be a build up of condensation within the air ducts or on and around the registers. Sometimes it might be a small area of a steel air duct while other times it can be a whole entire flexible air duct connector that will need to be replaced. Depending on how badly contaminated it is will determine the work necessary to get rid of the mold issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, moisture is the breeding grounds for mold in any area of your home. This is why homeowners will have dehumidifiers running in a basement of crawl space to prevent the build-up of moisture that creates the perfect environment for mold to grow. If you do spot a moist area, make sure to take care of the issue right away to prevent mold from growing there. The hard part about mold in your air ducts is that you don\u2019t see it and with everyone recovering from COVID-19 chances are they won\u2019t smell it either. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to keep a close eye on the air vent grills and registers that tell the story of what\u2019s really going on inside your air ducts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment For Mold On Vents & Registers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not always does mold on the outside of the vents mean that there is mold within the air ducts. Often the contamination is limited to the surface area of the vent which can be treated with a non toxic fungicide spray. Homeowners might think to make their own mold killing solution out of bleach or ammonia but most health experts do not recommend this due to the toxic aerosols that can be breathed in. Ridding the vents of mold can be accomplished by purchasing a non toxic fungicide spray<\/a> approved by the Environmental Protection Agency or better known as the EPA. If your vent is so constricted that the spray is not doing a good enough job, you may just want to replace it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes when the vent is removed you will have a pretty clean air duct. So what’s happening is that the moisture is getting trapped in between the supply vent and the ceiling that\u2019s allowing the mold to breed. The good news is that the mold issue is not from your duct work but simply limited to the area around the vent. For this you will want to remove the vent, clean it well, and reposition it so that it fits snug into the duct. Other times the vent will be pointing directly onto the ceiling that allows for condensation to accumulate on a specific area on a constant basis that will breed mold. First make sure the mold is removed from the ceiling and then redirect the direction to which the slats are pointing. You want them pointing towards the living space, not the ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Common Areas In The Home Where Mold Accumulates <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mold can grow under the fridge by the motor area, beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks, and on the bathroom ceiling and walls. This is especially true when there is no window in the bathroom and the only ventilation is a vent fan. It\u2019s important to make sure that the bathroom vent fans are working and exhaust the unwanted moisture from a steaming shower. Proper function of the fan should be a clear vent line and exhaust to outside of the home. Often contractors will just lead the vent to exhaust into the attic and can cause an unwanted moisture build up there which can lead to a bigger mold issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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