The Florida-based heating, cooling, and air conditioning company is pleased to issue a short, handy guide to preventing mold from growing in a household's duct system after a professional cleaning.
ORLANDO, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 29, 2021 / After noticing significant mold buildup in their ductwork, most homeowners do the smart thing and immediately call a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional to come and clean the household's whole system. After all, chances are that if mold is present in one segment of ductwork, it's spread through the entire system. But what about afterward? What's to stop the mold from returning? Are there any preventative measures a homeowner can take to keep mold from growing back after it's been cleared out? By means of answering these questions, the following is a short, handy guide to stopping mold growth in a household's ductwork after HVAC servicing.
Replace HVAC Filters Regularly
A panacea for all things having to do with indoor air quality and HVAC maintenance, replacing the filters attached to a household's furnace is perhaps the simplest step a homeowner can take to prevent mold from growing inside their ductwork. New and clear filters trap, among other harmful particulates, mold spores, ultimately preventing them from spreading into the ductwork and reproducing. Industry experts recommend changing a household's HVAC filter every 2-3 months for optimal performance.
Check For Plumbing Leaks
Over time, slow water leaks from a household's plumbing system create an ideal breeding ground for mold in air ducts, and also water damage in any given space. By routinely checking for cracks and leaks in plumbing and patching them up before too much time has passed, one of the main causes of duct system mold growth can be effectively prevented.
Use a Dehumidifier
Mold thrives in damp, humid environments. Employing the use of a dehumidifier at strategic points throughout the household will slow mold growth not only in ducts, but in kitchens, bathrooms, attics, and all the other traditionally mold-prone parts of a home.
Keep Supply and Return Vents Clean and Clear
Although mold prevention is not the only reason to make sure that all supply and return vents in a household are unobstructed and consistently cleaned, it is a major one. When condensation appears on any vents or registers, it creates a fertile breeding ground for mold spores, as well as providing an ideal gateway for them to migrate into a household's duct system.
Schedule Periodic Duct Cleaning
Although duct cleaning is not typically included in routine duct maintenance, in order to be absolutely sure that mold does not re-emerge, homeowners-especially those who live in abnormally humid climates or have persistent mold problems-would be wise to schedule periodic professional cleanings of their duct systems. It is by far the most effective of any preventative measure.