HVAC Systems and Mold Removal Removing Mold in Air Ducts and HVAC Systems Mold and bacteria outbreaks in HVAC and air duct systems pose greater challenges to the workplace than isolated growth in walls or ceilings. The operating HVAC system will continually distribute mold spores throughout the facility, expanding the affected area far faster and broader than a normal outbreak would spread. And without knowledgeable inspection, discovering the extent and source for mold within an HVAC system can be very difficult. Insurance Restoration Specialists Air Systems division technicians are highly-trained, experienced professionals who are equipped to identify, contain and eliminated mold in air ducts, HVAC systems and all related components. We serve commercial, industrial and municipal clients throughout New Jersey, New York City and the Philadelphia area. Once mold or mildew has been detected in air ducts or the HVAC system during an inspection, our technicians follow strict guidelines to remove mold growth and remediate the affected parts of the HVAC system.

Mold on HVAC components like this blower is distributed throughout the system by air movement Water source identification/evaluation and remediation Inspect potential moisture sources in (condensate containers, drains) and around the HVAC system components, including vents, supplies, and returns. best smoke odor air purifierMake repairs as needed to eliminate water source.best air purifier ozone free Before removing mold growth, IRS specialists will thoroughly dry the area and surrounding materials, and monitor humidity levels in the area. do bamboo plants purify the airThis will ensure that the environment is no longer conducive to mold and bacteria regrowth after it is removed. Disinfection and removal of mold

Our technicians use state-of-the-art technology and processes to remove mold and then thoroughly clean, disinfect and deodorize all affected equipment. We also provide extensive mold removal and remediation services to contain and eliminate infestations beyond ductwork and HVAC system components.Mold lives in your ductwork – and uses it as a highway. The presence of moisture and dirt in ductwork can result in the development of mold, which can then spread as mold spores and impact the air quality throughout the home.  This can cause serious health effects like itchy eyes, coughing, asthma and many more. Ductwork can act as a highway for mold spores to travel throughout your home! Consider fogging ductwork if multiple areas of your home have a musty, earthy odour.  Then go on a search for the source of the mold issue! Have you used Concrobium in this area? We’d love to get your thoughts on how well it worked! Some people believe that AC ducts are destined to become moldy.

While all AC ducts will likely grow some mold and will become discolored with visible mold or visible dust to some degree, it is not normal or healthy for ducts to become excessively moldy, or to produce a strong mold odor. Mold spores from AC ducts result in health problems and even mold odors in the absence of spores have been shown to cause health problems. Keeping ducts free of excessive mold is important. The information in this blog is intended to provide readers with information on: 1) Some reasons why AC ducts become moldy. 2) The importance of proper sizing of AC units. 3) In addition it draws attention to a very common indoor air quality problem called entrainment. Entrainment is when AC units pull contaminated air from inside attics or walls or other undesirable areas. The following information is taken from a Broward County mold inspection we conducted on 11-17-07 it shows an actual example of how ducts became moldy and gives recommendations at the end.

The property inspected is a one story single family Broward county house built in 1974. Client reported mold growing on AC vent registers. The mold started a few weeks ago. The client reported that a new larger AC unit was installed about 3 months prior to the mold starting. This inspection is for mold conditions at the AC registers only. In the above referenced area the inspector observed a new air conditioner. The serial number on the unit indicates that it is a 4 ton unit, thus is it rated to cool a 2400 sf house. This AC unit is just a little large for this house. The inspector also observed a new condenser / compressor unit. The serial number indicates that it is a 3.5 ton unit thus designed to cool a 2100 sf house. This is also slightly large for the house. You have a newer larger AC unit. The size of this newer AC unit is a major reason for why you have humidity related cladosporium on your AC registers that were previously not moldy. The previous AC unit in use about 3 months ago was smaller than this AC system thus would have been more efficient at drying the houses air before cooling the houses air and shutting down.

If an AC is to large it shuts off after the air is cooled but before the air is properly dried / dehumidified. Air that is not dehumidified and has a humidity above 60%RH to 65%RH can and often does cause humidity problems in Florida homes. The above photo is of cladosporium mold growing in your registers. Another reason why you have mold problems now is because of the two holes in your AC return. These holes in the wall studs allow the AC to pull humidity into the AC each time the AC turns on, this phenomenon is called entrainment and is a common cause of mold and humidity problems. Yes all metal studs have these holes, but it is not typical for these open holes in the studs to be exposed and in such close proximity to an AC return. Where does the humidity in your walls come from? it comes room the attic, the attic in turn gets the humidity from outside via the soffit vents like the one in the above photo. Why did this problem not occur till recently? the older smaller AC was more efficient at drying air as stated above and thus was able to handle the humidity load created by these openings.

More photos of mold on and around your AC registers. Note that the tiny black spots on and around AC registers are very typical examples of cladosporium spheasperium, or cladosporium cladosporidies mold. This mold problem is caused by elevated humidity in your ducts. This is not likely to cause a toxic reaction, but this mold may result in allergic reactions or act as an asthma trigger in sensitive persons. The real concern is if it is growing excessively deep in your ducts then you will have much more mold than you can see on the registers. Mold growth in the ducts can and often causes health complaints. Excessive mold was not observed in your AC unit but you are recommended to have your ducts cleaned in accordance with NADCA standards or replaced.Note that the tiny black spots on and around AC registers are very typical examples of cladosporium spheasperium, or cladosporium cladosporidies mold. Based on this inspectors observations and conclusions your inspector recommends using good quality foil mastic tape or other methods to seal two openings in your AC return wall studs.