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Why Air Duct Cleaning is a Must If You See Visible Mold Growth

Person in white hazmat suit and blue rubber gloves disinfecting hard, wood countertop after discovering mold in home

If you have a runny nose, sneeze frequently, or cough when in your home, it may not be allergies. And if you detect a musty, unpleasant odor in your basement or other rooms, it could be something worse than a cold or allergies. It could be undetected mold growth.

What is Mold?

Mold is the name given to different kinds of fungi known to reproduce by creating minute spores, imperceptible to the eye alone. These minuscule spores' traverse the air randomly until they discover a cozy, moist home where they can begin growing. And now they become visible.

Air duct cleaning is the best way to defend against potential health effects of mold. Some people find mold without realizing it, often developing a sore throat, stuffy nose, wheezing or coughing, skin rash, or burning eyes. People with allergies or asthma can have severe reactions, including lung infections in immune-compromised patients and those suffering from chronic lung disease.

Mold will grow wherever they find moisture – air ducts, leaks in roofs, windows, pipes, or in places damaged by flooding. It can grow on cardboard, paper, ceiling tiles, metal, and wood. Mold can also be found in paints, dust, wallpaper, drywall, insulation, fabric, carpet, and upholstery.

Avoiding Mistakes and Understanding Why Air Duct Cleaning is a Must if You See Visible Mold Growth

If a Boulder/Westminster homeowner suspects a mold problem, the best way to confirm it is to hire a professional to carry out thorough testing – air, surface, and bulk testing. Once its presence has been confirmed, you can decide on how to remove it and repair damage. But homeowners often make mistakes beforehand, including:

  • Ignoring potential health symptoms
  • Using chlorine bleach to eliminate mold
  • Trying another useless product to eliminate mold
  • Ignoring obvious clues
  • Deciding there’s not a problem because you can’t see the growing mold
  • Not testing your home for mold
  • Deciding your new home is mold-free before knowing otherwise

What Causes Mold in Duct Work?

  • It’s true that condensation buildup on non-porous, metal ducts may seem harmless, especially when it dries later. But an air duct cleaning professional will tell you that ignoring condensation is asking for trouble – it can ultimately alter the adjacent permeable building materials, resulting in water damage and potential mold growth. Heavy condensation dripping onto construction materials like drywall, wood, and insulation can lead to problems including water damage, faulty insulation, widespread mold growth, and the weakening of surrounding structures.
  • Insulation that doesn’t function as intended or degrades over time. It’s almost a chicken-or-the-egg dilemma: Faulty insulation can allow moisture to build, and accumulated moisture on insulation will reduce its effectiveness. Water can condense insulation, decreasing its R-value, or capacity to insulate. Eventually, this can result in even more trouble.
  • Water, even a few drops, can damage the structural integrity of ductwork over an extended period – especially if the drips aren’t detected and continue unabated. Many droplets of condensation over the course of several years can be a big problem, included unintended damage which may be expensive to repair.
  • Compromised structural integrity elsewhere in your home. Ceilings, walls, and flooring which are somehow damaged are a great starting place for mold, as even minuscule damage can allow moisture to seep between gaps in floor joists and ceiling insulation. This can result in damage to surrounding drywall and lead to mold growth.

    • Over the course of several years, a source of moisture that goes undiscovered in metal ducts can drip unabated and give birth to even more spores. Widespread mold contamination may occur, resulting in severe damage to your home and personal belongings, and potential health issues for loved ones who are unknowingly exposed to mold spores. In cases like these, it's essential to work with a certified air duct cleaning professional in Boulder, Westminster, or surrounding communities.

    Air Duct Cleaning Process in Boulder and Westminster

    Professional air duct cleaning in Boulder/Westminster normally consists of the following processes:

  • Compressed air as proven by field testing to be the most effective and efficient means to clean ducts. This method reduces the chance of damaging metal ducts because it prevents foreign objects from being introduced into HVAC systems.
  • Air duct cleaning technicians use a patented Teflon ball to clear out any remnants of grime and dirt that weren’t blown out.
  • Vehicle-mounted, high-powered vacuums are then deployed to suck up loose remnants from the ducts and carry it from the house to waste bins in the vehicle for future disposal.

    • The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning

  • Extend the lifespan of your home’s HVAC system. Your heating and cooling system builds up dust and toxins with use but having ductwork cleaned annually can prevent repeated build-up and future problems.
  • Improved indoor air quality. Keeping metal ducts clean results in clean, fresh air being circulated through your home.
  • Like anything else, your home’s heating and cooling system will work more efficiently with regular maintenance, saving money on energy costs and not needing costly repairs.
  • If one of our licensed technicians is already cleaning your metal ducts, we can inspect your HVAC system to determine if other problems exist and take action before something becomes catastrophic.
  • Regular air duct cleaning can keep insects and other critters away. Dirty or moist air ducts are a breeding ground not only for dust and mold, but also insects, pests, and rodents who’d move into your HVAC systems as if they owned the place.

    • Choose the Best Air Duct Cleaning Professionals in Boulder and Westminster

    Steve’s Carpet Care & Restoration has served residential and business customers in Boulder, Denver, Westminster, and other nearby communities for over 42 years. Our certified technicians provide air duct cleaning, carpet cleaning, and many other services. Drop us a note to request more information or call us today at 303-530-4900 to schedule an inspection.

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