Symptoms of Mold in Your Air Vents

It’s important to have your HVAC system inspected and maintained on a regular basis to make sure it operates as efficiently as possible. But even if you do a good job of staying on top of this routine preventative maintenance, there are still problems that can develop, including mold in your air ducts and vents in Portland, OR.

This is an especially common problem in areas with a lot of humidity. The air ducts are a perfect out-of-the-way location for mold to grow and thrive, and in forced-air systems, the spores from that mold growth could then be sent throughout your home.

Do you suspect you might be dealing with some HVAC mold growth in your Portland, OR home? Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common symptoms of this problem:

• Musty smells: Mold that occurs in large quantities will produce a very distinctive musty smell that will likely be your first indication that there is a problem. This unpleasant smell at least makes the problem easier to detect, but it could indicate a fairly significant issue. The smell will usually be the most noticeable when the system is running, because it will pick up the spores and carry them throughout the ductwork and through the vents. The smell is harder to notice if the spores are just sitting still in the ducts.
• Visible mold: In some cases, you might actually be able to see the mold on the vents or in the ducts. Spores could settle on the vents and show up in the form of black or green spots. You should also occasionally remove the vent covers and check inside the ducts to see if there is any mold growing in the immediately visible area, especially if you have smelled a musty mold smell emanating from the vent before. If you notice mold on your vents, clean them off with a little bleach or detergent, and get a professional out to inspect for further mold growth.
• Mold in the furnace or AC unit: If you have mold growing within the actual furnace or air conditioning equipment, then there’s a pretty good chance it’s spread into your ductwork if it’s had a fair amount of time to do so. You’re most likely to notice this mold growth on the evaporator coils or within the drain pan beneath those coils. This is because these parts often have condensation coating them, which can provide just enough moisture for mold to take hold and grow.
• Illnesses: Long-term exposure to mold can result in illnesses or worsened allergies or asthma. Breathing in mold spores can cause symptoms in just about anyone, but people who already suffer from chronic respiratory conditions are at even greater risk. Common symptoms of mold exposure include itching or watery eyes, difficulty breathing and frequent sneezing and coughing. If you experience these symptoms along with any of the aforementioned problems, you should have your HVAC system checked out by a mold remediation professional.

For more information about what to do when you have mold in your air vents in Portland, OR, we encourage you to contact the team at Active Mold Control LLC.

Categorised in: Mold Removal

This post was written by Writer