Why Mold and Mildew Could be a Problem for your Air Ducts

If you live in a humid climate, you may have already experienced a problem with mold or mildew within your HVAC system. Ducts and vents make an excellent breeding ground for a number of bacterial conditions, mold or mildew. This can seriously compromise your indoor air quality since mold spores can spread quickly.

In order to prevent the contamination of your ducts, it is important to ensure you have regular air duct cleaning. This can remove any accumulated debris and eliminate mold spores. It is also imperative to ensure that you conduct any air duct seal repair before any moisture can be introduced into the system.

Moisture is the key component which can allow bacteria and mold to develop. It is therefore very important to prevent moisture from building up in the system by repairing any leaks and performing HVAC maintenance regularly to check for excessive moisture occurring within the ducts.

Replace air filter or filters throughout your system

If your system is constantly in use, this also does not allow the ducts the opportunity to dry, which can allow bacteria to begin to perform in the ducts. When the moisture level of your system is very high dirt accumulates, this can provide the optimum breeding ground for bacteria, fungi and mold.

For effective prevention of moisture, you should try to keep your ducts free of contaminants. Ensure you regularly replace air filter or filters throughout your system and always use the manufacturer recommended models to allow a good fit. These types of filters have been optimized to remove smaller particles of debris from the ducts which can reduce the levels of bacteria.

You should also check any duct joints in non-heated areas of the home, such as attics for any leaks which can introduce moisture, dust or spores into the system. If you do notice any indications of mold or mildew on any vents, you should address the issue immediately to minimize contamination.