Mold In Your Commercial Building Air Ducts? Heres What To Know

5/7/2022 (Permalink)

Mold In the HVAC System

Noticing the Mold 

Usually when it comes to mold in your HVAC system, you'll be able to notice the smell before anything else. If there is an odor that only occurs while using your air conditioning or heating, that could narrow it down to mold in your HVAC system.

People may also experience symptoms every time the AC is running, again leading to mold growth in the air ducts. If there is a good amount of mold around the vents, it can spread in the air causing plenty of symptoms such as itchy eyes, irritated nose and throat, and most commonly headaches. 

How'd It Start?

Mold grows in the vents when these two things are existing in the particular area, warm temperature and moisture. A humid environment is the perfect condition for mold to start forming. Ultimately having weak ventilation and a humid environment can trap moisture in your walls and cause condensation that can lead to the rapid spread of the mold spores.

Having a huge ac unit that doesn't match the space you have, for example larger ac units can cool smaller spaces super quickly and turn off before dehumidifying the air leading to extra unwanted moisture. If you notice mold shortly after a new ac installation it would be wise to make sure you've gotten the proper sized equipment for the space you're in. 

Another cause for mold growth would be setting your ac to a very low temperature. This could sometimes lead to mold growth when the cool air from the ac hits the warm air from the room, the difference of the temperature can form moisture in the air to condense all around the vent. With that being said if that moisture builds up over time and never gets a chance to dry out, mold will start to form. This is something called temperature differential which takes about a difference in 20 degrees when the ac air and room air hit for moisture to form.

What To Do?

When dealing with mold especially in areas like the HVAC system calling a professional to come in and get the job done would be the best option. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but a professional will take care of the mold and will help stop it from coming back in the future, they will also do it more effectively and safely than doing it by yourself.

Along with that trying to scrub off any mold with ordinary cleaning supplies won't get rid of it. It will remove what seems like most of it but in reality there will still be mold spores, they're ready to grow back as soon as they can. Leaving you with the same problem again and again. Professionals have the proper equipment to keep your commercial building from being a victim of mold ever again.

If you ever notice or see mold arising in your commercial building please give SERVPRO of Northridge & SERVPRO of Granada Hills a call right away. We will have our highly trained technicians respond right away and turn your building back to pre mold conditions "Like it never even happened."

Have questions? Call SERVPRO of Northridge (818) 993-9339