Three Ways to Detect Mold in Your HVAC System

As homeowners, we expect to schedule periodic service calls to repair things like broken fan belts in furnaces that fail to start, but there's one issue that few of us ever think about: mold. Normally a byproduct of increased humidity or any kind of standing water inside your home, mold cannot only spread quickly. Indeed, it can appear and grow significantly within 48 hours but it can also cause major health issues to members of your family without you even realizing that it's there.

One of the best ways to protect your home against mold is by scheduling a regular inspection of your house. Below are a few ways that you can detect mold inside your house; if you spot it, contact an HVAC company to schedule a mold removal service.

Look for Black Spots

Though you might not be able to get up inside of your ductwork and poke around, you should be able to notice any kind of black spots that are appearing around your air vents or in the drain pan near your AC unit. Air conditioning systems put off a ton of condensation, and if the drip pan is clogged, that standing water will convert into black mold in your home. If you want to do a more thorough investigation, remove the grates on your AC system and look at the condenser coils in the fan blades. If you see it, you'll need to hire a professional mold removal service since it usually requires specialized tools.

Check for Musty Smells

Normally, one of the first indicators of mold inside your house is a damp musty smell that simply won't go away. If it's stronger in certain parts of your house, then head over to that area and turn the unit off. Wait about 30 minutes to let the airflow dissipate, and see if the smell goes away. If it does, then that means you've got mold in your ductwork. Call an HVAC company and give them the location of where you think the mold is for them to inspect.

Watch Your Family's Health

If you have anybody inside your house that suffers from respiratory issues such as allergies and asthma, you'll probably notice symptoms of mold in them long before you smell it or even see it in your home. Unexplained health problems can crop up at any time, so look for a variety of symptoms with the affected persons to see if there might be mold present. If you suspect mold inside your house, schedule a mold removal service to have it cleaned, not only to protect your home but to protect your family as well.

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