Simple HVAC Tips to Prevent Mold In Your Farmington Hills Home
Mold is never desirable in any home, and of all the areas where it may be present, the HVAC system is one where you have some of the most control. Mold growths in or around your HVAC system can be prevented with suitable basic approaches, and similar themes can stop it from ever entering any part of your home, to begin with.
At FLAME Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, we’re proud to offer a vast range of services to help keep mold out of your Farmington Hills home, including air duct cleaning and others meant explicitly for air quality. How does mold form in the HVAC system or elsewhere, and how can you help prevent it with a few simple approaches? Here’s a primer.
Mold Basics and Causes
Mold is a fungus, a plant-like organism that gets its energy from the environment around it. Mold grows in damp, moist areas with many nutrients to feed on and little airflow to dissipate heat and contain oxygen. In other words, perfect conditions for mold growth are the same as those in your HVAC system or other places in your home.
Mold needs a lot of space to grow, which is why it’s not as common as you might think under carpeting or behind panels and other surfaces that block airflow. If the mold gets inside an HVAC system, the conditions are optimal for growth from all those corners and crevices that let it grow. In addition, if condensation is allowed buildup due to poor ventilation, that can also create moisture and nutrients for mold.
Possible Signs of Mold in the Home
Here are some signs mold might be present:
- Odor: Odors often associated with mold growth are musty, earthy, and wet cardboard smells.
- Discoloration: Mold can bleed through paint and wallpaper in damp areas. If a section of wall or flooring material develops a discoloration that can’t be scrubbed off or painted over, chances are that’s an area where moisture has allowed mold to grow.
- Health Symptoms: Many people are sensitive or even allergic to mold and may develop an upper respiratory infection if inhaled. Allergy tests may reveal allergies to certain fungi, which can indicate exposure in the home.
Preventing Mold Growth in Your HVAC System
Luckily, keeping mold out of both your HVAC system and your entire home only requires some effortless actions:
- Replace filters regularly: Dirty filters not only restrict airflow but also may not block mold and other particles from entering your HVAC system, resulting in a breeding ground.
- Insulate and clean air ducts: Air duct insulation can become damaged, and accumulations of dust and debris in the air ducts create an excellent place for mold to grow. Have your HVAC system cleaned regularly by a professional, and your air ducts, if possible.
- Leaks: Remedy any pipe or duct leaks immediately to prevent any buildup that may lead to mold.
For more on how to keep mold away from your HVAC system and your entire home or to learn about any of our HVAC or plumbing services in Farmington Hills, speak to the team at FLAME Heating today.
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