No apartment dweller wants to find mold growing in their air ducts. Mold isn’t just unpleasant to look at; it can also cause serious sickness if not promptly addressed. Below, learn about the signs of mold in apartment air ducts, then call us to schedule air duct cleaning in San Jose, CA.
Types of Mold Found in Air Ducts
Did you know that not all molds are alike? There are a few different kinds you might find growing in air ducts, including:
- Alternaria: This mold loves to grow around leaky pipes and has a brown or greenish color. It grows rapidly and can spread to air ducts in short order.
- Acremonium: Acremonium is a powdery mold that can appear in several colors, including white, pink, orange, and gray. It commonly shows up in humidifiers and drain pans.
- Chaetomium: Chaetomium likes to grow in areas with water damage, such as leaking pipes and roofs.
- Stachybotrys: Also known as black mold, this is the most dangerous type of mold in apartment air ducts. It can cause air quality issues and symptoms like nosebleeds, headaches, and rashes. Black mold also triggers an allergic reaction in some people.
Signs of Mold in Air Ducts
What are the signs that you might have mold lurking in your apartment’s air ducts? Discover the top indicators of mold in air ducts below.
You Feel Sickly Inside the Apartment
Don’t ignore the health risks of mold in HVAC systems. If you feel sick while inside the apartment but much better after getting some fresh air, that’s a big sign you might have mold in the air ducts.
Not all types of mold cause symptoms. Black mold, in particular, is notorious for causing allergy-like symptoms such as:
- Nasal congestion or a runny nose
- Watery, itchy eyes
- Sneezing and coughing
- Rashes
- Headaches or dizziness
- Chronic fatigue (feeling worn down and tired all the time)
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, ask your doctor to perform a blood test for mold toxicity. Should the results come back positive, call us for HVAC duct cleaning.
Mildew or Musty Odor Odor Wafting Through Your Vents
A foul stench is one of the biggest signs of mold hiding in your air ducts. If you smell something musty, start sniffing and try to track down the source of the odor. If the stench seems strongest near your air vents, you probably have mold growing somewhere inside them.
In many cases, the odor will intensify when you run the air conditioner. Try running your AC for a few minutes to see whether the smell intensifies. If it does, it’s time to call us for duct cleaning.
Visible Mold in and Around the Air Ducts
Air vents sit near the ceiling, so most people don’t pay much attention to theirs. If you haven’t cleaned or checked your ducts in a while, you might be surprised by what you find inside.
Get a stepladder and inspect the area around each vent. Depending on the type of mold, you might see black spots, slick green patches, or a white powdery substance.
Air Duct Mold Removal Tips
If you spot mold in apartment air ducts, is there anything you can do to fix the problem yourself? Yes and no. You can remove surface mold, but unless you hire a pro to address the source of the problem, the mold will likely return.
Follow these tips for cleaning mold from air vents:
- Turn off the HVAC system to prevent spores from drifting through your vents during cleaning.
- Wear protective gear while working, including a mask and gloves.
- Scrub the vents with a solution of one part bleach to three parts water.
Once you’re done, call us for air duct cleaning. Mold may be growing deeper inside your air ducts than you can reach. Our pros will find mold wherever it lurks and ensure it doesn’t come back to haunt you.
Breathe Easier With Our Air Duct Cleaning Service
The above signs of mold in apartment air ducts illustrate the importance of air duct cleaning. If you’re looking for the best residential and commercial duct cleaning service in town, call FreshX Air Duct Cleaning at (831) 801-1233. We’re San Jose’s top choice for duct cleaning and mold prevention in air systems.