Cleaning your air vents likely isn’t something you think to include on your spring cleaning to-do list, but if you have mold in your vents, getting them cleaned should be a top priority.
Mold in Vents: Why It’s a Problem
It’s easy to see why mold is a problem when it’s somewhere you can see. Stains on your walls or ugly patches of black around your windows can be unsightly. But mold is much more than an ugly stain. It can be damaging to your home, and it can cause allergic reactions and more serious health problems.
The Special Problem of Mold in Vents
Since you can’t see mold growth in your air ducts, it’s easy to overlook, and is thus much more difficult to catch and control than visible mold growth. But mold in vents shouldn’t be ignored. Because so much air passes through your vents, circulating throughout your home, mold in your vents can easily spread, creating a bigger mold problem.
Getting Rid of the Mold
If you think you have mold in your vents, there are a few steps you can take on your own, before professional help arrives.
- Turn off the AC. If you suspect there is mold in your vents, don’t use your air conditioner or heating until help arrives. This limits the airflow and possible spread of mold to the rest of your home.
- Call for professional mold testing. Since mold in vents isn’t the type of mold you can easily see, the best way to determine if there is mold growth is through mold testing. One of our professionals from Howell Healthy Homes can not only verify if there is mold in your vents but can also identify where the mold growth is and advise you on what your next steps in the mold cleanup process should be.
Being proactive and cautious when it comes to mold growth in your air vents is a good step towards protecting your home and looking forward to clean air quality in the very near future.