It’s no secret that mold thrives in dark and damp places such as bathrooms and basements, but did you know it can also grow in your home’s ductwork? Mold contained within an air duct system is a serious issue. Think about it – every time your unit is turned on for air conditioning or heating, those mold spores are spread throughout your home and recirculated multiple times a day. Air ducts are typically out of sight, out of mind, so it’s very common for mold in ductwork to go undetected. Undetected mold in a home can be incredibly harmful to those living in it, so it’s important to be aware of the signs.
What Are Mold Allergy Symptoms?
Mold allergy symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of other allergies. Mold triggered allergy symptoms include: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy throat or ears, hives, swollen or itchy eyes, coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
If you suffer from asthma or other respiratory problems, the presence of mold in your home can be increasingly bothersome. Exposure to indoor mold has been known to aggravate asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals, such as children and the elderly. Length of exposure may also dictate the seriousness and duration of mold allergy symptoms.
Signs of Mold in your Air Ducts
Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there! There are a few telltale signs that there is mold lurking in your home’s air duct system:
- A strong, musty mildew smell throughout your home
- Evidence of mold growing within the intake vents and around the air ducts
- People have frequent physical symptoms such as a headache or wheezing when in the home
If your home or family are showing symptoms that point to the presence of mold, it’s important that you act quickly! Addressing issues immediately will prevent the spread of spores and lessen the severity of symptoms that individuals living in the home may be dealing with.
How to Keep Mold Away
Prevention is key for avoiding indoor mold growth. In order to keep your home mold-free, you need to:
- Identify the problem zones and correct them.
- Dry wet areas and fix any leaks.
- Limit moisture with proper ventilation and monitor indoor humidity.
- Have your home’s air ducts looked at by a professional.
Scheduling periodic air duct inspection and cleaning can help ensure that no mold is hidden in your home’s ductwork. Hire a NADCA-certified air duct cleaner to keep mold allergy symptoms at bay and keep your family happy and healthy!
(Reprinted with permission from NADCA.com)
