How to Get Rid of Mould in Air Conditioning Ducts

Mould can live on many kinds of surfaces in a home. It can be seen on walls and ceilings, but it can also make its way into the AC duct system. Even if homeowners don’t see it, its presence can be felt. Mould signs include a musty smell and mould exposure symptoms that are similar to allergic reactions (irritated nose, coughing, wheezing, etc.). Here’s a quick action guide on AC mould removal for homeowners.

AC mould removal tips

Stopping the HVAC unit

If you know or suspect that mould is growing in your AC ducts, don’t run the HVAC system. Doing so prevents mould from spreading even more throughout your home.

Get a mould test

Mould is often confused with dirt or dust and you could waste your time and money in the removal process. To confirm that the substance in your HVAC vents is mould, contact a certified mould inspector. They offer laboratory analysis of samples taken from your air ducts. Also, check out when you should have your air ducts cleaned.

Examine the air duct type

Find out what your ductwork is made of — fiberglass, flex duct or metal sheet. Depending on the duct material type, different cleaning methods and charges apply. Removing mould from bare sheet metal is much easier. However, if your ducts are made of fiberglass or insulated internally with fiberglass duct liner, they can’t be effectively cleaned and should be replaced.

Hire a mould removal company

Removing mould from your sheet metal ducts is challenging, time-consuming, and dangerous. The cleaning must be done safely and correctly using specialized tools and cleaners to prevent mould from growing back. A professional mould removal company can also address the causes which allowed mould to grow in the first place.

Know who you hire

Professional air duct cleaning involves using industry-approved products and processes for effective mould removal. In addition, steam cleaning and other methods involving moisture should not be used on any kind of duct work. So, make sure the company you hire adheres to industry standards and uses the recommended tools and products.

Prevent mould in AC vents

Once the mould is removed following proper procedures, find out what caused it to grow and take steps to eliminate the causes. Follow these HVAC mould prevention guidelines:

• Control the humidity levels in your home. Use a dehumidifier if your home is prone to high humidity.
• Fix water leaks and remove standing water. Make sure that AC drain pans slope toward the drain. This helps remove standing water under cooling coils of AC units.
• Ensure your HVAC components and drain pans are easily accessible for proper cleaning and maintenance.
• Check out more HVAC mould prevention tips and HVAC water damage prevention tips.

For water damage restoration, contact the PuroClean property remediation experts!

Call PuroClean to perform professional AC mould removal services. When you hire PuroClean for air duct cleaning, rest assured your air duct system is in safe hands. We will inspect and consult on the status of your system, vacuum the system with Rotobrush technology, and then clean, sanitize, deodorize or encapsulate duct systems where needed.