If your home smells musty or you’ve been feeling mildly ill for some time, it may be time to have a mold inspector check for mold in your air ducts and have it remediated as soon as possible.  Mold is a microscopic fungus that has the ability to grow and spread just about anywhere inside or outside of your home, especially in areas of the home with higher humidity levels and moisture such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. 

Although most strains of mold aren’t harmful in small amounts, it can produce chemicals known as mycotoxins which can pose a serious threat to your health, especially if your immune system is compromised.  Common toxic mold exposure symptoms include:

• coughing
• dizziness
• headaches
• skin rashes
• sneezing
• throat irritation

Because ventilation systems provide an ideal environment for mold growth (they’re dark, full of dust, and humid), it’s not unusual for a mold inspector to find mold growing in the air ducts of most South Florida homes.  Furthermore, if you have central air and heat, mold spores can spread quickly throughout your home and be difficult to get rid of.  It is important to get frequent checks done so that your health is not compromised.

While it can be tempting to try and clean any existing mold out of your air ducts yourself, this is a job for a professional mold inspector and remediation service.  Preventing mold growth in your air ducts requires more than just changing your air filters on a regular basis.  If you want to keep the air in your home fresh and mold-free, hire a professional to do the job.  They have the experience, techniques, and tools to clean your air ducts effectively and efficiently.

So, how frequently should you have those air ducts thoroughly cleaned? There’s no hard and fast rule where this is concerned.  Some experts will recommend doing this annually or semi-annually while others will tell you that having them cleaned too often could be detrimental to your indoor air quality.  The best approach to cleaning those air ducts is a combination of good judgment and good old common sense.

Watch for dirt and dust build-up on your air vent grilles.  Furthermore, pay attention to how long it’s been since you last performed a thorough cleaning and dusting of your home.  If it’s been more than 6 months since the last time you did a thorough cleaning or you’ve been noticing problems with airflow, talk to a professional about looking for mold and cleaning your air ducts.

For more information, call Florida Inspections Unlimited at 954-861-0666 today. Our experts are here for your assistance. Schedule an appointment today and let our experts evaluate the current situation.