It’s not pretty to think about—actually, it’s literally not pretty—but mold is a big problem where we’re from. High humidity and long summers create the perfect environment for mold and mildew buildup. And if your home has excess moisture in it, mold can even grow there.
Where’s the best place in your home for mold to thrive? It’s your ductwork, where it is cool and damp for the majority of the year as you use your air conditioner. There’s one way to prevent this, and that’s the installation of a UV air purifier. Also called germicidal lights or UV lights, a UV air purifier is harmless to people and pets, but kills microorganisms lurking in ductwork.
But what if the mold is already there? Is there anything you can do besides rip out all your ductwork and start from scratch? (Please don’t do this! There’s another way!)
Yes, Call a Mold Remediator
First, you should know that there is a difference between mold removal and mold remediation. Complete mold removal is, technically speaking, impossible. This is because dormant microscopic mold spores are inherent in nature, and when you live somewhere as humid as we do, your home is more prone to its growth.
Typically, dormant spores do not pose any issue, and is not something you should worry too much about. However, if there is actively growing mold in your home and ductwork, then a simple one-step removal likely won’t be enough.
Mold remediation tackles the source of the mold. Mold remediators will inspect your home to see where any sources of water moisture come from. This way, they can accurately assess the true source of the problem and eliminate that problem before mold has the chance to develop.
“How Else Can I Prevent Mold Growth in and Around My Home?”
Whether we’re discussing your ductwork or your home in general, there are some steps you can take to prevent the growth of mold, even when dealing with the excessive moisture of West Palm Beach. Follow these steps:
- Check the gutters and downspouts outside of your home that carry water away from your property. Ensure they aren’t clogged and that they can effectively carry the water away from your property so it’s not sitting stagnant anywhere.
- Fix anything around your home that can invite moisture in—broken roof shingles, deteriorating sundeck flashing, loose door frames, etc.
- Run your AC even when you aren’t home! An air conditioner is not designed to completely eliminate humidity for your home—that’s what a whole-house dehumidifier is for. However, your air conditioner does dry out the air a little bit just by lowering the temperature, and this can help mitigate mold growth.
- Check for leaks—this is especially important if you’re going on vacation any time soon. A leak creates unnecessary moisture that encourages the development of mold, but can be easily prevented.
Why call Envirotech Air Quality Services for your air conditioning in West Palm Beach, FL? We are one of the very few HVAC companies in south Florida who are also licensed mold assessors, mold remediators, and duct cleaners. Get in touch today!
