One of the core causes of mold is high humidity levels. For this reason, your air conditioner is effective at reducing humidity levels and maintaining healthy levels of 30% to 50%. Unfortunately, your air conditioner can also be a source of mold if it is not properly maintained. The purpose of this article is to explain how your air conditioner could be a source of mold contamination and what you can do to address this problem.
The HVAC System Is Your Home’s Lungs
HVAC is an abbreviation for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. The purpose of the HVAC system is to provide healthy indoor air quality by removing moisture, odors, smoke, heat, dust, airborne bacteria, and carbon dioxide, and replace it with clean air.
Ventilation is the most important component of your HVAC system because it’s main purpose is to circulate the air within the home and ideally is constantly introducing outside air into the system. The duct work in the HVAC system enables it to circulate the air throughout the whole home. Proper maintenance of your HVAC system is essential to ensuring that your indoor air quality is optimal.
Failure to replace filters is the number one error that home owners make. Filters need to be replaced consistently because they prevent pollen, pesticides, and other pollutants from entering the home. Once pollutants, dust, and other debris get into the duct work, mold can begin to grow because it now has a food source. Mold will only begin to grow if there is moisture. Once mold spores enter the air conditioning system, alternating high and low humidity conditions will help grow, spread, and distribute the spores throughout the house.
The HVAC System Is Your Home’s Lungs
Illnesses Caused By Air Conditioning Mold
Health signs that you could have mold in your AC unit include the following:
Many of these symptoms are also associated with over-exposure to air conditioning which causes mucus membranes to dry out, causing colds, upper respiratory infections, dry skin, nose bleeds, and flu-like symptoms including fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and breathing difficulties.
Another potential problem caused by over-exposure to air conditioning is heat intolerance which causes discomfort when you go outside. Symptoms of heat intolerance include exhaustion, dizziness, headaches, and heat stroke. Prevent over-exposure by using a thermostat that regulates the indoor temperature, meaning the AC unit turns off when the ideal temperature is reached and turns on when the temperature goes above the ideal setting.
How Do I Verify That I Have Air Conditioning Mold?
If you are experiencing the health symptoms above and suspect that your AC unit or duct work is contaminated with mold, here are some clues to determine if you do have mold.
1. Check your vents and look for any visible mold or a musty smell in the room.
2. Take a short vacation and record your health symptoms. If you feel better when you are out of your home, then likely you have air quality concerns in your home which could be caused by mold.
3. Hire a professional mold inspector to do a complete survey of the home to find the source of contamination and determine if the home requires remediation. Also, be sure to check your crawlspace for suspect mold.
If no suspect mold is found or major moisture concerns that could be causing the mold, then a comparative air quality test can measure the relative spore count inside and outside. If the spore count is much higher inside than outside, then this could indicate that you have mold spores circulating throughout your home and you should get your AC unit and ducts checked for mold.
Removing Air Conditioning Mold
If you have mold in your AC unit, then it should be professionally cleaned. When you hire the service company, ensure that they take the following actions:
Clean the blower unit.
Use a certified and non-toxic chemical cleaner.
Use a chemical that has anti-fungi and anti-bacterial properties.
Ensure that the technician does not just clean the unit with a vacuum and brush because this simply agitates the bacteria and viruses breeding there.
We also recommend that the ducts are professionally cleaned in accordance with NADCA standards to ensure that your whole HVAC system is functioning efficiently and to prevent further spread of mold spores.
Professionals should be hired because it can be difficult to access all the parts of the air conditioning ductwork and they have the experience and training to do this properly. Further, professionals have air whips or air skippers that drive dust, dirt, mold, and other debris toward collection devices fitted with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters.
Preventing Air Conditioning Mold
Mold can be prevented in your air conditioner and HVAC system. Once you have the system professionally serviced and cleaned, these guidelines will help prevent future problems
1. Always maintain indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% by getting a humidistat installed and set at the ideal level.
2. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations and clean or replace your unit’s air filter because these are designed to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. Failure to properly clean and replace filters will allow pollutants to build up and get caught in the filter and disperse into your indoor air.
3. Service your HVAC system every year.
4. Turn off your system and open the windows during cooler periods to bring in more fresh air. Adequate ventilation is essential to reducing indoor contaminants.
5. Install an air cleaner on your central heating and air conditioner unit to ensure a constant stream of clean air.
Consistent use of your AC is important because it reduces humidity levels which is moisture that mold needs to thrive. However, like any household appliance, you need to properly service and maintain your AC unit to ensure that it is operating efficiently and does not become a source of indoor contamination. Preventative maintenance is the key.
These symptoms could be caused by the air you are breathing.
Our Indoor Air Quality Testing
We use OSHA, NIOSHA, and EPA testing procedures to investigate indoor air quality complaints or give you a profile of your air.
Hundreds of compounds can be tested for including gases, chemicals, dust, and biological samples.
We take special care in instruments calibration and sample handling to produce accurate and reliable results.
Our results are compared with controlled samples to ensure accurate data.
We offer services for both residential and business customers.
Mold Testing
Mold testing is done by taking air samples and comparing inside and outside spore numbers and can determine if a building has a high amount of mold present.
Mold and moisture testing will help assess problems by determining if high mold levels exist and if remediation work is necessary.
Mold inspections look for any areas affected by mold and moisture.
During our inspections, we take moisture reading of interior walls in the sample area to see if there is a suitable environment for mold to grow.
Our experts are trained scientists and have a background in the building construction industry.
We can relate mold data to a building and provide you with practical solutions if a problem is found.
We can identify and asses any mold problem you may have.
Environmental Consulting
Consulting services meet your special and specific environmental needs.
Risk management services are offered to help asses environmental conditions present and to help determine if action should be taken to minimize risks and exposure.
Got Indoor Air Quality Questions?
Call, (470) 545-4467, or send us an e-mail. We look forward to serving you! 🙂
Water is a vital necessity for life, but when it becomes uncontrolled, it can cause devastation. Whether your property has been damaged by a torrential downpour, a triggered sprinkler system or busted pipes, Mold B Gone can help.
Water can cause much more serious damage than just getting things a little soggy. In many cases the damage to the structure is not confined to just the water line. The drywall, wood, and even concrete used in many structures can act as a sponge which will then cause the water damage to extend much higher and deeper into the structure. Also mold growth can happen after a period of time and often will appear long after the water damage.
All molds share the characteristic of being able to grow without sunlight. Mold only needs a viable seed (spore), a nutrient source, moisture, and the right temperature to proliferate. This explains why mold infestation is often found in damp, dark, hidden spaces. If left unchecked, molds gradually damage building materials and furnishings. Eventually mold can cause structural damage to a wood framed building, weakening floors and walls as it feeds on moist wooden structural members. This is a particular concern if you have mold growing in your crawl space.
The purpose of mold remediation is to correct the moisture problem and to remove moldy and contaminated materials to prevent human exposure that can impact health and further damage to building materials and furnishings.
Atlanta Mold Testing, Mold Remediation and Mold Recovery Professionals!
Mold Recovery: Four Steps
If you think you have mold, you should take these important steps now to prevent more damage to your home or business and more importantly, avoid health problems.
Call us to discuss your mold issue. At that time we can perform a mold inspection and if required, test the indoor air quality to determine the spore count and mold species.
If swab, tape, or indoor air quality tests are done, these will be sent to an accredited third party lab for the results. This report is used to scope the job for cleaning and repairs. Our Mitigation Project Manager will then discuss the cleaning process with you.
Once the area is has been mitigated, a Third Party air quality consultant will do a second air test to be sure that the air in your home or business will not promote further mold growth. Please note, some customers prefer the Third Party air quality consultant to do both the pre and post testing which we can arrange for you.
If your home was damaged by an insurable water emergency, like a flood or sewer backup, and your property needs reconstruction, our Project Manager will refer you to a reconstruction contractor we work with to survey the damage and discuss in detail your options and steps for rebuilding. If the mold is found in your basement, we offer a basement build out service as well. If your home experienced a sewer backup, we also can sanitize your home for you as well. Once you select us to perform the reconstruction work, we will require your authorization to work with your insurance company. We will then submit the estimate to your insurance company and work with them to reach an agreement on the cost to complete the repairs. We work for you and our goal is to get your home or business back to its pre-loss condition as quickly as possible. When the work is completed you will be asked to sign a Certificate of Satisfaction stating that you are satisfied with the restoration. This will be submitted to the insurance carrier for release of the final payment.
Got Mold Concerns?
Call Mold B Gone, 678-697-6267 or send us an e-mail. We are Atlanta’s leading certified experts for mold testing and mold remediation. With over two decades of experience and thousands of successful homes, you can trust us to take care of any mold remediation problem that you may have with the utmost care for you and your home.
The goal of Mold B Gone is to educate our customers about mold. We strongly believe that an educated and informed consumer can make better decisions when they have concerns about mold.
Included in this article are 36 links to articles that will help you learn about mold.
Please bookmark this page because we will update it with new articles as they are researched and published.
Top 3 Reasons Your Crawlspace Has High Humidity. This article explains why your crawlspace is humid, why this leads to mold and how you can fix the problem!
This article provides you with information to help you determine if you have a mold problem and explains what you should and should not do if you do find mold.
Recently a news article featured a woman who believes that she was poisoned by toxic black stachybotrys mold. This article explores this topic further!
Wondering if you are sensitive to mold? This article explains how to determine if you are mold sensitized, seeking treatment, and the next two steps to health!
Potential Health Complications Mold Exposure Has On Pregnant Women and Infants! Questions answered about SIDS, asthma, miscarriage, and pulmonary hemorrhage.
This article explains why many suffering from CIRS are diagnosed with depression caused by mold. Both scientific and anectodal data are cited. Learn more!
Top 3 Reasons Mold Sickness Is A Hidden Epidemic! You could be sick from mold and not even know it. This article explains why mold is a hidden epidemic!
37 million Americans suffer from sinusitis. Cause? This article lists the top 10 stats and facts citing MAYO clinic research that believes mold is the cause!
According to the CDC, rates of asthma among children in Georgia is 3% above the national average. Is mold a factor? This article cites stats and research!
Flood and water damage not only disrupts your life but can also be hazardous to your health! This article explains the top 3 hazards and prevention measures!
A flooded home or business is always a stressful situation. This blog provides you with the 3 steps required to reduce flood damage and most importantly, mold!
Home improvement is an American tradition. But, did you know that 6 out of 10 homes could have mold? Renovating can cause serious problems. Learn more!
If you or someone in your family suffers more frequently from colds or flus and you are not sure why, the cause could be poor indoor air quality. Learn more!
The purpose of this article is to explain how you air conditioner could be a source of mold contamination making you sick and what you can do to fix it.
Have a mold concern, wondering what it will cost to remove? This article provides you with a detailed explanation of how mold removal cost is determined!
Mold sprays, bleach, biocides, and fungicides are an ineffective “short cut” to mold removal. Killing mold is not the answer! This article explains why.
Mold Removal Is Referred To As Mold Remediation Because Professionals Follow These 8 Steps. This article explains the steps and why you need to hire a pro!
“My friend wondered why his son was still sick so he broke open the anti-spill guard of his Tommee Tippee glass and discovered mold inside the anti-spill top that you can’t see except if you break it open….He has washed it with his hands and in the dishwasher and the mildew has stayed anyway.(Penny Powell)”
Yesterday there were many news reports about mold being found in Tommee Tippee sippy cups.
Outraged parents are using social media to share photos of moldy Tommee Tippee sippy cups and calling for the manufacturer to investigate the potential health harm.
Tommee Tippee addressed the issue on their FaceBook page:
“We are always very attentive to your feedback, comments, ideas and the way in which the parents use our products and their children the experience….We understand that the well-being of your children is of paramount importance, and we assure you that we have tested the valves of our cups, and the results have clearly confirmed that when the instructions for use and cleaning are followed, all works correctly. In addition to our instructions for use of cups, we have prepared a list of FAQ to help you to clean your cups and their valves.”
The company recommends the cups only be used with cold fluids, including water and non-pulp juices, rather than thick or warm liquids, such as milk or pulpy juices.
Regardless of the brand or origin of your child’s sippy cup, we recommend that you check to see that mold is not building up. The remainder of this article explains why mold could make your child sick, why mold grows on sippy cups, and how you should properly clean the sippy cup.
Mold can also produce Mycotoxins, which are poisonous substances produced by mold.
With respect to mold in the sippy cups, this may make your child sick, causing coughing, wheezing, and other respiratory conditions. The other major concern is that if there is mold, then the sippy cup could be contaminated with bacteria that could also cause sickness.
Why Does Mold Grow In Sippy Cups?
Mold needs four ingredients to grow:
Mold Spores.
Temperature.
Moisture.
Mold Food.
Since mold spores are everywhere and not visible to the eye, sippy cups can easily become contaminated with mold spores, meaning there is not much you can do to prevent this.
The only way to prevent mold from growing in your children’s cups is to properly clean them to reduce traces of food.
The other key is to eliminate all moisture after cleaning the cup.
Cleaning Tips To Keep Your Child’s Sippy Cup Mold Free
NuspinKids, another manufacturer of sippy cups, has some excellent cleaning tips on their website.
They recommend the following:
Wash the cup immediately after each use.
FULLY disassemble the cup. Moisture and food collects in the joints between parts, and is exactly the type of place where mold can grow. Separate all straws, valves, rubber rings, plastic sliding covers, and so on. Use a straw brush to scrub inside straws. Use a straw brush or a toothpick to scrub inside valves.
Pre-rinse straws, valves, and other parts that collect food with warm water. Most rubber valves can be opened by pinching with your fingers. Pinch the valve and run water through it to pre-rinse.
Wash by hand in warm soapy water, or by dishwasher.
Shake out remaining water from all parts. Shake out any water collected inside straws. If your cup or straw has a rubber valve, pinch it open while you shake to get the water out.
FULLY dry all parts before assembly. This is a key step, since moist parts won’t dry once assembled. Consider storing the cup disassembled, and assemble only when ready to use.
To further guarantee your child’s sippy cups are extra clean, on a weekly or monthly basis you may want to use these advance sterilization techniques:
Washing in a dishwasher will sanitize, and some hotter dishwasher cycles can even sterilize. The dishwasher is often the best solution for keeping your cups extra clean without exposing them to excessive temperatures and harsh chemicals that can deteriorate plastic, rubber, steel, and paint.
A steam sterilizer is effective for killing mold. As with all methods, you must ensure that the parts are fully dried afterwards, so use the dry cycle if available.
A diluted chlorine bleach bath (typically 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water, soak for 2 minutes) is effective. If you do this proceed with caution. Don’t mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or other household cleaners, ensure proper ventilation by opening windows, and thoroughly rinse and clean all the cup parts.
A vinegar bath can help to clean grime, but isn’t effective enough to meet the technical definition of sterilization and will only kill about 70% of the mold.
What You Should Do If You Own A Tommee Tippee Sippy Cup?
What You Should Do If You Own A Tommee Tippee Sippy Cup?
If you own a Sippee Cup with a one-piece valve, Tommee Tippee will send you a transparent valve (pictured above), which can give you the confidence that the cup is clean every time, or a new cup can be selected entirely. Consumers are asked to call 1-877-248-6922 to receive either of these free options.
In addition, Tommee Tippee has some great cleaning tips and videos on their website to keep your child’s sippy cup clean and mold free.
Questions about mold? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are mold experts that understand why and how mold grows. 🙂
This article article explains why mold grows on sippy cups, why it could make your child sick, and how you should properly clean the sippy cup!
An environmental hazard, mold is a type of microscopic fungi that thrives in moist conditions, and is very prevalent in humid climates. It grows on any organic material including wood, paper, drywall, tiles, wall paneling, paint, rugs and fibers.
Colonies of mold, like like stachybotrys, penicillium, aspergilus, paecilomyces, and fusarium, can cover a large area and are usually black, white, grey, brown, green, or gray. Some molds are powdery or shiny and can give off a musty or mildewy smell. Unfortunately, not all mold is visible and can be hidden or covered in the areas such as a vent; underneath a refrigerator, radiator, or sink; under the floor or a ceiling; or behind a wall.
Common causes of moisture include the following:
leaky pipes or radiators (including leaks that occur between the walls or floors);
broken or poorly sealed windows;
a damaged roof;
a damaged or deteriorated section of brickwork or the building’s facade;
water coming from a neighboring apartment (leaks; regular spilling or flooding);
air ducts;
poor ventilation, especially in a bathroom;
standing water (such as in a basement);
flooding
There are two key problems caused by mold. First, it damages the surfaces it grows on, which could eventually cause structural problems. Second, it can also cause serious health problems. Depending on your sensitivity to mold and the extent of the mold growth, you may be forced move out of your apartment if mold is present.
Inhalation of mold spores released into the air can cause illness. Some molds cause serious health concerns, especially for young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
Illnesses related to mold growth include allergic reactions (fever, itching, rashes, eye problems, breathing difficulties, etc), chronic fatigue, chronic sinusitis, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, nose bleeds, cognitive losses, asthma, and severe respiratory problems.
Severe illnesses, including hemorrhaging lungs, is caused by mycotoxins, chemicals produced by some harmful molds–mycotoxins can induce allergies and chronic, severe health problems in previously healthy people.
Considering all the potential health problems mold can cause, here are some research tips you may want to consider when you are searching for an apartment.
Steps To Avoid Mold Problems When Renting An Apartment In Georgia
One of the biggest steps you can take to avoid mold concerns is to properly research your rental before committing to a lease with a landlord.
Consider these factors in your research:
Basement apartments tend to be more prone to damp and moisture issues, so if mold is a concern, you may want to avoid renting this type of unit.
If you are renting in a multi-story building, find out if there have been any flooding issues in the basement. If so, best to avoid renting because if the building had a wet basement, there could be mold growing and since the HVAC system is located in the basement, mold spores will circulate in all units.
Check the unit for bathroom and kitchen fans. If there are none, then do not rent the unit because the building will likely have moisture issues and mold.
Ideally, rent a unit without carpet. However, if you are considering renting a unit with carpet, find out how old it is and if possible, get the landlord to change it before you move in.
Try to find out as much about the building history, specifically, does the building have a history of roof or plumbing leaks. If so, avoid renting because there will undoubtedly be mold.
Bottom line, as the tenant you are the customer of the landlord, so you have the right to choose who you rent from and should do your due diligence before you rent.
The infographic below, courtesy of Rocket Lawyer, emphasizes the need to do your due diligence before signing a lease and the necessity of creating a paper trail in the event of a future dispute.
Steps To Avoid Mold Problems When Renting An Apartment
Landlord/Tenant Responsibilities In Georgia
Generally speaking, as a tenant you have the right to live in a clean and habitable environment. Your landlord is responsible for offering you a safe environment to live in and must repair issues such as leaky pipes, roofs, and windows, which could create moisture issues that lead to mold.
Regardless of where you live, you should expect the following from your landlord:
Follow all health and safety laws so the building, apartments, and common areas are safe. (Common areas include the driveway, yard, halls, and laundry rooms.)
Make all repairs needed to keep your apartment fit and livable.
Keep all electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, appliances, and other landlord supplied features, such as elevators and appliances working and safe.
Provide containers for trash and arrange for its removal.
Supply heating, running water, and hot water.
Repair cracked, chipped, or peeling paint.
Remove paint that contains dangerous and illegal amounts of lead. Lead is very dangerous for small children and pregnant women.
As a renter, you should:
Follow all housing and fire codes that apply to you.
Keep your apartment as clean and safe as possible, including sinks, toilets, tubs, and appliances.
Put all trash in the containers supplied by the landlord.
Use all services and facilities, such as the elevator, laundry room, and heating, reasonably.
Not destroy, damage, or take any property or allow anyone else to do so. You may have to pay the landlord if you or your family or guests cause damage that is more than normal wear and tear.
Not disturb your neighbors or allow any of your guests to do so.
Obey all of your landlord’s rules if they are reasonable, clear, apply to all tenants, and you were told about the rule(s).
Pay the rent, even if your apartment needs repairs, unless the court says otherwise.
Let the landlord into your apartment, if the request to go in is reasonable.
Landlord / Tenant Mold Dispute Resolution Steps In Georgia
“If there’s one thing a renter should do, it is properly documenting the condition of the unit during the pre-move-in inspection. Tenants may be quick to check all the boxes saying everything is fine, and landlords will use that against a tenant later or when a request for repair is made. Renters need to keep in mind that they have basic rights to have their unit maintained in good condition. A landlord can’t force you to “give up having a working heater” or take the unit “as-is” when there are known problems. Tenants can demand repairs even if they signed provisions to that effect. Tenants often worry about rocking the boat and getting asked to leave if they complain. It is illegal for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant simply because a tenant is requesting repairs.” (San Francisco landlord-tenant attorney Michael Bracamontes)
There would not be a need for lawyers, if all disputes between landlords and tenants could be settled amicably. Unfortunately, there are no federal laws that set permissible exposure limits or building tolerance standards for mold in residential buildings in the United States, so the legal recourse you may have depends largely on where you live.
Some states like California, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas have passed laws aimed at developing guidelines and regulations for mold in indoor air. In addition, some municipalities, like New York City have have enacted ordinances related to mold.
If you live outside of Georgia and are seeking information on mold rules and regulations in your state, check with your state department of environmental protection or your state department of public health. For local mold-related rules, contact your city manager or mayor’s office or local health department. Click here for a useful website to find state and local governments online.
There is no federal or Georgia law establishing permissible levels of mold indoors. There may be local laws, but state environmental officials say these codes generally do not contain or enforce mold standards.
So, as a renter it becomes vital to read your lease, and know your general rights as a tenant. When you lease a home, landlords normally provide tenants with a mold addendum.
It goes into how to avoid mold, what to do if you see mold, who to report it to, etc. Sometimes landlords are responsive, and sometimes they’re not.
Considering the above information, the guidelines below will help you resolve any dispute you may have with your landlord, particularly if you have a mold concern.
Mold is caused by moisture, so the most important action you can take is to report any potential sources of moisture, including water leaks from the ceiling, under the sink, in your bathroom, etc. It is also very important that you report any water stains on walls or ceilings that could be indicative of a leak.
Once you report the concern, document it with written records and pictures. Keeping proper records is essential. Hopefully, the moisture concerns will be addressed in a timely and professional manner by your landlord.
If mold begins to grow, report this to your landlord and properly document the mold complaint with pictures and a written letter documenting your concerns. A paper trail is essential.
Also, if you think the mold is making you sick, begin to document your health issues. When did your health begin to deteriorate? When did you start seeking medical attention? How much have you spent on prescriptions, doctor visits, etc.? How many days have you been off work? Document your medical condition from when you began getting sick and track all costs, time off from work, etc. to build your case, in the event you need to seek legal remedies.
Once your complaints are filed with the landlord, it is up to the landlord to fix the problems and if there is mold have it professionally removed.
If your landlord ignores your request, delays too long or doesn’t take adequate action to solve the problem, you may have legal remedies.
Your next step is to contact your local and state governments, contact your health department, and find out if there is a local tenants’ union or other consumer rights organization dealing with landlord tenant issues in your area. Before you contact an attorney, do your due diligence and try to use all existing dispute resolution systems in place in your city and state.
If all else fails, contact an attorney for assistance.
In addition, it is important that you do not withhold rent, move out, or take further actions until you get proper advice from your attorney.
Hopefully, the information above is a starting point. Listed below are helpful resources to seek out further information and guidance if you have mold in your apartment.
Georgia Resources To Seek Out Further Information and Guidance If You Have Mold In Your Apartment
Georgia Legal Aid: Georgia’s guide to free legal information and legal services, including answers to whether landlords are responsible for repairs.
UGA Cooperative Extension: Read what University of Georgia experts have to say about mold.
Questions? We are here to help and guarantee all of our work. If you have a mold or air quality concern that you think is adversely affecting the health of your family call us, 678-697-6267 or send us an e-mail.
Steps Residents of #Georgia Can Take If They Have #Mold In Their Apartment!
