This article provides you with ten tips to prevent mold in your basement. These tips are very important if your basement was recently flooded. Implement these tips to avoid future headaches and costly mold removal in the future.
Top 6 Mold Species You Will Find In Your Basement!
The infograpnhic below lists the top 6 mold species that could be growing in your basement.
To determine the species our staff will either gather the spore count in the air using our air quality testing equipment or take swab or tape samples of visible mold. The samples are then sent to an independent lab to verify the species and spore count.
Top 6 Mold Species You Will Find In Your Basement
Ten Tips To Prevent Mold In Your Basement
Top 10 Tips To Prevent Basement Mold!
Fix The Flooding Source!
The first step to preventing future flooding is to determine the cause and fix it. Most basements flood because of backed up drains, leaky pipes, human error (i.e. leaving a tap on), sewer back ups, the lack of a sump pump and/or a malfunctioning sump pump.
Start The Clean Up As Soon As Possible!
The onset of mold will begin within 24 to 48 hours, so it is essential that you begin the clean up immediately.
Hire Experienced Professionals!
If mold is not properly contained and cleaned properly, it can become airborne and contaminate even larger areas of the property.
You need to hire properly trained professionals, like Mold B Gone, who understand how to properly restore a water damaged property and prevent mold growth. Mold growth prevention is important because of the health impact it has and also because mold will impact the structural integrity of the property.
Remove All Wet and Contaminated Materials!
Most insurance companies will not recommend a complete gut for cost savings. Usually they recommend that it is necessary to only remove one foot of drywall above the flood line.
We do not because this could result in long term mold problems because moisture can creep up behind the surface. For this reason, we recommend a complete gut of the basement because the extra short term cost could result in significant long term cost savings.
The last thing you want to happen is for a reconstruction to occur only to find out six months later that you now have a mold problem.
Removal of all the drywall is not our only recommendation. We also suggest the removal of following: all flooring, including the sub-floor; insulation because it absorbs moisture; and finally, if the electrical panel was submerged under water, it should be replaced as well.
“Perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of bleach when proposed as a cleaner or sanitizing agent is that its effectiveness is greatly reduced in the presence of organic material. To be a successful sanitizer, bleach must be used on clean materials and surfaces. This is why bleach products are used in the laundry after the wash cycle or in a commercial kitchen as a component in the third sink after the dishes have been washed and rinsed. The efficacy of bleach as a sanitizer is also compromised by heat and light. Despite the fact that the chlorine odor may linger for some time after use, bleach loses strength so quickly that it is not considered to have a residual effect that would prevent future bacterial or fungal growth.”
Do Not Begin Any Rebuild Until the Basement Is Completely Dried Out!
We understand that a flooded basement disrupts your life and you want to resume your normal routine as soon as possible. However, patience is the key.
In addition, if the flood water was category 3, we recommend that swab tests be performed to ensure that the cleaning process was done effectively.
Only after it is verified that the basement is completely dry and sanitized and clearance testing verifies that the indoor air quality is healthy should the basement rebuild begin.
Properly Insulate Your Basement!
According to Mike Holmes, a respected contractor, insulation is one of the most important factors in preventing basement mold:
“When air, which is full of moisture, leaks into that insulation, it will inevitably lead to mould. Here’s why: Your basement, like every room in your home, has its own natural air convection. The air nearest the ceiling is warmer, and the air nearer the floor is cooler. The cold air at the bottom pushes the warm air up. As it rises, it comes into contact with the cooler exterior wall and releases the moisture it’s holding. It condensates. That air and moisture — if it’s able to get into the batt insulation through a gap in the seal — will wick into the insulation. Over time, it will soak that batt to the point that water can drip down the walls and pool on to the floor….You need a thermal break to stop hot from meeting cold….So, use closed cell spray foam insulation or rigid foam insulation, which will provide a thermal break and not trap any moisture. If you’re using foam insulation boards, make sure you Tuck Tape every seam, and spray-foam all corners and joints to create a 100% seal and a perfect thermal break. That way, you’ll know that anything you do inside your finished basement won’t have to be torn out in a few years because of mould.”
Cross-Ventilate!
If possible, open the windows on all sides of your basement in the evenings when the air is cooler to create a cross-ventilation air flow which will prevent excessive moisture and also ensure that a steady stream of fresh air is circulating throughout the basement.
Ensure Water Drains Away From Your Home’s Foundation!
One of the most effective ways to prevent water intrusion is to ensure that water is not sloping towards the foundation of your home but away from it. This is particularly important if your basement walls are porous and can trap moisture, which can lead to mold. To avoid this, ensure that the ground slopes away from the foundation walls of the home and your downspouts extend at least 6 feet away from the property.
Invest In A Dehumidifier!
To prevent excess moisture in your home, use a dehumidifier and consider waterproofing your basement by sealing cracks in the floor and walls with hydraulic cement and a concrete waterproofing sealer where the floor meets the walls.
One of the questions we are often asked is why do some people get sick from mold and other’s do not?
One of the biggest challenges faced by people sick from mold is the fact that doctors, friends, and other family members dismiss their symptoms simply because they do not get sick when exposed to mold.
This is tragic because many people that get sick have no control over their sickness because their bodies have a genetic pre-disposition to mold illness.
The other major problem with mold illness is the fact that there are so many symptoms, 37, associated with it, meaning it is difficult for physicians to pinpoint the cause.
This article explains how your genes impact mold illness and what you can do if you suspect that you suffer from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
Legal Challenges Faced By Mold Sensitized Individuals
Legal Challenges Faced By Mold Sensitized Individuals
Sickness from mold has been around for decades.
Victims of mold have tried to plea their cases in the courts seeking compensation for the health damages caused by poorly maintained homes and buildings that had water damage and mold.
Unfortunately, many of the plaintiffs lost their battle because the courts did not believe that mold actually makes people sick.
Despite this, data from thousands of contractors working with occupants of water-damaged buildings documented the health challenges that many mold sensitized individuals faced.
According to Erik Johnson, a mold expert and survivor, it was not until the 1990s, that the World Health Organization, acknowledged that “Sick Building Syndrome” could be caused by toxic mold.
Moving forward, finally, it seems that there is greater recognition that mold is in fact the cause of sickness for many. In 2015, the MOLDY documentary featured health professionals and people who have suffered mental and physical health issues after living in moldy homes. This was a ground breaking documentary because it brought the issue of mold and sickness to a much broader audience, thereby creating significant awareness of this issue.
One of the most notable trends he cites is a “A Tighter Connection Between Medicine and Environment“.
Pinto cites new diagnosing techniques to identify the illness, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) (detailed below), which legitimizes the tie between Water Damaged Buildings (WDB) and sickness. Research has identified a genetic component to this condition (explained below), a screening test (VCS), and most importantly, a treatment regimen.
Other trends Pinto believes demonstrate the important ties between medicine and the environment include the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) which is a scientific test that analyzes dust samples for 36 mold species. This test provides base information to identify CIRS because 26 of the mold species are considered to be water damage indicators.
This test is important because one sample can be analyzed to identify the extent of water damage in the building that could make someone susceptible to CIRS sick. Importantly, this test will provide an ERMI score, ie. a HERTSMI-2 score that can be given to physicians and will help them assess whether a building will make their patient sick.
Because of the growing medical awareness and the fact that there are now medical tests and drugs to diagnose and treat mold illness, Pinto believes that one of the other consequences of this acknowledgement will be a “More Active Justice System” where plaintiffs will now be able to get compensation because they now have science to back up their claims.
25% Of People Have A Genetic Predisposition to Mold Illness
25% Of People Have A Genetic Predisposition to Mold Illness
The most interesting aspect of the research on the effect that Sick Building Syndrome has on patients pertains to genetics. One of the biggest problems with mold sickness is that it impacts everyone differently. Some may experience minor allergies, and other health conditions like asthma and chronic sinusitis, while other mold sensitized patients may suffer severe illnesses.
One physician documented the health symptoms of 227 patients that lived in water damaged buildings during a three year period. What this doctor found was that 98% of his patients had one of the gene types where their immune systems were not able to effectively deal with contaminants from water damaged buildings.
“In layman’s terms, two different genes have been isolated, which keep some people’s immune systems from functioning properly when they have been exposed to contaminants from water-damaged buildings. Instead of properly identifying and eliminating the foreign invader, those body defense mechanisms increase the problem. When viewed with a basic understanding of genetic distributions, this research made it clear that up to a quarter of the population (25%) is at increased risk from exposure to water-damaged buildings.“
This research is very significant because it demonstrates that up to 25% of the population has a genetic pre-disposition that makes them more susceptible to mold illness and the condition known as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
Because of this research, the scientific community and legal system is now taking much greater notice because diagnostic tests, lab tests and treatment tools are being developed to help these patients.
37 Health Conditions Associated With CIRS!
37 Health Conditions Associated With CIRS!
Listed below are the 37 symptoms associated with CIRS.
“an accute and chronic, systemic inflammatory response syndrome acquired following exposure to the interior environment of a water-damaged building with resident toxigenic organisms, including, but not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and mycobacteria as well as inflammagens such as endotoxins, beta glucans, hemolysins, proteinases, mannans, c-type lectins and possibly spirocyclic drimanes, plus volatile ogranic compounds.“
For 75% of the population, when exposed to biotoxins caused by mold, the individuals immune system responds by binding with the invading poison that allows its cells to filter the biotoxins through the liver, kidneys, and other organs. In contrast, 25% of the population that have the genetic susceptibility to mold illness get sick because their bodies immune system does not bind to the biotoxin, meaning it is not eliminated and therefore continues to circulate, causing the many symptoms, documented below.
The “C” in CIRS refers to the term “Chronic” because individuals that are exposed to poisons from mold are unable to eliminate the toxins from their body, resulting in on-going and escalating sickness, particularly if the person is continually exposed to mold. This is the primary reason that the first priority of medical practitioners treating mold sensitized patients is to begin the detox process which also must coincide with movement away from the building that is constantly exposing the person to the toxins.
The “I” in CIRS refers to the term “Inflammatory” because the constant exposure to the toxins creates a cycle of sickness, meaning the individual’s immune system is constantly trying to fight the toxins, leading to inflammation.
The “R” in CIRS refers to “Response” because the human body is designed to respond to invading toxins. In the case of patients suffering from mold sickness, the immune system is constantly trying to fight the toxins causing a stress on the complete immune system of the individual, which in turn leads to other health conditions.
As stated by Pinto, the “S” in CIRS refers to “Syndrome” because:
“The symptoms are a result of many factors, including external exposures and internal responses. The contaminants from water-damaged buildings should trigger the activation of an immune response, but some people’s genetic structure does not allow the proper recognition of the biotoxin. Since this combination of circumstances inhibits the clearance of the poison from the body, these harmful substances continue to circulate and create continual damage. With such individuals there is no linear dose/response relationship, meaning that even trivial exposures can create severe problems.“
Is CIRS Life Threatening?
Is CIRS Life Threatening?
The major problem that individuals with CIRS face is their bodies immune systems become severely compromised and weakened from the vicious cycle of invading poison, immune response, and inflammation.
The end result is many of their bodies systems are damaged leading to a wide range of health conditions, some life threatening.
For this reason, many mold survivors have reported that they have abandoned the primary residence that initially made them sick; instead, seeking shelter in trailer parks, and very dry areas, with desert like conditions where moisture is limited. These drastic measures were taken by these individuals because their bodies have become so sensitized to mold that even minor exposure triggers severe reactions.
The core problem with CIRS is the fact that there are so many symptoms associated with the condition.
Are you constantly seeking medical attention?
Have you been feeling sick for an extended period of time?
If you think you may be sick because of mold, review the mold sensitized interviews to gather more information.
The next step is to verify that you actually have a bio-toxin illness caused by mold, meaning you should get your home tested for mold.
Then seek out an environmental physician who can properly diagnose, determine if you have a genetic pre-disposition to mold illness, and most importantly begin treatment so your body can properly detox.
If you are diagnosed with mold illness, your physician may request that you leave your home for awhile during the detox process.
During this period, we advise that you get all the mold removed from your home, your contents cleaned, and a thorough cleaning of your HVAC system to prevent the spread of mold spores after the remediation is complete.
Stachybotrys molds decay organic matter. The most common species, Stachybotrys chartarum, sometimes referred to as Stachybotrys atra often grows indoors.
Ideal conditions for Stachybotrys growth include moisture, a nutrient/food source, temperature, and time. Ideal humidity for this black mold is a relative humidity of 90% or higher for it to begin the germination growth process. Stachybotrys feeds on materials with a high cellulose content such as hay, straw, wood chips, and building materials such as ceiling tile, drywall, paper vapor barriers, wallpaper, insulation backing, cardboard boxes, and paper files.
Stachybotrys Is The King Of Molds!
Stachybotrys Is The King Of Molds!
Stachybotrys is considered the King of Molds because it will develop into the dominant mold group if the conditions are favorable and will crowd out the other molds that began feeding on the material first.
This happens because unlike other molds like Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium which begin growing within one to two days, Stachybotrys takes one to two weeks to begin growing.
How Does Black Stachybotrys Mold Spread?
How Does Black Stachybotrys Mold Spread?
When Stachybotrys mold is growing on wet material, the spores do not disperse as easily because the spores are held together by a sticky/slimy coating. However, when the material dries out or is disturbed, the spores will spread through the air.
The main concern of a mold remediation contractor is to prevent the spread of toxic black mold. The most effective method of doing this is through containment, which is the process of creating a poly barrier around the area where the Stachybotrys mold is growing.
This procedure is so important because Stachybotrys spreads by releasing spores. Mold contaminated materials must be removed and disposed of because this mold does not just grow on the surface of the material; it has root-like tendrils called mycelia, meaning it is able to penetrate the surface.
Typically Stachybotry mold grows in clusters at the end of stem-like structures known as hyphae.
Top 15 Health Problems Caused By Stachybotrys Black Mold!
Top 15 Health Problems Caused By Stachybotrys Black Mold!
Stachybotrys black mold is a health concern because animal studies have shown that one of the major effects of trichothecenes is immuno-suppression.
In fact, even low level exposure can suppress the immune system resulting in bacterial and viral infections, coughing, skin irritation, and other allergic reactions, and there is some speculation that it may even cause cancer.
Listed below are the top 15 health conditions caused when toxic Stachybotrys black mold is inhaled or ingested:
Sore/hoarse throat
Cold and flu symptoms (headaches, slight fever, and muscle aches)
Nosebleeds
Tingling or burning of nose, mouth, and perspiration areas (under the arms or between the legs)
In 2015, we launched our blog to help our customers in Atlanta, Georgia find answers to questions they have about mold, indoor air quality, and water damage. Over the years, we have encountered many questions about water damage. The purpose of this article is to answer some of the most common questions we encounter.
Let us know if you have further questions. Peace of mind is just a phone call away, 678-697-6267!
1. Can Water Damage Be Prevented?
There’s not a lot you can do to prevent water damage from an act of nature. Water damage from severe storms that cause over-the-ground flooding happen. But not as often as you might think.
Although flooding is a common cause, most water damage to properties is caused when indoor plumbing fails. With this in mind, the key to prevention is regular maintenance, meaning you should inspect your home or business for the following:
Make sure all your appliances (e.g., dishwasher, clothes washer, and water heater) are in good working order. Check all water connections and hoses. Remember to do this even if you have the metal braided supply hoses.
Check under your kitchen and bathroom sink for signs of corrosion and make sure connections are tight.
Check the toilets in each bathroom for any signs of leaking.
Monitor your water bills. A sudden, unexplained increase in water use can be caused by a leak.
Finally, make sure everyone knows how and where to shut off the water to the home.
2. What Happens When Water Floods My Property?
What Happens When Water Floods My Property?
When water contacts drywall, it sags and disintegrates. Then you’ll see paint bubbles and peeling as the water wicks up the drywall. After that, water saturates the insulation behind the drywall.
If water dwells in your property for any length of time, wood structures begins to swell. The glue holding your particle board kitchen and bathroom cabinets dissolves, causing them to crumble. The longer the water dwells in your property, the more likely it is that the hardwood floors will buckle and warp. Wood exposed to long-term water damage rots.
Water-soaked carpets “delaminate.” Delamination is the term for carpet that pulls away from its backing. Once this happens, the carpet is permanently ruined.
Water damage can short-out electrical systems. This can cause fire and shock hazards and damage to electronic equipment.
3. Why Should I Call Mold B Gone?
Why Should I Call Mold B Gone?
Quickly wiping or mopping up a small spill in the middle of the floor is okay.
However, if water flooded a large portion of your home or office, it’s the water you can’t see, the water that wicks up behind the wall or under the floors, that causes problems.
These dark cavities are the perfect place for mold and mildew to grow.
Moisture meters enable us to find water you can’t see hiding in the structure.
Excess water promotes mold growth, and will also compromises the structural integrity of the materials. In addition, mold exposure presents a serious health threat to everyone in the home or business.
Finally, if the water damage comes from a contaminated source like a sewage backup, it presents an imminent health threat. If this happens, then you want to avoid contact and call us immediately.
No matter what caused the water damage, to prevent future health or structural problems, water damage restoration should always be handled by a licensed, insured, certified professional water damage restoration contractor like Mold B Gone.
4. Should I Wait Until The Insurance Adjustor Comes To My Property Before I Call You?
Please check your insurance policy. In most cases, the answer is NO. Call us as soon as you need help because most homeowner and business policies require you to do whatever you can to prevent further damage.
The first step is to stop the source of water.
The second step is to call your insurance company. Ask them if you have coverage. They will probably issue you a claim number and may give you 2 or 3 names of restoration companies to call.
Finally, after you call us, take pictures of the damage. Even though we will take pictures when we arrive, we tell our customers to take as many pictures as they can for their own peace of mind!
Once you know that we are coming, you can try to remove or separate any personal items and do what you can to remove standing water, but don’t throw anything away. Most importantly, be safe!
5. What If Your Company Is Not On The List Of Restoration Companies To Call?
What If Your Company Is Not On The List Of Restoration Companies To Call?
No problem. You don’t have to use the company the insurance company recommends. You are free to hire whoever you want.
However, you will want to take steps to properly vet the contractor you choose. As with every profession, there are good water damage restoration professionals and not so good ones.
Most reputable water damage companies have worked with the major insurance companies and are experts at dealing with adjusters and claims.
When you hire Mold B Gone and we have all the information abour your claim, we’ll communicate directly with your insurance adjuster to make the process smooth and easy for you.
6. What Is So Special About What A Certified Water Damage Contractor Does?
What Is So Special About What A Certified Water Damage Contractor Does?
After we extract the water, we will also contain the affected area.
We remove any non-salvageable damaged materials.
We photo catalog every part of the damage and all damaged items.
We spray anti-microbial solution on the affected area.
Shop vacs and common household fans are not designed to remove enough moisture or generate enough air movement to dry your home or office completely after a flood. We use specialized, high-speed, industrial air movers and dehumidifiers. We set up the equipment in a specific pattern, creating the most efficient drying system for your property.
While the equipment removes and controls the humidity and moisture levels in the air, we monitor the progress on a daily basis with specialized meters to measure the moisture.
We communicate with your insurance company using the latest technology to facilitate efficient processing of your insurance claim. We’re experts at this, and we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Atlanta, Georgia recover quickly from water damage loss.
7. Should I Leave My Home or Business During Water Damage Restoration?
If the property damage doesn’t require a lot of reconstruction, you can stay in your home or office.
However, the equipment we use during the drying process can be noisy. It also creates a lot of air movement which may be considered as unlivable or unworkable conditions.
If the bathrooms in your office, or the kitchen in your home are a part of the damaged area, check with your insurance company for reimbursement of alternate living expenses or business continuity expenses until the restoration job is complete.
8. Why Does Mold B Gone Need Access To My Property?
Once the water is extracted and we begin the drying process, we need to monitor and control the moisture and humidity levels in the home. By doing this, we can prevent the growth of toxic mold. In addition, insurance companies require daily monitoring reports to justify your claim for damages.
We place our industrial sized equipment so it will operate as efficiently as possible according to the moisture mapping. We monitor and check the progress of every job regularly so we can make any adjustments as needed. Remember our job is to get you clean, dry and sanitized as quickly as we can. So monitoring helps us do that.
9. How Much Time Does It Take To Dry My Home or Business?
It all depends on the size and scope of the loss.
Completely drying a structure depends on the type of water damage, how bad it was, how long the water dwelled, and the type of building materials involved.
For example, concrete takes much longer to dry than wood.
In most cases, water damage to your home or business takes 2 to 3 days to dry.
However, properties exposed to water damage for a long time will take longer to dry!
10. Do I Need To Replace The Carpet?
It all depends on the situation.
In some situations where carpet has been wet for an extended period, water damage will cause what is called delamination (the backing separates from the fibers) and will usually require replacement.
Or if the water was from a non-clean source like sewage, the carpet will most likely need to be replaced.
But in most cases, if carpets were saturated by clean water, and if we get to them right away, they can be dried, sanitized and cleaned without damage.
11. Should I Ever Turn Off The Equipment?
No!
The drying process requires the equipment to run 24 hours a day for several days. Our specialized equipment is made to run continuously without overheating or causing safety problems. Remember, we position the equipment in a particular way to promote the drying process. Please don’t move it.
Our equipment is designed for efficiency. That means, depending on the size of the loss, on average, the estimated cost to run this equipment will be less than $5 per day.
Since we know the noise might be problematic, we often suggest you call your insurance agent to see if your policy covers alternate living expenses or business continuity expenses.
12. Will The Air Feel Dry As Well?
Yes! We set up the equipment we use during the drying process so it will remove as much moisture from the affected space as possible. Our equipment creates an atmosphere that’s as dry as possible. This is just temporary. Once the drying process is complete, and we remove the equipment, the air condition will return to normal.
In addition, you may be tempted to open windows or doors. Please don’t!
Our technicians have set up the best conditions on your property for drying it efficiently. If you open windows during the drying process it causes problems. Depending on weather conditions, opening windows slows down the drying progress. The best rule of thumb is to keep doors and windows closed, and don’t turn off air conditioning or heat without talking to us first.
13. What If Materials Need To Be Replaced?
The goal of Mold B Gone is to return your property to you in its pre-damaged condition.
Your insurance company will pay to replace “like-with-like.”
However, after large water damage to your property, when many items have been removed, you may want to renovate and update. Just keep in mind that for any upgrades, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket from what your insurance company allocated.
14. Do I Need To Find A ReConstruction Contractor To Complete Repairs After The Water Damage Restoration Is Complete?
If you hired us to handle your loss from start to finish, you don’t need to worry about finding a general contractor. We can finish the project working with reconstruction professionals we know.
15. Do You Use Harmful Chemicals?
We use several different anti-microbials or biocides during every water damage mitigation job. These prevent mold, mildew, and bacterial growth.
All of our chemicals are safe and effective and invented by the owner of Mold B Gone, Johnny Wells. If you have concerns about toxicity or chemical exposure, ask the technician on call which anti-microbial solution he will be using. You can also ask him to provide you with the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS sheets) for that product.
To be safe, it’s wise to keep yourself, children, and pets away during the drying process.
Got Water Damage Questions?
Got Water Damage Questions?
If you have more questions about water damage restoration, or you experience water damage to your Atlanta, Georgia area home and you need expert, emergency help we’re here for you! Peace of mind is just a phone call away, 678-697-6267. 🙂
Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors breathing air that is confined within a heating and air conditioning system.
At most workplaces and homes, the windows are rarely opened so air quality can sometimes be worse indoors than out.
One of the most important actions homeowners can take is to change their furnace filters regularly and keep their HVAC system properly maintained.
Air duct cleaning is also important because it removes all air-borne dust and debris from the air duct system components of the HVAC, forced air systems, gravity heaters and other related systems.
The purpose of this article is to explain why your ducts get dirty and the top 15 reasons why you should have your ducts cleaned.
Why Do Ducts Get Dirty?
Your heating and cooling system are the lungs of your home because the system takes in air and breathes it out.
One of the primary reasons you should be concerned about keeping your ducts clean is that it can affect the indoor air quality in your home.
In a typical six-room home, up to 40 pounds of dust is created annually through everyday living.
In addition to dust, through normal occupation in a home, we generate a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals.
These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated 5 to 7 times per day, on average. Over time, this re-circulation causes a build-up of contaminants in the duct work which in turn can affect the indoor air quality of your home negatively.
The video below explains why your ducts get dirty.
The remainder of this article will list 15 common reasons you should get your ducts cleaned.
#1 Increase Energy Efficiency
When your ducts become contaminated, your heating and cooling system works harder, which cuts down its life span. Clean air ducts increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems which should lower utility bills and increase money saved.
#2 Your Ducts Have Never Cleaned Before
A lot of homeowners have never even considered cleaning their ducts leading to years of build-up. If you have lived in the home for more than five years and never had the ducts cleaned, now is the time to get it done.
#3 Mildew and Mold
You may have a wet, soggy or flooded crawlspace or basement that may have allowed growth of mildew and mold, which may have further penetrated in your HVAC duct system. The last thing you want are those spores circulating around your home.
The duct system is an ideal breeding environment for bacteria, mold, fungi, and other allergens.
These allergens cause respiratory discomfort and allergies and can impact the children and elderly more because their immune systems may not be as strong.
Pollutants are brought indoors because of their microscopic air borne properties and then introduced into your HVAC system via the “cold air returns” contaminating the air.
Duct systems also provide the perfect environment for dust mites, fungi, bacteria, molds and other allergens to breed. For instance, dust mites like to breed in temperatures that fall between 72 and 86 degrees.
Cleaning your ducts will reduce allergy symptoms and improve the indoor air quality of the home.
#5 Reduce Dust
Up to 40 pounds of dust can accumulate in a six room house annually. Air duct cleaning will remove the dust that has accumulated over the years so that it does not keep circulating back into your home.
#6 New Furnace
You have installed a new furnace. The installation procedure is often quite messy that allows accumulation of dust and pollutants, which enter the living space once you start the system.
#7 You Have Pets
You have pets in your home. Pet fur has the tendency to get caught in the air vents, which provide fungus, germs, molds and allergens the right place to live on.
#8 Improper Cleaning
You had your Furnace and Air Duct System cleaned by a cleaner who simply “Blow’s and Goes” doing an unsatisfactory job.
Some cleaners utilize portable cleaning equipment they pack inside your home and assemble, potentially cross-contaminating your household from a previous job.
Hire an air duct cleaning company with a truck mounted system to prevent cross contamination.
#9 Water or Fire Restoration
Your property recently suffered damage from a water or fire loss, such as a burst pipe, ground water, sewage back up, slow leak, or high humidity levels.
Abnormal moisture levels, no matter how big or small they seem, can potentially cause significant air pollution because of mold spores or other contaminants caused by water damage.
#10 Purchased A New Home
If you recently purchased a home, it is a good idea to have the ducts cleaned particularly if the previous owners had pets. The other reason, the home may have never had the ducts cleaned. We recommend that you get the ducts cleaned before moving in.
#11 Home Renovation
Home remodeling and renovations can stir up dust and also release drywall dust into the air. Dust and debris from construction takes refuge inside the HVAC systems and begins recirculating. To avoid this, get your ducts cleaned immediately after the renovation is complete.
#12 You Smoke In Your Home
The ducts in your home are the respiratory system of your home. When you smoke, the ducts of your home will get clogged and dirty, reducing their efficiency. If you must smoke, we recommend that you do it outside to avoid the negative impact on your ducts.
#13 You Have Young Children or A Baby
If you have young kids or are welcoming a new baby to the home, provide the freshest air possible to them by making sure your HVAC system and ducts are serviced and cleaned regularly.
#14 Insects
If you notice that your home has more spiders, insects, and other creepy crawlies, they could be living in the ducts of your HVAC system. In fact, spring duct cleaning is recommended because insects love to hide in the duct work to avoid the cold. Cleaning the ducts will remove the dead insects and also prevent further infestation by stopping the life cycle.
#15 Vermin and Rodents
If you notice an odor coming from your ducts or have allergic reactions, this could be an indication that there are dead mice, rats, or other animals in your duct work.
Dead insects and animals can have a negative impact on your indoor air quality.
A thorough duct cleaning and disinfection of your ducts by a professional will address this problem.
Got Questions About Duct Cleaning?
Duct cleaning is typically not a priority maintenance item for many home owners.
As this article shows, however, there are many valuable benefits to having routine air duct maintenance and cleaning services performed in your home.
If you’re not sure whether the air ducts in your home need to be cleaned, have ever been cleaned, or the best time to clean your air ducts, give us a call, 678-697-6267.
If you have a roof leak, you may see water on your floors and water stains on the ceiling. The good news, you know that you have a problem.
However, if you have a roof leak and it goes unnoticed leading to moisture accumulation in your attic, this will eventually lead to mold growth that you may not even know exists.
This is the reason it is important to inspect your attic several times each year, just to make sure that there is no moisture buildup.
Check for discoloration of insulation and wood (e.g. rafters, sheathing, joists, attic side of fascia boards, etc.).
Check roof valleys (i.e. where two roofs join at an angle), which are highly susceptible to roof leaks.
Observe skylights, chimneys, attic windows and any portion of the attic/roof where dissimilar materials join each other (including flashings). These places are hotbeds for potential moisture intrusion.
If you have a vapor barrier installed, check for condensation. Although this is not really a roof leak, it is nevertheless a sign of a moisture problem. And moisture problems lead to attic mold problems!
Make sure there are no leaks coming from and around attic plumbing stacks.
The first step to addressing the moisture cause is to get your roof repaired, then call us to remove the mold.
#2 Missing Insulation or Improperly Installed Insulation
The quest to save money on heating and cooling bills motivates many Do-It-Yourselfer’s to install more insulation in their attics.
Unfortunately, if the wrong kind of insulation is chosen or if it is installed improperly, this can cause moisture from the lower levels of your home to rise and get trapped in the attic.
As we have written before, the primary cause of mold growth is moisture. Your attic is made of the food mold loves to feed on.
With respect to the type of insulation, if you are layering insulation on top of other insulation, make sure you do not use the kind that has paper or foil backing because it acts as a vapor barrier and can trap moisture in the insulation.
Before you decide to add more insulation to your attic, determine if you need more first. If you are unsure, contact a professional.
#3 Inadequate Attic Ventilation
One of the problems we have encountered in our projects is the fact that insulation is blocking the ventilation ducts that distribute air in the attic.
The lack of ventilation is another major cause of mold growth in your attic.
Air travels up to the attic meaning activities such as cooking, bathing, showering, etc will produce moisture that will makes it way up to the attic. If there is poor ventilation, the moisture gets trapped in the attic and can lead to mold problems.
Check your soffit vents and make sure they are free of insulation, bird nests, and other debris that could be blocking them and preventing proper air flow.
If you are unsure if the ventilation is ideal in your attic, contact a home inspector or give us a call so that we can take a look.
#4 Fans Vented Into The Attic
Mold will grow if there is moisture, food, and warmth.
Poor building practices occur when the dryer vents, plumbing vents, kitchen or bathroom fans are vented into the attic.
Dryer exhaust vents, kitchen exhaust fans and bathroom exhaust fans are designed to pump moisture out of your home. Make sure that they are vented to the outside of your home and not in the attic.
Plumbing stacks in the attic can also be a source of condensation, which can lead to attic mold growth. Plumbing stacks can also emit hazardous gases, so make sure that they too do not terminate inside the attic.
If any of your vents are routed into the attic, hire a reputable contractor to re-route the vents to the outside of your house.
Got Attic Mold Questions?
Once the cause of your attic moisture issues are identified, then the next step is to determine if you have a mold problem.
Mold is nature’s recycler and will grow and proliferate when moisture is present.
Condensation in an attic, heat and humidity from household activities (cooking, showering, etc.), and the fact that the attic provides an excellent food source for mold, provides the ideal conditions.
All mold needs to grow is 24 to 48 hours and as long as the proper conditions exist, it will continue to proliferate.
If you do find mold in your attic, DO NOT use bleach or try to kill the mold!
During the inspection, tape or swab samples of suspected mold may also be taken and sent to a micro-biology lab.
Once the type of mold and spore count is determined, we will provide with a scope of work on the best way to remediate the mold in your attic.
If you suspect that you may have mold in your attic or other areas of your home or business, call 678-697-6267 or send us an e-mail. We look forward to serving you! 🙂
