Can air duct cleaning remove mould?

Yes air duct cleaning can remove mould if the ducts are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to kill and remaining bacteria. You should also find and address the cause of the mould to prevent it returning in the future.

What causes mould?

The root cause of mould is changes in the temperature of surfaces which in turn causes moisture.

This moisture, if left and given the right conditions, provides the food source that mould needs to grow within air ducts.

Moisture is always present in the air, however the levels of moisture can increase under certain conditions such as, drying wet clothes in a room or an increase in the number of people in the room.

The moisture in the air condenses when it comes into contact with cold surfaces. For example it’s not uncommon to see mould around window sills.

This is caused when the warm air in the room meets the cold surface of the exterior windows.

Properties with double glazing suffer less from this as the coldest exterior glass is shielded by the interior glass.

Mould in ductwork means that at some stage water has been condensing on the walls of the ducts.

Like a window, this typically happens due to changes in temperature and increases in the volume of moisture in the air.

Problems caused mould growth?

A symptom that mould is present in your system is a highly unpleasant smell. It’s common for people to smell mould before they see it.

When mould and mildew form in your air ducts, you may encounter a rotten or stale smell.

If parts of your system become clogged, mould has the ideal conditions to grow. Your problem may worsen considerably before you can actually see anything.

This is because mould spreads via spores which are too small for the eye to see. Once you do spot a substantial amount of mould, you may have a serious problem.

Mould is a health risk to everyone within the building and needs to be eradicated as quickly as possible.

Other symptoms of mould build up in ducts

If people in your environment have started to complain about irritation in their nasal passages or throat, headaches, itchy eyes and nausea, mould may the cause.

Once a large amount of mould has formed in and around your ductwork, it can start spreading into the atmosphere and cause these symptoms.

Moisture and warm temperatures are needed for mould to thrive. Mould can also become a problem if your air conditioning unit is too big for the space that it’s been installed in.

This is because it can cool down your space too quickly and switch itself off before your air has been dehumidified. This causes problems with excessive moisture.

AUTOMATED REPORTING AVAILABLE WITH THIS SERVICE via Ventsys.io

Other causes of excess moisture, damp & mould

You may also start noticing mould if you’ve frequently been putting your air conditioning on a low temperature.

Moisture in the air can condense when your vents’ cool air meets the room’s warmer air. If the moisture isn’t able to dry out, mould growth can occur.

Eventually, the moisture will travel to the ducts which not only contaminates the ducts but potentially is circulating mould spores throughout the rest of the building.

How ductwork cleaners can help

Thankfully, professional ductwork technicians can help you win the battle against mould.

They can also reduce the chances of it returning by sanitising the ducts after a thorough cleaning with professional cleaning tools.

It’s not enough to simply rely on everyday cleaning products as these won’t be powerful enough. At Perfect Service Solutions we use hospital grade disinfectants to sanitise ductwork after cleaning.

A professional cleaning company will have a clear understanding of which cleaning chemicals can be used as the wrong chemicals may even damage your duct work.

Our staff are all trained and certified and come equipped with the appropriate PPE for every project.

Can I clean my own air ducts myself?

Yes it’s possible to clean your own air ducts, however, you would need to ensure this meets with your insurance and legal obligations so that you remain compliant.

It’s typically not a good idea to attempt a clean yourself as in most cases people can only access and clean the areas around the vents.

Professional air duct cleaners have specialist equipment that they use to clean the complete length of your ducts.

Professional duct cleaning companies are also certified to remove and dispose of resources safely so they can’t cause further contamination.

Your cleaning specialists may also help you create a preventative maintenance plan to help you keep on top of mould and manage your system effectively.

By booking in regular maintenance for your AC systems and ductwork, you can prevent costly problems from occurring further down the line and continue complying with regulations.

Call us now on 08000 197 794 or email us using the form below

Simone Hart-Sibbald, Founder & CEO

Can Air Duct Cleaning Remove Mould?