How do I find the source of mold on floor vents?
by
Karen
I noticed that there were black spots on the downstairs powder-room vent. I scrubbed them off, and they have not returned. Then I noticed the same spots on my kitchen floor vent. I'm worried that there may be moisture somewhere in the system but wonder (1) why it wouldn't be on all the vents and (2) how to locate and eradicate the source.
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May be coming through your heat/A.C. systems/ductwork.
Wiping up the mold is a band aid on a hemorrhaging wound. The visible mold is a warning sign.
Myself, Having been hospitalized for Mycotoxins Poisoning (mold),
I recommend get your ducts professionally (certified) HEPA cleaned ASAP. That will be $200-$500.
While you’re getting quotes, replace the house HVAC filter with a MERV 11 or higher filter tomorrow! I mean tomorrow.
$20 on a filter is nothing compared to 3 days in the hospital plus tests & meds.
If your ducts go through a Crawlspace, that is the culprit.
If you think $20 in a filter tomorrow & $360 on duct cleaning is expensive:
I spent 3x
$3,000 a day in the hospital and $1800 in tests & $700 in meds - to save my life, from mold poisoning.
Old ducts have perforations, which allow Crawlspace contaminates in. So all ducts in the Crawlspace must be cleaned on the outsides, repairered & sealed. That’s maybe $300-500.
If you want to have the mold in the ducts tested first, ask me for how to hire a bonafide 3rd party mold testing company.
Please please be careful and realize that children, immune compromised people & elderly often have cognitive, digestive and physical problems before anyone realizes what they really have is Mycotoxins Poisoning, of which most doctors can’t Dx.
Theres only one lab in the US that specifically tests for all toxic molds and its not covered by insurance.
Good luck.
Karen,
Take Cheryl's advice seriously. Get the ducts professionally cleaned and sealed by a company that will give you a good written warranty.
A.C. will not sufficiently remove excessive humidity for the reasons provided. Even "sealed" ducts can have miniscule air leaks, providing entry points for development of mold. Many people run a dehumidifier in addition to the A.C. Your home's humidity should be 40%, to avoid this problem.