Ah the musk of mold, a smell so recognizable you just can’t miss it. Earthy, dank, damp, call it whatever you like, but the bottom line? It’s mildew. And it isn’t by any means pleasant news. You are probably wondering, “How do I have mold in my house?”, “What could have caused this?”, and here at JD’s we want to help. First, you have to understand what mold and mildew are, then find the root cause. 

What are mold and mildew? 

Mold is a naturally occurring type of Fungi that thrives on moisture and high humidity levels. These fungi can be present and naturally occurring indoors and outdoors. Mold has an unmistakable appearance, fuzzy and comes in a variety of colors such as green, black, brown, pink, or purple in color. Mold produces microscopic cells that spread throughout the air, water, or insects. These cells act like small seeds that when spread, blossom into mold and mildew spots. 

Mildew is also a type of fungi, that is essentially mold in the early stages of development. Mildew is often powdery or downy in texture. Powdery mildew will appear white, before transitioning to yellow, then to brown. And Downy mildew will appear in the form of yellow spots that turn brighter over time, and eventually turning brown. 

Why do mold and mildew appear? 

There’s no secret to it, we live in Texas where the humidity is high. And with high humidity comes high moisture levels. It’s often been found that a lead contributing factor outside of environmental elements that increase moisture in many homes is that of construction mishaps during the original build. 

Many experts can agree that mold doesn’t need much to sustain itself. Mold uses common household materials such as wood, sheetrock, and fabric for its primary food source. Even dust that accumulates in the right place can contribute to molds’ diet. As for a 5-star environment, all you need is moisture. Mold finds it’s way into your home through many different outlets, such as open doors, windows, vents, and even your homes HVAC system.  

Mold and the impact of our health – Catastrophic Possibilities

Mold and mildew can cause catastrophic impacts on our health and wellness if not properly managed. The most commonly reported health issues from the presence of mold are respiratory in nature, such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, itching eyes, and throat irritation. But did you know that you can be allergic to mold? Those who find themselves allergic to mold and mildew will often experience more severe reactions such as, shortness of breath, and severe infections inside the lungs. This is commonly caused by toxic compounds produced by mold also known as mycotoxins, which can cause severe bleeding in the lungs as well as pneumonia. 

Mold no matter where it is located within the home can result in health problems minor, to severe. But when mold is in the air conditioning system, this can turn into a particularly problematic situation. These tiny microscopic mold spores become airborne when the air blows through the ducts and then are dispersed throughout the home. There they can be easily inhaled or develop into new mold colonies. High-risk groups such as infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and any persons who have an immune deficiency are most susceptible to severe mold-related illnesses.   

How Can You Avoid Mold In Your Home? 

Keep mold from becoming an issue in your home with these tips from JD’s AC! 

1. If a flood or leak takes place in the home, thoroughly and quickly clean and dry out your home. Do not wait more than 24-48 hours to take care of the issue. 
2. Keep your humidity levels low. The ideal level, recommended by professionals is that of 50% throughout the day. 
3. Check your home ventilation, and ensure that it is efficient enough. 
4. Remove carpet in rooms that come in contact with water frequently. Such as places like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements.
5. You can add mold inhibitors to interior paint. 
6. Keep all irrigation systems a safe distance from your home. 
7. Install a dehumidifier in your home to continuously reduce moisture levels.  

Preventing Air Conditioning Mold 

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) states that keeping your air conditioning ducts free of dirt and other debris with seasonal tune-ups can reduce the likelihood of mold growth by making sure there is no organic matter in your home’s HVAC ducts on which mold feeds. Along with this, as stated above, a main conductor for mold is of course moisture. So if you find that water is present inside the air ducts of your HVAC system, you need to call a professional to immediately asses the situation. 

We’re Here For You

Call a certified HVAC technician today if you believe you have concerns about moisture levels in your home.

JD’s A/C

(903) 336-6041

https://iwantairnow.com/