Few things are as stressful to a homeowner as the word “mold.” The idea that your home could secretly be harboring the destructive (and sometimes dangerous) organism can strike fear into your heart and make you worry about exactly how much money you’ll need to spend to make things right.
But when you find what you believe to be mold in your home’s HVAC system, that can bring on a whole new type of fear. That’s why one new homeowner ran to Reddit in a panic when they removed the cover of their air vent and discovered a dark substance all over. Fearing the worst, they posted photos in the r/HVACAdvice Subreddit.
Commenters quickly jumped in to share their expert (and not-so-expert) advice and to explain what they thought the homeowner was dealing with.
The New Homeowner Believes They Found Mold Growing in Their HVAC System
Redditor @falkorwoo posted photos of the inside of the air vent from their 30-year-old house on Reddit this week, asking for advice about their new home. “Removed a vent cover and this [greeted] me,” they began the post. “Please tell me this isn’t mold. Also, WTH do I do about this?”
In the photos, a dark and fuzzy substance coated the inside of the vent and then appeared to continue all the way down into the ductwork.
The responses were quick and reassuring, with many people telling the OP that it just looks like normal buildup for a home that has been standing for three decades.
“I live in a 100-year-old house, mine looked similar,” another person added. “Shop vac, wire brush, de-grease, then paint them with some oil based black Rust-Oleum.”
More than a few people suggested that the OP call in a pro to be sure, with one person saying that you can usually find someone online to come out and check your HVAC, and then they’ll be able to tell you if you need mold remediation.
What To Do if You Find Mold in Your HVAC Ductwork
According to American Home Shield, when conditions are right, mold can absolutely grow in your ductwork. High humidity, leaks, ventilation issues, and clogged air filters can all create the right environment for mold to grow, creating a problem for you and your home.
Additionally, if you and your family frequently experience respiratory symptoms, that could be another sign. If you think you have mold in your HVAC system, your best bet is to call in a pro to check it out. They will be able to tell you if that’s truly what you’re dealing with, or if you’re just looking at some ugly buildup like the OP was.
Article source: New Homeowner’s Mold Panic Is the Summer Nightmare Everyone Dreads