What Does Black Mold In Air Vents Look Like

Air conditioner vents can be breeding grounds for black mold.

What does black mold in air vents look like. One of the first signs that black mold is growing in your air vents is a distinct musty mildew like smell in specific rooms or even throughout your entire home. When black mold grows on walls floors carpets and so on it s relatively easy to spot. According to the cdc the type of mold isn t important. However when black mold starts growing in your air vents things get a little trickier.

Condensation forms in the coils and ducts as cool air circulates through the system creating a habitat for moisture loving mold. Mold in hvac heating ventilation and air conditioning systems like that shown below is particularly problematic because homeowners often don t realize it s there. As cool air flows through the vents on hot days the moisture in the air can condense inside the air vent. Look for the first signs of mold around ac vents in the ducts and in the drip pans.

Take a good look and a good whiff at the vent. It is best to go ahead and treat the vent if you see or smell mold without taking steps to determining exactly what type of mold might be present. Black dust around air vents. In addition mold may appears as spots or different colors and it often has a distinct odor.

If the air vent is very old and rusted it is a good idea to scrape away all rust and rough patches with a wire brush. On hot days cool air that flows through the vents will cause the moisture in the air to condense inside the vent. Mold does have a tendency to grow inside air conditioners that sit unused for a while. Mold spores can be spread through the air so it is no wonder that some can also grow and get stuck in air ducts.

Those mold spores can make you sick. Because of its presence then mold starts to grow. When the heat or air conditioning is turned on hundreds of thousands of mold spores blow out into the house. You can see the same principle at work when you drink an icy beverage and water beads up on the outside of the glass.

If you notice black dust around your air vents this. It s likely that mold developed in the unit over the winter and you didn t notice it until you turned. After cleaning the air vent and letting it dry i highly recommend coating the air vent with a sealing spray paint such as kilz which will help prevent new mold growth. You may also be able to see the presence of mold around drip pans air ducts and within intake vents.

Common causes of black mold in air vents.