Keystone Mechanical Group prides itself in providing exceptional residential, commercial and industrial HVAC services. For more information on their services, visit http://www.keystonemech.ca/.

1. How to Control Mold In Your
HVAC System

2. When most people think of household mold,
they envision basements or windowsills or
attics. Every homeowner knows that mold is a
health threat, and every homeowner knows that
it must be controlled, but not all homeowners
know that it could also be lurking within your
HVAC system.

3. What is HVAC?
HVAC is an acronym that stands for “Heating,
Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. It refers to the various
types of equipment that are responsible for the heating,
cooling and ventilation of homes and businesses.
HVAC systems are designed to monitor and regulate
the temperature and air flow within the building, so
everyone inside is comfortable. The programmed
temperature is maintained by HVAC sensors, and if a
problem occurs with the sensors, the whole system may
malfunction.

4. Dangers of Mold in HVAC
Mold is a living organism that requires moisture to grow
and multiply. Mold feeds on just about any substance,
including wood, carpet, drywall and anything else that
gets in its path.
A forced-air HVAC system is a great vehicle to help
spread mold throughout your home or business, which
is why it is so important to check the system on a
regular basis.
If you allow a mold outbreak in the HVAC system, the
same thing that is providing you comfort is also
spreading the mold around.

5. Dangers cont…
Some of the common dangers of mold exposure
include:
• headaches
• allergic reactions similar to hay fever
• skin irritation
• asthma
• sensitivity to other allergens

6. Check for Moisture
In order to keep any mold in your HVAC system under
control, it’s important to check for moisture regularly.
Look for signs of moisture in:
• Drain lines
• Coils
• Condensate pans
• HVAC ducts
• Blowers
• Air handlers
• Plenums

7. Steps to Take
If you have a feeling or see evidence of moisture and/or
mold in the HVAC system, it’s important to take action
before the problem gets out of hand. Mold can start
growing within 48 hours, so keep these steps in mind:
• Turn off the HVAC system
• Use a proper N-95 respirator or higher if cleaning mold
• Remove standing water with a wet vac and fix any
leaks in the system
• Isolate each areas after cleaning so mold spores
aren’t spread around
• Clean all surfaces of mold, including non-porous

8. More Steps
• Replace or throw away any materials that can’t be
properly cleaned but are integral to the system
• Replace materials that can’t be dried properly,
including carpets, insulation or wallboard
• Don’t hesitate to call in professionals if you feel like
you can’t control the problem effectively

9. Scheduling Maintenance
Scheduling regular maintenance is an integral part of
keeping mold away and keeping your HVAC system
running well.
With regular maintenance, equipment can be replaced
and repaired when necessary, and moisture will never
become a serious issue.
Take the time to schedule HVAC maintenance if it’s
been a while, and then set up a schedule so you don’t
have to worry.

10. Advice
Keystone Mechanical Group prides itself in providing
exceptional residential, commercial and industrial
HVAC services. For more information on their
services, visit http://www.keystonemech.ca/.