Mold in air condition systems in Kansas City represents a significant cause for concern for property owners. Once mold starts growing in your air conditioning unit, it can spread through the ventilation system in your home, exposing you to mold spores that can cause serious health issues.
You can focus on preventing mold with an AC tune-up in Kansas City from Air Unlimited Heating & Cooling. Our team also offers solutions for getting rid of mold once it gets established in your air conditioning system.
Call us at (816) 286-7258 to learn more about your options or set up an appointment.
Take Steps to Prevent Mold in Your Air Conditioner
You can take proactive measures to minimize the chances of mold growing in your air conditioning unit in Kansas City. Experts recommend that you do the following.
Minimize Moisture Build-Up
Mold grows well in damp and dark areas, making air conditioning units prime growth areas for mold spores. You have an increased chance of discovering mold growth if you have a unit that collects water from the air and deposits it in a reservoir.
Make sure you empty the reservoir regularly to prevent mold growth. Also, clean and disinfect the reservoir when you wash it, making it a less attractive location for mold growth. Additionally, you may prevent mold growth by buying a unit that comes with a humidity control feature.
Keep Organic Particles Out of the Air Conditioner
Mold needs something to eat while growing. Organic matter, such as pet dander or particles found in dust, can provide the resources mold needs to thrive. You can deny mold the food it craves by vacuuming the inside of the AC unit and regularly replacing the air filter in your AC system.
Leave Your Unit Running All the Time
Mold in air conditioner units tends to grow more quickly if the unit stops running. Stagnant air allows the spores to settle into a moist environment and thrive. Therefore, we recommend that you keep your AC unit running, even if you must leave your house for vacation.
Signs that You Have a Mold Outbreak in Kansas City
Taking proactive steps can help you prevent mold growth in your home. However, what should you do if you forget to take preventative actions or if you suspect that mold is spreading through your property even with your precautions?
You may notice several signs if you have mold growth in your window air conditioners, HVAC system, or other parts of your house. Consider reaching out to the professionals for assistance if you notice any of the following signs.
Visible Evidence of Mold Growth
Mold growth may escape the naked eye in the early stages. Yet, eventually, mold infestations leave visible signs on your property. For example, you may notice green or black marks on your wall, sometimes with a fuzzy appearance.
A Musty Smell in Your Home
Mold often generates a musty smell as it grows. If the mold grows in your air conditioning unit, you may notice this smell around the vents that deliver cool air through your home. Reach out to the professionals for help confirming your suspicion.
Strange Health Symptoms
Some forms of mold cause allergic reactions and other respiratory symptoms. Individuals who inhale mold spores may experience:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy noise
- Migraine headaches
- Itchy eyes
Some forms of mold, like black mold, can cause more severe symptoms. Black mold spores are toxic and may lead to severe respiratory distress. If you suspect you have black mold in your home, reach out to the professionals to clean it up.
Solutions to Handle Mold Outbreaks in Your Home
Are you dealing with mold growth in your AC unit? You have options to handle mold remediation, allowing you to breathe more easily in your home. Below are some methods you can follow to get rid of mold spores.
Replacing Your AC Unit
Have you noticed mold growth in a window unit? In this situation, it’s sometimes easier to get rid of the unit and replace it entirely. Cleaning and disinfecting the unit may cost more and may not completely remove all traces of mold spores, allowing for regrowth.
We recommend that you carefully handle your unit if you decide to remove it. Wear gloves, goggles, and a face mask to avoid excess exposure to mold spores when you move the unit.
You may even consider contacting a professional mold remediation crew to help remove your old unit if you have health concerns about the dangers of mold exposure.
Contact a Mold Remediation Company
Mold in air conditioner units can be removed in some cases. Removing the unit may not work if you have a central air conditioner. Cleaning up a mold infestation requires assistance removing the mold from the AC unit, your ductwork, and anywhere else it may have spread in your home.
We recommend working with professionals when you deal with mold removal. Exposing yourself to mold spores could have severe consequences for your health, whereas professional companies have the appropriate personal protective gear (PPG) to handle mold cleanup.
Mold remediation experts also have the proper equipment, including:
- Professional-grade disinfectants
- Plastic sheeting to protect unaffected areas of your home
- Infrared scanners to locate unseen sources of moisture
Crews use their experience to eliminate items infested with mold and disinfect all surfaces exposed to mold spores. They handle the safe disposal of infested items, as well, allowing you to focus on getting things back to normal in your property.
Consider Cleaning the Unit on Your Own
You may decide to clean small spots of mold on your own. However, self-cleaning your air conditioning system may leave pieces of the infestation behind, allowing the mold to grow once more and threatening your health.
Therefore, experts recommend that you allow the professionals to clean the interior of your system, replace your air filter, deep clean all surfaces, and scrub down the unit. You can reach out to us for professional help with mold concerns.
Allow Us to Assist You with Common Kinds of Mold
Our team has experience helping you keep your air conditioning unit in excellent condition. We understand the hazards posed by many common types of mold, including:
- Aspergillus
- Cladosporium
- Stachybotrys chartatum
Most of these forms of mold can lead to allergic reactions or illnesses if you inhale their spores. They impact individuals with a weakened immune system more than healthy individuals. However, anyone can experience adverse health effects from mold exposure.
The experts classify some forms of mold as toxic. You may be familiar with black mold, which can produce mycotoxins. These toxins can be fatal in some cases, making it very important to take any mold outbreak very seriously.
In some cases, you may start to experience health effects from mold before you see any signs of an infestation. Do not hesitate to reach out to the professionals if you suspect you have mold growing in your air conditioning unit.
Get Help Handling Mold in Your Air Conditioner in Kansas City
Mold in air conditioning units can spread through your home or business, impacting your well-being and even damaging your property. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent mold growth or address an infestation with Air Unlimited Heating & Cooling.
Find out more by calling us at (816) 286-7258. You can also read more about common AC problems by checking out our blog.