August 15, 2017
Mold prevention and treatment are important steps to keeping employees happy and healthy.
Mold infestation is extremely problematic for HVAC systems. Mold spores have been known to cause a large amount of property damage. Moreover, in workplace establishments, it can lead to significant health hazard to workers. Mold spreads quickly and can cause those who are allergic to have serious reactions. However, clearing a mold infestation is not an impossible task.
Why HVAC Systems are Susceptible to Mold
HVAC systems are susceptible to mold growth. Part of the cause is the constant presence of moisture which makes it a very conducive environment for fungus and mold. The fight against mold is more really a fight against chronically humid, moisture-laden, and damp areas in the house. Therefore the HVAC system proves to be one of the most favorable locations for breeding mold infestations. In particular, one can find mold accumulation and growth in the following places:
- In and around condensation drain pans
- On cooling coils
- Inside the interiors of the duct work
- On humidifying equipment
- On cooling towers
- On dehumidifying equipment
- On return-air plenums
- Outdoor air intakes
- On screens, grills and air filters that are clogged with dirt and debris
It is a common observation that poor HVAC drainage systems lead to the collection of water in places. These stagnant pools of water, if not cleaned regularly, can harbor a number of insects, microbes, mold, and other fungi. When areas inside the HVAC system tend to be continuously damp, mold sets in grows and spreads to other areas.
Prevention and Clearing of Mold
When mold infestations are found in an HVAC system, it is imperative to conduct a thorough cleaning and have complete maintenance done to ensure that mold spores are not left or transferred anywhere else. An inch by inch check-up of the whole HVAC system is conducted, followed by an equally detailed cleaning and treatment of mold growth spots.
Cleaning and treatment for prevention of growth and spread of mold include the usage of disinfectants, fungicides, cleaning solutions, and protective coatings that are environmentally friendly yet effective and approved by the EPA. Cleaning of mold requires a planned step-by-step execution and therefore it is imperative that such infestation cleaning should be conducted only by professional St. Louis HVAC technicians.
Finally, it is essential to ensure that regular maintenance checks are scheduled and regular ductwork cleaning is conducted to prevent the formation and spreading of mold in the future.
Commercial HVAC Maintenance
For more than 30 years, Scott-Lee Heating Company has been serving industrial and commercial customers in the the St. Louis Metro area. Not only do we install a wide range of heating and air conditioning products, but we also help maintain and repair your current commercial HVAC system. We provide commercial maintenance on a wide variety of system types and brands.
Call us today at (314) 200-0788 or fill out our online contact form to request a free consultation.