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How long does it take for mold to grow in air vents?

Many homeowners experience mold spores and mold growth after the flooding of a basement or on the damp drywall, for example. With poor ventilation, black spores can grow and spread in air vents within 24–48 hours.

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Black mold in your air vents and air ducts isn’t just a danger to your home or business, it is also a danger to your health. Stachybotrys Chartarum, better known as black mold, is a toxic mold commonly found in homes or buildings with water damage or poor air circulation that leaves an area consistently damp. Humid and damp weather conditions can also create opportunities for black mold to grow. Many homeowners experience mold spores and mold growth after the flooding of a basement or on the damp drywall, for example. With poor ventilation, black spores can grow and spread in air vents within 24–48 hours. If an area of your home or business always smells like mildew, or you can see mold spores on the wall, black mold could be the reason.

Why Black Mold is Dangerous

It’s important to remember that inhaling any mold can be dangerous, not just black mold. Color isn’t a factor of how harmful a type of mold is, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We recommend removing any mold, as well as the source of moisture that caused it. Still, living or working in a place with black mold puts your health and safety at risk. Black mold can be present even if you can’t smell a musty odor coming from your HVAC system or if you can’t see and feel dampness. Sometimes black mold can be easily spotted on air vents or along duct work. Oher times, mold growth can hide from homeowners if it’s growing behind drywall or in air filters, where it can impact air quality. Even if you can’t see black mold, your body can certainly feel it if it’s making you sick. There could be black mold in your home or business if you’re experiencing these symptoms:

Headache

Sore throat

Runny Nose

Coughing

Sneezing

Watery Eyes

Fatigue

If you have respiratory issues or related health problems, your symptoms could worsen, making life miserable. Worse: If your immune system is compromised, you could contract a serious infection.

Signs You May Have Black Mold in Your Air Ducts

1. Musty Odors

If your bathroom doesn’t have great ventilation and doesn’t dry out after use, you may see little specks of mold growth on your drywall, ceilings, and in your shower. You can try to wipe these surfaces down with bleach and other household cleaners, but it could still return.

2. Black Dust

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When you turn on your HVAC system and black dust blows across the room, black mold may be lurking in your air ducts. An air duct cleaning might be in order.

3. Increased Moisture

If an area of your home or office stays damp because of excess moisture and poor air circulation, you face the risk of mold growing in the area.

4. Visible Mold

Black mold growth is easy to spot when it grows on a surface. Visible signs of mold can sometimes be found on air ducts, air filters, and along shower walls, floors, and ceilings. Mold spores can also show up on or behind damp drywall.

5. Mold Sickness Symptoms

If you, your loved ones, or coworkers start to complain of constant headaches, sore throat, a cough, or fatigue, black mold could be the reason. It’s important to make a note of your symptoms, especially if you have asthma, and share them with your doctor.

The Aftermath: Resolving Your Mold Issues

If you think you have black mold issues, don’t wait—contact ATI Restoration today for help. Our mold remediation services will target microbial contamination, moisture, and mold smell removal. Trying to clean areas of mold exposure with bleach and other household cleaners can be time-consuming. It may help to rid you of the musty smell, but the toxic mold spores will still be there and can create dangerous health issues. ATI Restoration will come to your property and conduct mold testing on areas of concern. Our moisture mapping services provide immediate solutions to mitigate potential water leaks, and stop the spread of black mold. With the use of cutting-edge technology and proven experience, our team can ensure your black mold worries will be a concern of the past.

Reach Out to the ATI Restoration Mold Removal Experts Today

Don’t let black mold spread throughout your home or building. There’s no reason for that suspected moldy smell to become a bigger mold problem. Our knowledge, services, and professionalism will help make your home or office healthy and safe again.

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