A moldy HVAC system can cause numerous problems for your building.
A moldy HVAC system can cause numerous problems for your building. That’s the most important reason to make sure that mold and mildew don’t get the chance to ruin any part of your HVAC systems because the longer they go undetected, the worse the problem becomes. Here are some helpful hints for preventing mold growth on your building’s HVAC.
Address Sources of Growth
The first step in cleaning up mold involves discovering where it could grow. Then, it’s crucial that there isn’t any water leakage present in your system or your building. Conventional preventative maintenance keeps the components of the system running smoothly, but it doesn’t always include disinfection. A single spill or overflow in one part of the building also means that there could be more problematic areas throughout the building. A leak in the roof can affect more than just the ceiling – it can also ruin layers of insulation, walls, furniture, and equipment.
Deal with Indoor Molds
Next, it’s time to deal with indoor molds. These molds can build on your HVAC system because it is so often out of sight. Typically, whenever something is out of sight, it also means that it is out of mind – forgotten about until a problem provides a reason to think about it. There are numerous ways mold can spring up in your building without you knowing about it until it’s too late.
Mold needs more than just a convenient water source to thrive, however. Temperature settings need to be favorable, just as they need to be for your workers. Mold can feast on almost anything, from drywall to paper to the carpets on your floors, especially once the infestation has spread beyond your HVAC system. That’s because mold spores are hard to find and harder to eliminate; using the incorrect fungicide will only exacerbate the problem instead of fixing it.
Design and Maintain Systems
Designing an effective HVAC system is a crucial part of ensuring that your building is comfortable throughout the year, especially when you’re worried about mold. However, if it makes too much noise, it’s a sign that your system requires maintenance. During repairs, it’s not a surprise if other problems are uncovered, such as mold growth. That’s why to prevent further problems, the coils and drain pans need to be maintained, kept clean, and flushed out. They also need to be sloped to help make drainage more effective and prevent clogs.
Humidifiers used during the dry winter season should be cleaned out to get rid of excess or filthy water that can encourage the presence of mold. Any dehumidifiers used for the spring should be prepared before they are expected to be in heavy use. This means they need to be cleaned out. All filters, ductwork, and cooling towers need to be inspected to ensure that there are no operational issues, either. Mold can interfere with all of these components, and you don’t want them to spread more spores throughout your system and cause problems for other offices in your building.
Crockett Facilities Can Help!
Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI) is committed to helping building owners, property managers, engineers, and facility professionals lower their operating expenses through HVAC preventive maintenance. We can develop a cost-effective, customized preventive maintenance plan for your commercial building that will provide you with peace of mind, improved comfort, and energy savings.
To learn more about the importance of HVAC Preventive Maintenance, please contact us at 202.600.2787 or mford@crockett-facilities.com. Our PM contract customers receive priority service with 24/7 emergency service in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!