Can mold grow in a duct system, and what problems can it cause? 

Mold spores require a stable temperature, a food source and moisture to live and reproduce. HVAC systems provide all of these things. Any dust or dirt that passes through your air filter provide a good food source.

The furnace or air conditioner is designed to maintain a comfortable temperature, and moisture is available from several of the components in an HVAC system. Ductwork provides humid conditions, the humidifier in the furnace is wet and often holds standing water, and cooling coils are ideal areas for mold growth.

Live molds can release spores that can trigger allergic or asthmatic reactions, sometimes severe, in about 10 percent of the population.

Mold, both living and dead, can produce toxins that may cause short-term allergic reactions.

We have dealt with mold conditions inside ductwork and HVAC systems numerous times. We give the ductwork and HVAC system a very thorough cleaning, and then use encapsulation as well as a biocide application. We also recommend that the system be inspected and re-treated again after 6-8 months.

Are the residents in your building complaining about allergic reactions, watery eyes and foul smells in the common areas of your building? There’s a good chance that it’s time to have your building’s air ducts, garbage chutes and garbage compactor cleaned.

When considering environmental problems, indoor air pollution is among the highest risk to human health. Indoor air pollution levels are often ten times or more higher than those outdoors, and this is easily verified by doing a minimal amount of research online. Even in the most well-kept buildings, your ventilation ductwork can become a breeding ground for mold, mildew, fungi and bacteria. Since everyone is normally exposed to some level of indoor pollution from cooking fumes, aerosol sprays, dust, household cleaners and other sources, the effective control of indoor pollution levels relies heavily on the effective maintenance of your property’s ventilation systems and garbage chutes. This is especially true in apartment buildings and high-rises, and that’s where City Duct Cleaning can help.

The chute cleaning process basically consists of a chemical wash to soften the grimy build-up, followed by a pressure washing to blast it from the chute walls. This is followed by the cleaning and de-greasing of the garbage chute doors on each floor, and also washing and deodorizing the compactor.

The air duct cleaning process for your hallway’s fresh air supply involves first sealing off the entire system. A combination of high-powered, truck-mounted vacuum and compressed air are then used to clean the entire duct system starting from the top floor and working towards the vacuum.

The fresh air fan, it’s air intake filters and all components of the air handling system are thoroughly cleaned as well as all the air diffusers from the hallways. This process could take anywhere from half a day to several days, depending on the number of fresh air systems in your building, how dirty the systems are, and the size of your building.

City Duct Cleaning provides the cleaning of several types of air duct systems including dryer exhaust ductwork, whether these are serving common laundry areas or individual units. We clean washroom exhaust ducts, kitchen exhaust ductwork and air handling equipment as well.

There are many benefits to be gained by keeping your air systems clean, such as improved air quality and savings on energy costs to name a few.

If you are in the Greater Toronto area, please call us for a free no-obligation estimate.

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This is an editorial about City Duct Cleaning Inc. that appeared in the Toronto Sun shortly after we won the Consumers’ Choice Award for Best Duct Cleaner in the Toronto area in 2005.

We have won this prestigious award for five consecutive years now, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for 2010. We’ve been working hard to keep earning your trust, and we look forward to our continued success in providing top quality services in the Toronto area.

Sick Building Syndrome has become one of the hottest topics around the workplace, and while exact definitions of the term vary, it generally relates to poor air quality within a working environment.

It can be caused by everything from the growth of molds within ventilation systems to fumes given off by remodeling or improperly stored chemicals.

Common symptoms range from such things as headaches, eye, nose or throat irritation, dry cough, dry or itchy skin, dizziness and nausea, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and extra sensitivity to odors. In rare instances it can be fatal.

Usually sick building syndrome is associated with commercial buildings, but residential homes can also trigger symptoms as well.

Experts say that Sick Building Syndrome is the result of creating energy-efficient buildings after the first oil embargo in 1973. As the nation scrambled to cut its dependence on foreign oil, many buildings were built with sealed windows to reduce heat and energy loss.

Sick Building Syndrome describes a phenomenon whereby occupants of a building would become ill without explanation, and then the symptoms would appear to decrease or go away altogether once they left the building.

Improvements in energy efficiency and bulding design may be the major contributors of the problem. Indoor air pollution, biological contaminants such as bacteria and mold and inadequate ventilation have all contributed to a rise in SBS in recent years.

Adhesives, upholstery, carpeting, copiers, manufactured wood products, cleaning agents and pesticides are some sources of indoor air pollution. Also, according to the EPA, outdoor pollutants such as car exhaust can enter buildings through poorly located air intake vents and windows and become trapped indoors.

Compounding the problem is the fact that people are spending more and more time indoors, and building materials, furniture and equipment contain many more synthetic chemicals than they did years ago. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that newer, tightly sealed buildings raised the risk of respiratory sickness by 45 percent.

Not everyone is convinced though, that Sick Building Syndrome is responsible for all the ills laid at its door.

A major General Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, has been forced to shut seven out of their eight operating rooms for one week due to heavy amounts of dust particles.

The problem was discovered by staff members only after new air handling units were installed. They thought, after 2 days of closure and cleaning, the problem would go away, but 95 operations later… the problem was still there.

No matter what type of air handling system it is, whether commercial, residential or institutional…the air duct system must ALWAYS be checked and cleaned as necessary. Preventative maintenance goes a long way… especially in such important areas as a hospital.