Mold in Air Ducts: What to Do When the Property You’re Selling Has a Mold Problem

If you are a realtor or a property seller, you know that mold isn't taken lightly because buyers can be easily be turned off a property.

Buyers will worry about the house's structural integrity, the appearance of the property, or some mold allergies such as sneezing, coughing, or asthma due to the presence of mold in air ducts. Unless you want to jeopardize your home sale—experience a significant price drop on your property or have several buyers walking away, you'll want to address the mold issue on your property before selling it. That said, here is a brief synopsis on what to do if you're selling a house that has a mold problem.

It Starts With Mold Remediation

The first step to consider before selling a property with a mold problem is to conduct mold remediation. "Will I get more luck when I sell my property after remediation?" some sellers may wonder. Mold remediation is an option for some homes. However, sellers need to clearly understand what to expect before concluding that remediation will solve all the problems.

Do-It-Yourself Methods for Mold Elimination

Most property owners prefer DIY methods if the mold is visible. Eliminating the mold by themselves helps them save money that could be used for the mold inspection. It might be tempting to get rid of mold on your own, mainly for budgetary reasons, but just cleaning the visible mold will not eliminate your mold problem in many cases. This is because by the time you see the mold, it has already spread behind the walls, and perhaps you even have mold in your HVAC system. 

The DIY method mainly involves a bleach mixture with hand tools. Another way you can clean mold without using harsh chemicals is using tea tree oil, vinegar, and baking soda. Keep in mind that DIY methods only eliminate mold growth and not spores. It's, therefore, a short solution and not advisable if you're a realtor looking forward to selling your property.

Conduct a Mold Inspection

You can get rid of mold by yourself. However, DIY mold detection is not sufficient to identify or understand the scope of the mold problem in your property. Instead, you will need to have a professional mold inspection by a qualified expert and have your HVAC system cleaned. Also, relying on allergic symptoms or smell is not a good strategy to detect mold; that's why a mold inspection is a great move, especially if you suspect there's mold. Here's what an inspection will help you identify: 

• The type of mold present; is it pathogenic, allergic, or toxigenic? 
• The scope or extent of the mold contamination. 
• What brings about the problem; for instance, moisture and debris may lead to mold in air ducts and HVAC systems. 
• The estimated work and expense.

Conduct Remediation and Keep All the Documentations

Once your property has mold, the mold can infiltrate the HVAC systems, behind the walls, and other hard-to-clean or see places in the house. Bleaching the visible areas may give you a clean result. But inspection will undoubtedly determine the hidden contamination, especially mold remediation for HVAC systems. Complete remediation, although time-consuming, intensive, and somewhat expensive, is still necessary.

Keep in mind that mold remediation for HVAC systems should always be done by experienced professionals, particularly if you intend to sell the property because you'll have legal protection and the necessary documentation (any mold found and the steps taken to remediate, are documented). Documenting everything will show that you addressed the problem and protect you if a buyer pursues legal action against you.

Consider Remediating the HVAC System and Air Ducts

Typically, remediation of the HVAC duct systems is done after a mold remediation company cleans the house, as they do not go into the ductwork or clean the HVAC units. The HVAC mold remediation process takes about 1-3 hours and then we run an EPA-approved disinfectant fog through the entire system to ensure the elimination of every inch of mold. Our HVAC duct cleaning services are tailored to meet all your needs in the most convenient way. We carry out the following services:

• Locate and eliminate sources of excess moisture that can cause mold in air ducts and HVAC systems.
• Eliminate debris from the air registers.
• Clean the furnace, air handlers, and the plenum.
• Remove mold spores, pet dander, and other allergens.
• Ensure to thoroughly clean that all the return and supply ducts on your property are thoroughly cleaned.

Disclosure

Remediating mold in your property may help you attract a broader range of buyers and avoid price drops when selling the property. However, remediating does not eliminate the need to disclose the mold problem and its remediation when listing the property. 

Selling a property with a mold problem may pose some challenges. However, by taking the necessary steps to inspect, identify, remediate, and disclose the mold problem, you'll have a smooth home selling experience.

How We Can Help Solve Your Mold Problem

At HVAC Cleaning Technologies, we will spotlessly clean the HVAC system in your property to ensure it is clean throughout the entire system, not just the ducts. Our team is all about getting rid of mold in the HVAC system, so you can sell your property with confidence.

Contact us today to get a free quote and learn more about our mold remediation services for HVAC units and air ducts.