Superior Air Duct Explains: 5 Household Appliances That Can Cause Mold Growth

Your home’s air ducts can accumulate dirt, dust, dander, fungi, and mold over time. That’s why the experts at Superior Air Duct Cleaning believe you can improve your family’s health and well-being by keeping your air ducts as clean as possible.

Excellent indoor air quality goes beyond clean air ducts. You need to keep mold out of your home to prevent negative health effects. In today’s blog from Superior Air Duct Cleaning, we explain five household appliances that can cause mold growth.

Related Post: Superior Air Duct Explains: How to Prevent Moisture in Air Ducts

1. Hot Water Heater

Hot water heaters are completely sealed appliances, save for a few pipes coming in and out of them, designed to last for decades. Unfortunately, hot water heaters may develop slow leaks due to a loose drain valve. Sediment build-up due to hard water or oxidation over time may cause the tank itself to leak and form a small puddle of water under the hot water heater. Superior Air Duct Cleaning recommends checking your hot water heater at least once per month to avoid this problem from getting worse.

2. Humidifier

Humidifiers help your family breathe better during frigid winter months, and they alleviate symptoms of colds and allergies. However, room humidifiers need daily maintenance to ensure they run properly. Stagnant water in the filter can lead to mold growth very quickly. You must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your humidifier to keep mold from forming. Superior Air Duct Cleaning can give you some recommendations!

3. Front-Loading Washing Machine

The whole purpose of washing machines is to keep the water inside from splashing out. That design creates a perfect environment for growing mold. Modern washing machines may have a self-clean cycle. If not, run the washing machine empty on the hot cycle with either bleach or baking soda once per month to keep mold away.

4. Refrigerator

Condensation inside your refrigerator can stagnate and eventually form mold on the sides or shelves. Combat mold by cleaning the inside of your fridge once per month. Wipe down the walls, ceiling, shelves, and compartments after emptying the refrigerator.

5. Air Conditioning

Air conditioning uses coolant to operate. Window units are especially susceptible to mold growth, although mold may form around the vents for your HVAC system. When cool air flows through ductwork in the hot summer months, moisture in the air can condense inside the vent and ducts. This moisture can lead to patches of fungal and mold growth. Once air keeps moving through the ducts, mold spreads to the rest of your home. Superior Air Duct Cleaning specializes in cleaning your air ducts for healthier indoor air quality.

How do you detect mold?

The easiest way for you to detect mold is through a smell test. If you smell a musty odor coming from one of your appliances, chances are good you have mold build-up. Superior Air Duct Cleaning can inspect your home’s HVAC system for mold growth and damage, and then we take appropriate action to mitigate the problem.

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Superior Air Duct Cleaning & Getting Rid of Mold

The experts at Superior Air Duct Cleaning help rid your HVAC system of mold build-up that occurs in the ductwork. We clean and sanitize ducts to get rid of any microbes, bacteria, fungi, dust mites, and other allergens that could affect your family’s health. Contact Superior Air Duct Cleaning or call at for more information.