QwikProducts Indoor Air Quality

Mainstream Engineering Corporation

QwikProducts™
www.IAQTest.com

General Information on Indoor Air Quality

Why homeowners should be concerned with mold…

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. These grown molds then produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma. In addition, mold exposure can irritate both mold-allergic and non-allergic people.

Even if it was completely safe to have mold growing everywhere, it still wouldn’t be wanted in homes. It is a revolting fungus that smells and looks disgusting. If you avoid eating moldy bread then you probably are the type of person who does not want to breathe moldy air. However, Mold spores are invisibly wafting about everywhere, so completely removing mold from your life is going to be too difficult. But stopping mold from growing in your home spreading spores indoors is not difficult. So if you happen to suspect the presence of molds in your home you should take action to…detect, treat, and prevent.

Detect

Actually, you will want someone else to do the detecting and treating for you. If you are all about DIY we have a do it yourself section just for you that goes into more detail. But, if you want to play it safe, here is some advice for choosing who should do the work for you. When you smell mold in your home, and/or are experiencing health side effects that are associated with mold growth, it is likely there are mold spores and particles being circulated throughout your home via your A/C unit. Thus the best person to look for everyday mold problems would be your local HVAC/R technician.

Treat

Once your HVAC/R technician has located the places where mold is growing on/in your A/C unit you may want to ask how they intend to treat this problem. Some will claim that vacuuming the ducts is the way to go. "EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis because of the continuing uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning under most circumstances." If a service provider or advertiser asserts that EPA recommends routine duct cleaning or makes claims about its health benefits, you should notify EPA by writing. But, a better approach does exist.

What we at Mainstream suggest is using disinfectant to treat hard surfaces, replacing moldy or wet portions of your ductwork, and using pan tablets in your condensate line. It is a simple set of tasks that any HVAC/R technician should be capable of performing. And yes, we do of course offer products for both technicians and do it yourself homeowners that help accomplish these three tasks. We have QwikTreat™ MoldStop™ Hard Surface Disinfectant, QwikTreat™ Porous Duct Sealant, and QwikTreat™ Condensate Pan Tablets available for both homeowners and technicians.

Prevent

Once your mold situation has been effectively treated you must prevent the mold from coming back. Mold takes a mere 48 hours to grow back in a moist area after it has been removed. So have the moisture problem areas of replaced duct sealed with QwikTreat™ Porous Duct Sealant with Biocide. Also, continue placing QwikTreat™ Condensate Pan Tablets into your condensate drain line each month. Consider having your technician install a QwikTreat™ Condensate Line Tablet Dispenser to your drain line to ease this process. Most important of all though is for your technician to look into your home’s relative humidity. If the relative humidity is 55% or above then your home will continuously suffer from outbreaks of mold growth. To lower your home’s relative humidity either install a full house dehumidifier or a QwikProducts™ Humidity Control Board. If your home has humidity issues it has to be resolved, high humidity causes worst case scenario mold infestations. Ask your HVAC/R technician to help you to detect and resolve any humidity problems in your home.

Helpful Tips

    "EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis because of the continuing uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning under most circumstances." If a service provider or advertiser asserts that EPA recommends routine duct cleaning or makes claims about its health benefits, you should notify EPA by writing. The company that services your heating and cooling system may be a good source of advice.

    "If you are replacing your air conditioning system, make sure that the unit is the proper size for your needs and that all ducts are sealed at the joints." A unit that is too big will cycle on and off frequently, resulting in poor moisture removal, particularly in areas with high humidity. Also make sure that your new system is designed to manage condensation effectively.
"Promptly and properly repair any leaks or water damage."

    "Demonstrate visible evidence of microbial growth in your duct work." Some service providers may attempt to convince you that your air ducts are contaminated by demonstrating that the microorganisms found in your home grow on a settling plate (i.e., petri dish). This is inappropriate. Some microorganisms are always present in the air, and some growth on a settling plate is normal. As noted earlier, only an expert can positively identify a substance as biological growth and lab analysis may be required for final confirmation. Other testing methods are not reliable. Have your technician use our effective QwikTreat™ MoldTest™ Kit if you wish to test molds.

•	The key to mold control is moisture control.
•	If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
•	It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
•	If relative humidity is a problem check to make sure that your Air Conditioning unit is the proper size for your cooling needs.
•	Installing a full house dehumidifier or Humidity Control Board may be necessary if humidity is a problem in your home.
•	Mainstream recommends the Humidity Control Board due to its portable size, ease of installation, affordability, and effectiveness in maintaining perfect relative humidity.