For most of us, biological growth isn’t something we spend much time thinking about. But we live with it, it surrounds us, everywhere we turn. We see it in nature – on trees, under rocks and leaves on the ground, or on plants in the garden as they decay in the fall. We see it in our homes – on food left in the cupboard too long, on windowsills, sometimes on the shower walls.
Biological growth is very common. It isn’t something we can avoid.
However, not all biological growth is the same. And not all reactions to the different types are the same.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 50 million Americans experience some type of allergic reaction each year. And when the reactions get too bad, it sends over 200,000 people to the emergency room each year.
Pollen is up there as a leading cause of reaction. So is pet dander and dust mites. But even more worrisome is biological growth, which can’t be avoided because you often don’t know it’s there.
The last thing you as a homeowner wants to find is a black patch spreading throughout your attic, in a crawlspace, or tucked back in a closet. It can take weeks – months – before you notice it. And in that time your health can be compromised.
But with Georgia’s high temperatures and high humidity, it’s easy for biological growth to occur. It can start in a place you’d never expect, and slowly spread throughout your home.
There are steps you can take to ensure it doesn’t start in the first place.
Start with a well-maintained central air conditioning system
If your air conditioner is operating correctly, it keeps the temperatures and humidity levels inside your home at the proper levels. That means the temperatures are reasonable for the outside weather conditions, and the humidity is low and comfortable inside.
Keep in mind your air conditioning system sends cooled air throughout the ductwork, moving to parts of your house where you don’t normally go. If your HVAC system isn’t properly cared for, it can develop leaks and gaps over time. That means cooled air and moisture can leak in and around air ducts and joints anywhere the ductwork travels. And as moisture combines with heat, it’s the perfect conditions for biological growth to form.
Dirty ducts are also a cause
That’s why we also recommend duct cleaning to ensure your ductwork is in good operating condition and won’t allow moisture to leak where it isn’t supposed to be.
When was the last time you had your ducts cleaned? For many homeowners, they have no idea. And if your home is ten, twenty, even thirty years old or more, who knows what’s living inside each twist and turn of the duct system. While ducts don’t need regular cleaning like your carpets, they do require occasional cleaning to ensure they are clean and in good repair.
If you want to keep your home safe from biological growth, yet cool and comfortable all summer long, schedule your routine maintenance appointment today.