Month: June 2023

If-Theres-Black-Dust-Around-Air-Vents-Do-I-Need-a-Professional-Duct-Cleaning

If There’s Black Dust Around Air Vents, Do I Need a Professional Cleaning Service?

Written by adleverage on June 15, 2023. Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on If There’s Black Dust Around Air Vents, Do I Need a Professional Cleaning Service?

When you see black dust around air vents, it may be time to call a professional. We’ll look at common reasons black dust or spots can form. It’s not a problem you should ignore. Addressing it may require mold remediation or other services to resolve issues in your ductwork, AC unit, and other parts of your home.

Black Dust Can Be Black Mold

Many types of mold can be found in homes. Black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) is perhaps the most concerning. It is toxic and can grow on any porous surface when moisture is present. The mycotoxins it releases can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, coughing, fatigue, skin irritation, and other symptoms.

Aside from black dust around air vents, black mold can cause strong, musty odors near where it’s growing and throughout your home. The odor may strengthen when you turn on your AC or heater. If the black dust/spots are hard to wipe off, there’s a good chance you have black mold. It may also be growing inside your vents and ducts. Only a professional has the tools and equipment to safely remove the mold and prevent it from returning.

Other types of mold can be black-colored. One is Cladosporium, which is non-toxic. It’s also more common because black mold requires humidity levels over 90% and surfaces to remain wet for at least 72 hours. Cladosporium can grow in humidity levels as low as 35%.

Nonetheless, any type of mold should be eliminated.

Black Dust Can Originate from Insulation

Old, deteriorated insulation can break apart and pieces can end up in your ventilation system. These may collect as black dust around air vents. A common cause of this problem is holes and leaks in attic ductwork, where dirty insulation may be abundant. It can then get pulled into ducts and blow out through vents, where it’s deposited as black dust.

To resolve this problem, a professional must identify and seal any leaks in your ductwork. They may also replace insulation.

Fireplace, Chimney, or Candle Soot Can Build Up

A wood-burning fireplace produces a black powdery substance that can be sucked into AC vents, travel through the ducts, and exit supply vents, where it collects as black dust. It’s reasonable to suspect this is the source if you see soot near vents during the winter. Soot from the chimney can also wind in your vents, reduce indoor air quality, and cause your HVAC system to run less efficiently.

Whether you enjoy a warm fireplace or the pleasant glow of candlelight, black dust doesn’t mean you have to stop using them. A professional may make recommendations, such as upgrading to a higher-quality filter. Air filters have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or MERV rating. Most AC filters are rated between MERV 8 and 10, but a MERV 13 filter is effective at trapping soot particles.

When to Be Concerned

If black dust around air vents is caused by soot, dust, or dirty insulation, you don’t need to be alarmed. But the buildup should be cleaned and the source eliminated so your walls don’t always look dirty. However, if mold growth and mold spores are the source of the problem, it’s an aesthetic and hygienic concern. An emergency services company like Restorerz can test for mold and provide mold remediation, clean up and fix water damage, and provide other restorations so your Southern California home is once again fresh and tidy.

Contact Restorerz for Mold Remediation

Our certified professionals are available 24/7, so you can call any time. Black dust around air vents can be a minor issue or a sign of mold contamination. There may also be a water leakage or condensation problem. We’re a full-service restoration company that can resolve the situation, clean up, and perform repairs so there’ll be no sign you ever had a problem. For a response in 60 minutes or less, call (844) 234-1800 now.

Common Types of Biohazard Cleaning Scenarios

Written by adleverage on June 9, 2023. Posted in Blog. No Comments on Common Types of Biohazard Cleaning Scenarios

A biohazard may be an apparent danger or be invisible to the human eye. Yet it can pose an immediate or long-term threat to your health. Some biohazards are more infectious than others, but in most cases, biohazard cleaning by skilled remediation specialists is required to mitigate and remove the dangers. Biohazard cleanup itself presents risks, so there are many scenarios in which you need to hire a professional.

The common types of biohazard cleaning scenarios we encounter and resolve include:

Human Blood/Bodily Fluids

Significant amounts of blood require a professional to clean up. Blood and bodily fluids can contain viruses, bacteria, and parasites; some potential pathogens include tuberculosis, salmonella, E. coli, Lyme disease, Hepatitis B & C, MRSA, and HIV. Less infectious human biohazards include urine, feces, sputum, vomit, and nasal secretions.

Death

An accident, homicide, or suicide requires biohazard cleaning and remediation. A professional is required to address such in a residence, or if a death occurs due to an industrial accident, vehicular accident, or due to communicable disease. Depending on the situation, a significant amount of cleanup and disinfection may be needed.

The decomposition process can release potentially dangerous fluids and gases. Extreme measures must be taken no matter when the death occurred. Personal protective equipment such as masks/respirators, goggles, gloves, shoe coverings, and protective outer clothing are required to reduce the risk of infection.

Animal Waste

Harmful microorganisms can be present in animal carcasses, feces, or materials they’ve used to create shelter. Bedding and building materials they used or came into contact with may also contain biohazards. Whether an animal’s waste or its carcass is discovered in a home, a crawlspace, a basement, or in an air duct, it must be considered an immediate threat to human health and be cleaned up with great care.

Microbiological Waste

Materials known to harbor viruses require biohazard cleaning. They can be present anywhere. In a laboratory setting, contaminated specimen cultures, discarded biological materials, and machinery and equipment used to mix cultures or transfer materials are potential dangers. A spill, accident, or damage in a lab requires a biohazard remediation professional to address.

Hoarding

A professional must take protective measures when in a hoarder’s residence. The materials they have hoarded are a concern, as is the potential for cockroaches, mold, animal carcasses, and human feces to be present. Hoarding is also considered a mental illness, and the individual may be extremely volatile and possibly a threat to anyone who enters.

Sharp Objects

Broken glass, splintered wood, nails, needles, scalpels, IV tubing, and other sharp objects can create a dangerous biohazard cleanup scenario. Professionals must wear protective gear and work carefully to avoid injury. They must also be thorough to ensure the scene is properly cleaned and there is no further risk of injury.

Flooding

Water can do an immense amount of damage quickly, whether from a rainstorm, an overflowing river, or a broken pipe. It can harbor bacteria and other harmful microbiological materials, while mold can quickly grow in flooded homes. The nature of the water is a concern. For example, a sewage backup can contain microorganisms, contagious diseases, chemicals, and gases.

Protecting oneself from these during cleanup requires some of the most diligent measures. Therefore, it’s essential to hire a professional after your home has been flooded.

Hire the Biohazard Cleaning Professionals at Restorerz

When you need biohazard cleanup in Los Angeles, the team at Restorerz – Emergency Services can get to the scene quickly and handle the situation. We use the best equipment to clean blood, feces, clothing, and any contaminated items. Our team also specializes in the proper disposal of biohazardous materials. Call (844) 234-1800 and we’ll be there in 60 minutes or less!