If Your Air Ducts or Pipes Sweat There's a Problem
Sweat may be good when you exercise, but if your air ducts or pipes sweat, there is a problem.
When we vigorously exercise, we sweat. Unfortunately, your pipes and air ducts may start to sweat with just normal usage. When we sweat it is a sign our body is working hard and we are getting stronger. Sweating is not a sign that your air ducts or pipes are working hard, it is a sign that you could soon be encountering serious problems with water damage and mold growth.
"Sweat", when it comes to pipes and air ducts, is due to condensation. Condensation happens when cold pipes come in contact with warm, humid air. The air temperature around the pipes can drop below its dew point which causes water vapor to condense and become water droplets on the pipes surface. When warm, humid air meets cold surfaces, such as air ducts, condensation droplets can also form. These condensation droplets make the pipe or air duct look like it is sweating.
Pipe and air duct sweating is a relatively common problem in basements, but just because it is common doesn’t mean it is innocuous. This kind of sweating can lead to a very common, and dangerous problem, mold. In almost every case, basement mold can be traced back to issues with water. When there is water in your basement, either standing water or water in the form of very humid air, there is the potential for mold growth.
In a perfect world, every home improvement issue would be taken care of as soon as it arises. However, we all know this is not a perfect world. You may have mold in your basement, but assume that since you rarely go in your basement it is a problem that can remain at the end of your fix-it list. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Air from your basement often leaks into the upper living spaces of your home. Mold spores may travel up to your family room, bed room and, kitchen which can contribute to health problems. The most common issues associated with mold are respiratory illnesses and worsening allergy and asthma symptoms.
But how do you know you have a problem in your basement? There are a number of different signs that you may have mold in the basement. You need to use your nose for the first sign. When you go into your basement is there an odor that could be described as musty or earthy? Both of these terms are commonly used to describe the smell of mold. Can you see black or green splotches on your wall? Sometimes these colors look fuzzy or slimy, sometimes they simple look like discoloration. Do you find that any paint or wall paper that is in the basement is peeling? Lastly, do you see your air-duct and pipes sweating
Even if you are not in your basement very often, if you have mold, remediation is important. The most important step to take is to call Mold Solutions by Cowleys. We will be able to let you know if you really do have a mold problem. Next, if it truly is a mold problem, we're going to attack the mold on two fronts. First, we will will remove the mold and then work with you to implement strategies so that the mold does not return.
