Common Symptoms And Early Warning Signs Of Mold Toxicity Or Poisoning

Mold toxicity is challenging to identify and diagnose. You wouldn’t immediately equate the common symptoms with mold exposure. The differences between one-time exposure or an allergy are tough to distinguish. And, there are some myths about mold that confuse the issue.

In this article, we’re examining the difference between mold allergies and mold toxicity. Then, we’ll dig deeper into the causes and symptoms of mold toxicity. We’ll also cover how to address and prevent problems due to mold exposure.

And, that process starts at home. Even the most minor toxic mold infestations get more invasive and harmful over time. Mild health problems also worsen with constant exposure.

And unfortunately, your heating and cooling system is an ideal breeding ground for mold and other toxins. Mini splits, in particular, are vulnerable to massive infestations. That’s why we’re involved.

Related: How Mold In Ductless Mini Splits Causes Biotoxin Illness

Our parent company, HydroKleen Global, recognized the problem with mold buildup in mini splits more than a decade ago. They also realized how it affected people’s indoor air quality and overall health. 

Since then, the founders have continuously developed and improved the equipment, cleaning solutions, and processes they’ve used to eradicate microbial contaminants in more than 1.5 million mini splits in 36 countries. 

Now, as ductless systems become more popular here in the U.S., HydroKleen208 offers this service to Boise Metro and Valley County homes and businesses.

But, we’ll talk more about that later. For now, let’s focus on identifying mold toxicity symptoms and what to do if you suspect a problem in your home.

Mold Allergy Vs. Mold Toxicity

A mold allergy results from an immune system overreacting to mold spores. Symptoms include a runny nose, watery eyes, and restricted breathing, and it’s a common asthma trigger. Mold toxicity is when exposure to toxic vapors causes chronic physical and mental health problems. 

Related: Excellent Indoor Air Quality At Home Is Crucial For People With Asthma

The two are related but different. Allergy symptoms go away on their own once you’re no longer around mold spores. They don’t necessarily lead to toxicity syndrome. 

By contrast, mold toxicity also affects people who aren’t allergic. And, the symptoms stay with you even when you’re not around those contaminants anymore.

Is Black Mold Always Bad?

Black mold being poisonous is a common myth that’s not entirely accurate. People with mold allergies will experience reactions to a variety of mold strains. And, ingesting or breathing in any mold in large quantities and over a long time can cause problems. Worrying about only black mold means overlooking other issues.

As a result, you should address any type of mold buildup in your home. That’s especially so if you’re experiencing allergy symptoms, notice indoor air quality problems, or generally feel sick in your house.

How Do You Know If Mold Is Making You Sick?

Some mold toxicity symptoms resemble seasonal allergies. People also report chronic fatigue, headaches, light sensitivity, abdominal pain, diarrhea, blurred vision, and joint pain or morning stiffness, among other problems. Long-term and psychological effects include mood swings, memory, word recollection, concentration issues, tremors, and vertigo. 

With such a wide variety of symptoms, mold toxicity can often go undiagnosed. In fact, it’s a somewhat controversial diagnosis. 

Since we’re not medical experts, we’re not wading too deep into those waters. But, the fact remains that mold exposure can trigger allergic reactions and other issues. And, exposure often happens in the home. 

<h3>Mold And “Sick Building Syndrome”</h3>

Mold contributes to “Sick Building Syndrome,” which covers a variety of physical symptoms due to poor indoor air quality. It’s recognized by OSHA and the EPA and among other health organizations. And while the term usually refers to commercial buildings and businesses, it also applies to homes and dwellings. 

Related: Mold Toxicity And Physical Symptoms

Where Does Mold Grow In Your Home?

Mold grows in dark, moist, and warm places. At home, that’s a cellar or behind appliances. Plumbing leaks can result in buildup behind walls and under flooring. HVAC systems, particularly mini splits, are prone to mold infestations as they generate or remove heat and address humidity.

The problem with mini splits is that mold spores and other microbial contaminants enter as the air handlers draw them in. It’s dark inside there, and heat from the electrical and mechanical components keeps it warm.

Meanwhile, the heat transfer process affects water vapor in the air, leading to moisture inside the system. In particular, the condenser coil, where condensation occurs, gets clogged due to mold buildup.

At the same time, even the best HVAC technicians can’t really get inside to clean them. They’d have to take it apart and clean each piece and every crevice individually. It’s labor-intensive and expensive, so most contractors just include a basic surface clean with a tune-up.

Signs Of Mold In Your Ductless Mini Split

A ductless mini split in service for a year or longer likely has mold on the coil and behind the barrel fans. Common signs include:

• Poor Indoor Air Quality
• Year-Round Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
• Hot And Cold Spots In Your Home
• Electric Bill Keeps Going Up

Essentially, you’re looking for indoor air quality problems at the same time you’re noticing poor performance from your ductless system. That combination of issues indicates that the buildup inside your system is causing it to malfunction.

At the same time, it’s also spreading mold spores and other toxins as it recirculates the air running through it.

How To Clean Mold Out Of A Mini Split

The best, and really only, way to clean mold out of a mini split is with a deep cleaning. A professional needs the right equipment and cleaners to flush out all organic and nonorganic buildup in the air handlers and heat pump.

Yes, a tune-up or professional maintenance is essential to keep your system running smoothly. But, as we mentioned, it doesn’t include a comprehensive cleaning.

HydroKleen208 specializes in deep cleanings that eradicate all buildup inside your system. We do it using non-toxic and environmentally-safe cleaning solutions.

And, we use custom-built pressure washers that reach in and around all the components. We calibrate them carefully to use just enough force without damaging anything.

Related: What To Expect With Your HydroKleen Appointment

More Benefits Of Mini Split Deep Cleaning

A mini split deep cleaning doesn’t just get rid of mold and improve your indoor air quality. It also improves performance, which means better year-round comfort. And, it increases efficiency: Your system will use less electricity to do the job, which means lower utility bills. 

Related: How Often Should A Mini Split Be Cleaned?

Mini Split Cleaning in Cascade, ID

HydroKleen208 is the world-recognized leader for mini split cleaning in Cascade, ID and anywhere in Valley County or Boise Metro. Our process is guaranteed to eliminate mold spores, bacteria, and more from your home’s ductless heating and cooling system. To learn more or schedule your cleaning, click below or call (208) 779-5596.

How Long Do Mini Splits Last? (And How To Keep Them Running Great)

Mini splits usually last for 15 to 20 years. But, as they get older, they won’t perform as well. You may also notice higher electric bills and more frequent repair needs. Proper care helps you get the most from your system.

A ductless system is an excellent investment, but it’s also a big one. You’ll save a lot of money on your electric bill over time. But, the upfront cost is more than a conventional furnace or central air system.

Related: The Signs (And Risks) Of A Mini Split That’s Not Installed Properly

So, you want to do everything you can to keep your system running great for as long as possible! And, HydroKleen208 can help.

We specialize in mini split deep cleanings that can make your system run as well as when you first got it. It’s fast, easy, and inexpensive. But, it’s just one part of a great maintenance strategy.

So we’ll talk more about our services a little later. For now, we’ll outline everything you need to do so your mini split brings your great comfort, excellent indoor air quality, and low electric bills for years to come.

Cleaning The Filter

A clean air filter in every handler in your home ensures that air from each room passes through the system, gets warmed or cooled, and then recirculates. The filter prevents dust and dirt from getting into the air handler and causing problems. But, eventually, there’s so much buildup on it that air can’t pass through. So, it’s essential to keep the filter clean.

Related: Why Won’t My Mini Split Turn On? How Can I Fix It?

When To Do It

Clean your filter every month when your mini split is running. You can do it every three months during the off-season. If you have pets that shed fur or otherwise notice a lot of dirt on the filter, do it every three weeks instead.

Getting Annual Tune-Ups

Professional HVAC maintenance, or tune-ups, are essential for your mini split. A tech insects all the electrical connections and moving parts inside your system. They’ll clean, fix, or replace anything dirty, loose, dirty, not working, or worn out.

This way, your system ensures less stress and wear and tear when it’s running. You’ll enjoy better comfort and lower electric bills, too.

When To Do It

Ideally, you’ll get a tune-up in the fall before the cold weather. Then, get another in the spring before you need cooling. If you’re already into winter or summer, you can still get a tune-up.

Who To Call

Your HVAC contractor installing the system or repairing it also provides routine maintenance. We partner with Snowflake Air in the Treasure Valley and recommend them for all your ductless maintenance and repairs.

Getting Regular Cleanings

Deep cleaning for mini splits isn’t as well-known as tune-ups — at least not here in the U.S. But, this service is already essential in the many countries where ductless systems have been more common for a long time.

Here’s the problem: all sorts of mold, bacteria and other microbial contaminants build up on the coil and behind the barrel fans in your air handler. It reduces airflow, which results in hot and cold spots in your home.

At the same time, the components get worn out from working harder. You’ll also notice higher electric bills from that extra work — and, eventually, repair bills when the system breaks down.

Related: Why Replace Your Mini Split When You Can Clean It?

But, the problem people notice most is poor indoor air quality. All that junk in the system ends up circulating into the air you breathe. Homeowners notice allergy flare-ups, respiratory issues, and even mold toxicity symptoms. 

Because of this, deep cleaning is essential. And, it’s a separate service from routine maintenance. 

When To Do It

If you’ve had your mini split for more than a year, it’s time for an initial cleaning. Even in just that short time, you’d be surprised at how dirty they can get. And, you’ll often notice a difference right away. After that first cleaning, we can tell if you’ll need annual cleanings or if you can go longer in between. 

Related: How Often Should A Mini Split Be Cleaned? 

Who To Call

Of course, we recommend you call HydroKleen208 for your mini split cleanings. But, that’s not just because we like to toot our own horn! 

The truth is that cleanings are a separate service from routine maintenance. Instead, we use customized equipment and environmentally-friendly solutions that flush out virtually everything inside your air handlers and heat pump. 

We’ll also stop midway through the process to show you what we found and how we’re cleaning it. For instance, here’s a typical picture of a coil where we’ve cleaned only one side so far: 

Related: What To Expect With Your HydroKleen Visit

Our process is the culmination of more than a decade of ongoing dedicated research and development by our parent company, HydroKleen Global. As we mentioned before, mini splits are more common in other parts of the world. HydroKleen has spent years perfecting its process and equipment while cleaning more than 1.5 million systems in 36 countries. 

Related: What Does It Cost To Clean A Heat Pump?

Heat Pump Cleaning In McCall, ID

HydroKleen208 specializes in world-class mini split and heat pump cleaning in McCall, ID, along with services in Donnelly, Cascade, and further south in Boise Metro. We guarantee you’ll notice a difference after our visit. Click below or call us at (208) 779-5596 for a free consultation or to book an appointment.