Fungus in air duct?

[muskielaw]

So my wife got a discounted air duct cleaning off of Groupon and they were just at the house to clean the air ducts. The guy cleaning the ducts proceeds to tell my wife that there is fungus in the furnace and air ducts that could turn into mold and it will be $700 for them to clean it out. This includes spraying a chemical in there now and once a year for the next four years. Now I know of the health risks with mold but am wondering if this is common or just a scam. She got this cleaning for $40 bucks and it just seems to convenient that they hit you up for another $700. He claims he can smell it but my wife says she doesn't smell anything. We also have not been suffering any breathign problems. If this is common is $700 to much for this service? Our home is a split level 1700 sq ft. Thanks

Muskie

[Pinusbanksiana]

I think I saw something like this on one of those eye witness reports and in that case it was a scam. They set up a hidden camera and turned out the guys didn't do anything but knock on some ducts to make some noise and blow air about inside the ducts. Maybe they sprayed a little chemicals but pretty much was a scam on that show anyway.

[Pinusbanksiana]

And seriously, 40 bucks to clean the ducts? That is a pretty good deal if they actually did anything except try to sell the chemical treatment.

[leech~~]

The only way you are going to have fungus is with to much moisture so if you have a humidifier hooked up that is set to high you could get it that way. But the winter is a pretty dry time of year so how else would enough moisture be getting in there to cause it? Check that out?

[LightningBG]

send your underwater cam through the ducts and check it out.

[FishLocker]

I would ask for their certification identification before paying one cent on spraying chemicals, then check online to make sure it is a legit institution. There are a number I belonged to that make sure you are trained in detection as well as remediation of the problem...but without it they are shooting in the dark and all at your ($700) expense! Without showing you the "fungus" infestation, how in the world will he know how bad your "infection" is and how much product to use. He should also be using a thermal fogger not a sprayer, etc. etc. Make some calls to other companies and try to blow this story by them.

There are a number of great solutions to take care of this type of problem, but you either kill it or do not kill it. If you kill it you do not need subsequent treatments for 4 years...if you do not kill it...do not pay them.

The process is fairly simple for those that are trained and have the correct equipment. The more agressive formulations will need your family and pets removed while they run the fogger and then flush the home. They will cover your fish tanks etc, that you cannot bring with you.

I also question the term fungus. Mildew is moisture driven, mold can be moisture or maybe a dead mouse in the duct that rotted can start molds, but his nose can smell and discern a FUNGUS??????

You may have given the nutshell version of the conversation, but what you have relayed does not seem on the level.

Do some more research or get other professional reviews before proceeding.

[King Canada]

Pretty hard for fungus to grow on galvanized steel.

[Tom7227]

It's B. S. IMO

[jwhjr]

Sounds like they're looking for some extra cash to me.

[Stringerless!]

Ya I saw that Dateline too. After seeing that I will NEVER have mine done.

[pureinsanity]

[pureinsanity]

[harvey lee]

Not for me. Keep your money.

[pureinsanity]

Hate to say it but I would inspect your duct work and see if you even got your 40$ worth.....

[bobbymalone]

I also question the term fungus. Mildew is moisture driven, mold can be moisture or maybe a dead mouse in the duct that rotted can start molds, but his nose can smell and discern a FUNGUS??????

Mildew and mold are both fungi and the terms are used interchangeably.

You have fungal spores floating all over the house, everybody does. Leave some bread or fruit or something out for a while and you will get mold. That stuff didn't just spontaneously come out of nowhere. The key is moisture - if you have moisture then those spores that are all over your house already can grow into colonies of mold or mildew.

[FishLocker]

"Mildew and mold are both fungi and the terms are used interchangeably.

You have fungal spores floating all over the house, everybody does. Leave some bread or fruit or something out for a while and you will get mold. That stuff didn't just spontaneously come out of nowhere. The key is moisture - if you have moisture then those spores that are all over your house already can grow into colonies of mold or mildew."

[muskielaw]

Thanks everyone who responded I definitly did not pay this company. Got to love it when the wife tells you on the way out the door in the morning that she has someone coming to clean the duct work and then calls you at work to tell you they want $700!!!!