Step one was to clean up the crawlspace and encapsulate it. This process involved scrubbing the space, removing mold from floor joists, and installing a reinforced plastic barrier. The mold remediation company installed a properly sized dehumidifier to maintain a clean environment.

We inspected the ductwork and found it undersized and contaminated with dust, mold, and other microbial growth. We took pictures to show the homeowner the extent of the problem. He decided to replace the entire system based on our recommendations.

We explained to him that simply cleaning the ducts wouldn’t solve the underlying issues due to improper sizing and compromised insulation. By starting fresh, we could ensure that the new system performs optimally and provides clean air.

For this project, we used the RectorSeal® Dust Free 16 high-efficiency MERV 16 filter system, which provided excellent results. This was our first time using these filters, which proved highly effective in maintaining indoor air quality without relying on electronic purification products.

With the larger filter surface than the IQAir PerfectPro, in my opinion, you can achieve greater filtration with a far lower static drop and maintain the same filter life up to three years!

Example of the microbial and other
growth inside ducts.

The second case involved a female client whose home, built in 1987, also had a contaminated crawl space. We followed a similar process of encapsulation and installing a dehumidifier.

For the ductwork, we opted for Koolduct trunk lines with anti microbial flex runs. We aimed to reduce contaminant particulate levels to under 25% of outdoor air, which we successfully achieved using a laser particle counter for confirmation.

For this project, we also used the IQ Air PerfectPro high-efficiency MERV 16 filter system, which provided excellent results. We’ve used these filters for nearly 15 years because they proved highly effective in maintaining indoor air quality without relying on electronic purification products.

The Importance of Proper Duct Sizing and Filtration

In both projects, we discovered how important it was to size the ducts properly. The truth is that a well-sized and sealed duct system that uses high-quality filters can significantly reduce particulate matter in the air, eliminating the need for expensive electronic purification products.

By testing airflow and measuring particulate contamination before and after our work, we demonstrated the effectiveness of our solutions to both homeowners.

In addition to ductwork and filtration, we provided fresh air makeup systems using the Aprilaire E100V, a 100-pint removal dehumidification system that ventilates the space with dry air. This system pre-filters the air to catch larger particulates and further filters it through the Dust Free 16 or IQAir systems.

Mechanically controlled fresh air makeup is ideal for solving IAQ problems, as it prevents reliance on random infiltration through walls, windows, and doors.

Both clients could move back into their homes after we completed our work. The male client, who had been severely affected by mycotoxin poisoning, experienced significant improvements in his health. The before-and-after results were amazing.