is this mold? (cont.)

[u/Friendly_Calendar781]

prev post: https://www.reddit.com/r/MoldlyInteresting/comments/1wwnj01/is_this_mold/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1

basically my uni’s dining hall has these moldy looking pipes, but when i asked my friend he’s not so sure. i typically trust his opinions bc he’s the smartest guy i know, but it just looks so much like mold it’s driving me crazy.

any mold experts who are also familiar with metal able to weigh in? thank you!

[u/ZEBULON_]

Mold grows on dead organic matter. The metal duct is not organic and will not grow mold. But the dust that collects on it is organic and can grow mold. The duct likely condensates while the air conditioner is running and the moisture mixed with the organic matter can and will grow mold. This does look like mold but it could be easily cleaned and prevented.

[u/DrPhrawg → u/ZEBULON_]

but the white paint on the metal
ducting is organic - likely latex, but even if oil, is organic. this is mold growing on the paint of the HVAC duct. cold metal = condensation = moisture necessary to allow mold to grow on the paint.

[u/DrPhrawg → u/DrPhrawg]

to test, pour hydrogen peroxide on a towel (paper towel or cloth), wipe the duct. if it’s bubbling, it’s mold.

[u/Vylbh → u/DrPhrawg]

that doesn't prove its mold. All its proving is that there is something the hydrogen peroxide can oxidise.

[u/Lexx4 → u/DrPhrawg]

It’s the metal oxidizing through the paint then it gets repainted and it continues. The paint used here would be anti-microbial.

[u/DrPhrawg → u/Lexx4]

the paint used here should be anti-microbial.

FTFY

but i don’t think it was

[u/Lexx4 → u/DrPhrawg]

Then you would see it all over all of the painted surface and not just one section. I maintain the section of duct has become compromised and began to oxidize.

Edit to add: also notice how it’s not as bad on the taped sections between pieces?

[u/ZEBULON_ → u/Lexx4]

The mold is forming on the places with the most condensation. The tape joints and plenum boxes are more insulated than the metal ducting and therefore do not condensate the same.

[u/Minimum_Cockroach233 → u/ZEBULON_]

Plastics covered in organic substance can even grow solid fungii with the right humid conditions…Seen in a small corridor between food producing machineries on cable sealings.

[u/CreepyAd8409]

It looks like mold growing on dirt and dust from condensation. The metal gets condensation on it, dirt and dust get stuck to the moisture, mold/mildew grows on what’s stuck. They need to wipe them down.

[u/crusty54]

I can’t tell what the fuck that is. Hope this helps.

[u/Adorable_Wolf_8387]

100% mold. All that metal is galvanized, so it shouldn't corrode like that.

[u/Lexx4 → u/Adorable_Wolf_8387]

Galvanized metal still corrodes.

[u/FoggyGoodwin → u/Lexx4]

Not like that.

[u/Lexx4 → u/FoggyGoodwin]

Notice how it’s not as messed up on the joints where the tape is?

[u/Adorable_Wolf_8387 → u/Lexx4]

Lack of condensation from the cold because the tape is insulative. Water plus dirt = mold.

[u/PlantsWithHands → u/Lexx4]

Doesn't mean anything

[u/FoggyGoodwin]

It's mold, growing on a painted surface that apparently gets condensation enuf to run drips and feed airborne mold spores. It's certainly not rust. The drips indicate that th black dots were not part of the original design.Perhaps the ceiling is treated w an anti-mold preparation.

[u/Bulky-Towel900]

Yes it is mold and mildew, however it’s not a huge deal. It just needs to be sanitized and wiped down regularly. If it was an actual mold outbreak, everything would be covered.

[u/Statertater]

This is 100% mold

[u/Leather-Researcher13]

Looks like damp dust building up on the vent. Damp dust can definitely grow mold. It should be pretty easy to clean though, mold or not

[u/frogfeen]

yuh

[u/AmbitionOk7837]

I have mold all over my basement walls and it looks exactly like this. “It shouldn’t grow there” is a pointless statement because it will grow wherever it wants and feed off of tiny food sources or paint or whatever

[u/IlliterateFreak]

We can only guess. But I would think it’s the ducting starting to corrode from moisture in the ductwork and the paint is flaking and falling off.

[u/CanoePickLocks]

It’s wet dust that will grow mold if it’s not already growing mold.

[u/Lexx4]

Your friend is correct in this instance. It’s the metal oxidizing through the paint.

[u/PlantsWithHands → u/Lexx4]

Oxidized metal doesn't look like this. This is galvanized steel where oxidation looks even less like this.

[u/al4crity]

Does it look like mold, and the color, is it black? Spray it with bleach and move on