The best way to get your home’s ductwork cleaned is to hire a professional atAir Duct Cleaning. They have specialized equipment, like rotary brushes and HEPA-filter vacuums, that can reach areas the average homeowner can’t.
A visual inspection of air vents and registers can indicate when it’s time for a duct cleaning. Other indicators include a musty odor and unexplained symptoms.
Dust can contain a wide variety of particulate contaminants, including pet hair, dead skin cells, bacteria from cat litter (toxoplasmosis), mold spores, and rodent droppings. When your ductwork is dirty, these particles can circulate throughout the entire home and cover tables, smart phones, and children’s toys. They can also trigger allergies and other symptoms in those who are sensitive to them.
Dirty air ducts can also be the breeding ground for pests like mites, vermin, and mice. These creatures can be a major health hazard, especially in older homes, which may have asbestos insulation around the ducts. In this case, the duct cleaning must be interrupted, and a specialty asbestos abatement company must be called in to remove and encapsulate any suspected material.
A clean duct system will be less prone to the accumulation of new dust and other debris, increase your heating and cooling efficiency, and extend the life of your equipment. You can even reduce your energy bills and help protect the environment by using fewer fossil fuels.
The most important thing is to choose a reputable, licensed cleaner who follows NADCA’s established cleaning standards. Look for a contractor who offers a written guarantee and asks for payment up front to prevent any surprises. You can also check out your potential service provider’s licenses on your state’s website and, if necessary, hire a professional inspector to make sure the work meets local standards. You should also look for a contractor who uses source-removal techniques, which involve opening and inspecting each duct leading to the return and supply registers rather than blasting through them with high-pressure equipment. This is the best way to ensure that all traces of contamination, including dust and pests, are removed from your home’s ventilation system.
Dirt
It’s no secret that dust accumulating in your home can lead to all sorts of problems, including sneezing, itchy eyes, and coughing. But did you know that it could be caused by dirty ducts? Duct cleaning can remove harmful contaminants from a home and make a big difference for families with respiratory issues.
Dirty air ducts can be full of fine particulate contaminants like dirt, pet dander, rodent droppings, and other debris. When they are pulled throughout a home, they can become airborne and settle on surfaces like tables, smart phones, and children’s toys. This is why it’s important to clean your ducts regularly so that these contaminants don’t affect anyone living in the home.
Dusty ducts can also carry allergens like pollen, mold, mildew, and spores. These spores can then be blown into any fan blades nearby by the cross-circulation that occurs when air is being circulated. This can cause your allergies to flare up and create a vicious cycle of sneezing, itchy noses, and watery eyes.
Getting your air ducts cleaned is something that can be done by a professional or as a DIY project. If you do decide to do it yourself, you will need to use a brush to loosen the dirt present inside the duct. Then, you will need to attach a vacuum cleaner hose to the duct and vacuum up the dirt. This process can be a lot of work and take a long time. If you want to get it done right, consider hiring a professional. They will have the necessary equipment to do the job in a short amount of time. Plus, they will have the experience to ensure that all of the contaminants are removed from your ducts.
Pests
Pests such as roaches and mice may use your home’s air ducts to access other parts of the house. If these pests are not discouraged by your vigilance, they can leave behind feces, droppings, body parts, and other contaminants. These particles can circulate throughout the house and trigger allergies in those who are sensitive to them.
Cockroaches can fit into the smallest cracks and crevices, so it’s important to keep food in sealed containers at all times and to maintain tight-fitting lids on all kitchen appliances. Mice often live in ductwork, squeezing themselves into dark spaces where they can hide and sleep. These rodents can also cause problems by ripping through ductwork insulation, which can lead to a host of issues, including energy waste and damage to the HVAC system.
Gaps and cracks in the ductwork are common as these pieces age, but they should be repaired immediately to avoid pest infestations. You should watch out for signs of a rodent problem, such as chew marks, urine stains, and smudges that appear to be from dust or dirt. You should also listen for scampering or scratching noises.
If you notice these warning signs, it’s time to call a professional for help. A pest control company can remove the rodents and seal any gaps or holes in your ductwork, which will increase the efficiency of the HVAC system and reduce energy costs.
Regular duct cleaning helps reduce the risk of a pest infestation, but this isn’t enough to protect against rodents and other creatures that like dark, out-of-the-way areas to nest and breed. To prevent this, you should regularly trim bushes and weeds around your outdoor AC unit. It is also a good idea to remove any branches, leaves, or twigs that could block your vents and create drafts in your home.
Allergens
Allergies are caused when your immune system overreacts to a substance that your body views as dangerous. This overreaction can result in a host of symptoms, including sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and difficulty breathing. Although allergies are unpleasant, they are typically temporary and can be alleviated with allergy medication or at-home remedies. For those that suffer from severe allergies, however, these symptoms can last all year and cause significant discomfort in your home.
Dirty ductwork can be a breeding ground for allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mold, mildew, rodent droppings, and pet dander. When your air conditioning or heating system is running, these allergens can be spread throughout the house as the ductwork blows them around. Luckily, cleaning your air ducts can significantly reduce the number of allergens in your home.
During the air duct cleaning process, professionals can dislodge and stir up dust, dirt, allergens, and debris that may be stuck in your ductwork. Once these particles become airborne, they can circulate throughout the home and settle on surfaces, triggering allergic reactions. If you have allergies, it’s important to talk to a doctor about your symptoms and how they can be treated.
During an air duct cleaning, the specialized equipment used by our technicians can dislodge and stir up a wide variety of contaminants, including pet dander, mold spores, and pollen. These tiny particles can then become airborne and circulate throughout the home, causing allergy symptoms. If you have allergies, it’s recommended to wear a mask during an air duct cleaning and follow the other tips we provide to minimize symptoms, such as ensuring your home is well-ventilated, using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner, and keeping humidity levels low.
Mold
Mold can form in ductwork after fire, water, or pests damage the interior. It can also grow inside vents if they are clogged with pet dander or if someone in the house smokes. If mold is present, it must be thoroughly cleaned before the vents can be used again. This is not a job for a DIYer, as the wrong cleaning methods could spread mold spores and make the problem worse. There are several EPA-registered disinfectant sprays that can be used in conjunction with air duct cleaning to kill mold and prevent it from growing in the future.
If you notice black spots around your vents, this is a good indication of the presence of mold. However, you should not touch these spots with your bare hands because it could cause skin irritation and rashes. Instead, use a mixture of one part bleach and three parts water to wipe down the visible spots of mold. You should also dispose of any rags, brushes, or scrapers used in an airtight construction bag to prevent the spread of mold spores.
It’s important to note that even if you remove visible signs of mold from your air ducts, the mold spores can still be circulated in the home by the HVAC system. This can lead to respiratory problems for people with a compromised immune system. If you notice symptoms of a mold-induced health problem, such as burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat, contact your doctor immediately.
If you choose to hire a company to clean your ductwork and vents, be sure they are properly trained and equipped to deal with mold problems. Some companies only clean units and don’t take care of mold in the ductwork or vents at all.
