Megan Barron – WernerCo

The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning

September 20, 2024 Megan Barron

Air ducts often contain harmful contaminants like pet dander, mildew, bacteria and mold spores. These organisms can contaminate the quality of the indoor air, which makes it more difficult for allergy and asthma sufferers to breathe.

Duct cleaning is also a good idea if you’re experiencing signs of vermin infestation or large amounts of dust on vents and registers. Reach out Air Duct Cleaning Salt Lake City for expert guidance.

Many people think outdoor air is to blame for their allergies, but indoor allergens can be just as troublesome. Dirty ductwork can collect and distribute allergy-causing substances throughout the home. These include dust mites, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and other common allergens that can cause rashes, runny noses, itchy eyes, and other symptoms.

Each time your HVAC system circulates, it pulls air through the ductwork. This air can contain a variety of pollutants that can trigger allergy symptoms. These include dust, dirt, and airborne particulates that are missed by your regular household filters. In addition, your ductwork can be infested with mildew, mold, and other toxic substances that can affect the quality of the air inside your home.

These contaminants are blown around your house each time the heating and cooling system kicks in. This can make allergies worse for anyone in your family, and it can also aggravate existing respiratory problems.

In fact, studies have shown that dirty ductwork can be more than five times more polluted than outside air. Keeping your ductwork clean can significantly improve the indoor air quality in your home and eliminate allergy warning signs.

When you schedule an appointment for duct cleaning, keep in mind that the technician will need to access your furnace and other equipment. They may need to enter your attic, basement, garage, or utility closet. If you have children, pets, or a Zoom meeting, you may want to reschedule the day of the appointment. Likewise, you should clear out any rooms that the technician might need to visit, as they can make a lot of noise and will need to move things.

Dust

Duct cleaning involves removing dust, pollen, pet dander, and other pollutants from the long channels that carry heated and cooled air throughout a home. This process usually starts by closing all vents in the house and using a powerful vacuum to create negative pressure in the vents. Then, a technician uses tools such as rotating brushes and compressed agitation air whipping to dislodge the settled dust in your ducts. Once it’s loose, the dust is easily sucked up by the vacuum.

The problem with dust is that it often ends up in your lungs. It can also irritate the skin, making it dry and itchy. People with autoimmune disorders or a history of respiratory issues are especially susceptible to the health complications that can arise from bad indoor air quality. These problems include sneezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

Dirty ducts also reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system. This can increase your energy costs and cause unnecessary wear and tear on the system. It can even lead to the system breaking down completely. It is recommended that you get your ducts cleaned on a regular basis, as well as keep your filters clean to prevent problems.

Generally, the dust that accumulates in your ductwork is created from human and pet dander. These dust particles are then circulated through the home and become a nuisance. When you have pets, it’s important to have your ducts cleaned on a more frequent basis, as they will likely produce more dust than other households without pets.

The question of how often to clean your ducts is one that depends on each household and its unique situation. For some, a yearly cleaning may be adequate. But, for most, it is best to have them cleaned at least every two to three years.

The main reason that you should regularly have your ducts cleaned is to improve the indoor air quality in your home. The benefits of a clean air duct are numerous and can help your family stay healthy and comfortable at home. The next time you consider hiring a professional to perform a duct cleaning, choose wisely. You will want to be sure that they are qualified and follow NADCA’s guidelines for safe and effective cleaning.

Mold

A dirty air duct can promote the growth of mold. This can lead to a musty smell that can circulate throughout the house. Mold spores can make people sick, especially those with respiratory issues like asthma and sinusitis. They can also aggravate skin problems, such as rashes and itching. Black mold in particular can be toxic, and it can affect the immune system.

If you notice a musty smell when entering your home, it could be from black mold in the vents. This is a clear sign that you need an air duct cleaning. A professional can clean the ducts and prevent mold from growing again.

Visible signs of mold in air ducts include dark spots or black dust particles around the vents. The ducts themselves may look wet or slimy. In addition, mold can form in drip pans where the condenser coils pull moisture from the air.

There are a few products that are registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as mold sanitizers on hard surfaces, which includes bare sheet metal ducts. However, it is important to remember that the sanitizer will not work on duct insulation or fiberglass duct liner. Therefore, if you have these types of ducts, they will need to be removed and replaced with new ones.

In addition, it is a good idea to check for slow water leaks in the walls. These leaks might not be visible right away, but they can create an ideal breeding ground for mold in the ductwork and can also cause water damage.

Even if no visible signs of mold are present, you may need an air duct cleaning. This is because the allergens such as pollen, pet dander, tobacco smoke, VOCs, and microbial volatile organic compounds can still build up in the ductwork. This can cause allergy symptoms in the house and even outside. Air duct cleaning will remove these contaminants and improve the overall indoor air quality of the home. It will also help to improve the efficiency of the air conditioning and heating systems. This can save you money on energy costs in the long run.

Odors

Odors can make living at home unpleasant, especially if the culprits aren’t easy to get rid of. Rather than trying to mask unpleasant smells with perfumes or air fresheners, getting to the root of the problem is the best course of action. If the odors that you’re experiencing are due to dirty ducts, having them cleaned is one way to improve the overall indoor air quality in your home.

When you turn on your HVAC system, air is pushed through the ductwork and then into all of the rooms in your home. Over time, this air contains a variety of contaminants such as bacteria, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, dust mites, and tobacco smoke. These allergens are blown into your home’s ventilation system and circulated around five to seven times every day. Over time, they can create a significant build-up that causes unpleasant smells.

Air duct cleaning removes these particles, which eliminates the odors that they cause. A professional service provider will use specialized equipment to clean out the ducts and clean vent covers, removing dirt and debris. They can also apply antimicrobial treatments or deodorizers to eliminate any bacteria, mold spores, and odor-causing compounds that are trapped inside the ductwork. They will check for duct leaks and seal them to prevent future odor problems.

Unpleasant odors that are trapped in air ducts may be caused by various things such as cooking aromas, cleaning agents, paint fumes, cigarette smoke, pets, vermin and rodents, and even natural gas. If the odors are accompanied by a rancid or rotting scent, you should get your ducts cleaned right away because they could contain dead animals and other debris that is being blown into your home.

Maintaining a regular schedule of replacing or cleaning your filters, which helps reduce odor-causing particles and keeps the ventilation system clean. It is also a good idea to periodically wipe down the vent covers to keep them free of condensation and other debris that can lead to foul odors. A professional duct cleaning will ensure that all of these contaminants are eliminated from your home’s ventilation system.

Dock Building

Proper Dock Maintenance Saves Time, Money and Potential Injuries

November 10, 2023December 14, 2024 Megan Barron

While docks are often overlooked, they are the first line of defense against boaters and harsh weather. Keeping them safe and looking good can save time, money and potential injuries like splinters.

Life gets busy, but putting a reminder on your calendar once a month to inspect and clean your dock is a smart move. It will help ensure that any small problems don’t grow into large, expensive ones.

Docks are prone to structural damage due to weather conditions, water exposure and heavy loads. Regular inspections help identify issues early on and prevent them from deteriorating further. This prevents costly repairs and extends the lifespan of your dock.

In addition to identifying problems, dock inspections can also help keep everyone on your property safe. If your dock has loose boards, rotting or nails sticking up, it can be a safety hazard for kids and guests. Additionally, it’s important to regularly inspect ladders for wear and tear so they don’t break off in the water or fall off of the dock.

During an inspection, the inspector will look for any signs of damage or deterioration to your dock’s supports, including rot, corrosion and cracking. He or she will also check for any load-bearing capacity concerns. This ensures that your dock is safe to support boats and other equipment.

Additionally, the inspection process includes a thorough examination of the electrical components in your dock. This includes checking for exposed wiring, outlets and lighting fixtures. This ensures that these systems are protected from water infiltration and that they meet all necessary regulations and codes.

Another aspect of dock maintenance that is often overlooked is lubricating all moving parts on your dock. This helps reduce friction and wear, which in turn prolongs the life of the equipment and keeps it operating smoothly. The inspection will also include ensuring that all lights and visual safety systems are working properly.

Whether you’re looking for a professional to conduct an inspection or a local marina to service your dock and boat lift, it’s always best to work with a company that has experience in the industry. This will ensure that they know what to look for and how to address it quickly and effectively.

By regularly inspecting your dock and taking action on any small issues, you’ll be able to enjoy it for many years to come. Just make sure you set reminders on your phone or in your calendar to ensure that this important task doesn’t get lost in the shuffle of everyday life!

Clean Regularly

Cleanliness is key to dock maintenance, as it protects the structural integrity of the platform. A regular cleaning process should include a power wash of the entire surface of the dock, as well as any equipment that may be in the water such as ladders and railings. The pressure from the power washer should be limited to 500 psi or less for wood docks to avoid damage or unnecessary wear and tear on the material. During this time, it is also a good idea to look over all the nooks and crannies of the structure for any areas that need repair or replacement. Any boards that are rotting, showing signs of warping or have excessive splinters should be replaced immediately to prevent injuries and safety hazards.

Inspecting the structure for rust and algae growth is also important. These elements can cause serious damage to the dock if left unchecked, especially for structures made from metal or composite materials. Using soap or specialized rust treatment chemicals can help reduce these effects and protect the dock from future deterioration.

Other important aspects to inspect regularly include checking that cleats, ropes and utility lines are secure and in working order. Performing this check daily can prevent damage and injuries that may occur during the course of the week. Finally, it is also a good idea to ensure that fire safety measures are in place and functioning properly, such as making sure the fire suppression system is able to respond appropriately to a fire.

Performing these routine inspections and cleanings can greatly extend the life of your dock, as it will be able to resist the effects of the weather and marine debris for longer. It can also catch any minor problems before they escalate into major issues that could cause the dock to become unsafe for use or even collapse. A few hours spent examining the structure and making small repairs can have a big impact on how long your dock lasts, so don’t hesitate to get started!

Replace Old Hardware

A dock’s edges, railings and pilings are its first line of defense against boaters, sun, wind and waves. But over time, even treated wood degrades and begins to rot. Replacing rotting sections of dock with new lumber and repairing damaged hardware is an important part of dock maintenance.

It’s also a good idea to replace any rusted bolts or screws on a dock, as well as rust spots. This prevents water from seeping under the dock and causing damage. Depending on the type of rust, some problem areas may be able to be treated with white vinegar or other home remedies. For the most severe stains, however, professional products might be needed.

The best way to ensure that docks stay up to snuff is through a schedule of routine inspections and cleanings. This doesn’t have to be anything more complicated than putting an alert on your phone or calendar to inspect the dock every other week or so, checking for loose boards, rotting nails and screws, and other structural problems. If you make the inspection a regular activity, you’re less likely to lose track of it as life gets busy.

In addition to a routine inspection schedule, some dock suppliers are offering tools that collect data on usage levels at docks. This data, analyzed by a computer program like Rite-Hite’s Opti-Vu, provides information that could help companies decide on better maintenance schedules and avoid downtime. For example, a dock that services 20 trucks a day has a different maintenance profile than one that serves fewer truckloads, explains 4Front’s Schlesinger.

Another key aspect of routine dock maintenance is the removal of marine debris. Whether it’s submerged pilings, tree limbs or piles of rip rap, marine debris is a hazard to swimmers and can cause injuries if someone dives into a dock, or it could get tangled in a boat propeller. It’s generally a good idea to hire certified divers at least once a year to do a bottom survey of a dock system.

In the end, the best way to keep a dock in prime condition is through regular inspections, cleanings and replacement of worn or damaged components. By making these a regular part of your waterbody’s maintenance plan, you’ll not only protect the dock’s longevity and value but you’ll also give your lake or community pond’s residents access to it for years to come.

Repair Damaged Supports

When a dock is damaged, it’s important to repair it as quickly as possible. Even if the damage is minor, it will worsen with continued exposure to water. Loose boards or rusty hardware should be replaced before they are pulled loose by the pounding of boats and wind, and rotten wood must be removed before it decays further. Leaving these issues unattended will result in expensive repairs later.

If you are unsure about how to repair dock issues, consult an expert. They can help you understand the problems, find solutions and prevent future problems. Dock experts will also have the knowledge to advise on what type of repair is needed depending on the use level of the dock. For example, a dock that serves 20 trucks a day will have different maintenance needs than a smaller dock that only handles a few truckloads of goods each day.

Wood docks require frequent cleaning and sealing to protect them from moisture, sun damage and temperature changes. It’s important to use a waterproof product designed for marine environments that is formulated with low volatile organic compounds. These products are also available in environmentally safe options for those who want to clean their dock using an environmentally friendly solution.

For those looking for a long-lasting, durable alternative to wood, composite docks are a great choice. These materials are not prone to the same wear and tear as traditional wood, and they resist moisture, sun and temperature changes better than timber pilings. For those who are looking to add more than just a water view, consider adding lighting to your dock. These lights will create a beautiful ambiance and can also attract marine life to your property.

Docks are vital assets to any business, but they’re often taken for granted. Poorly-maintained docks can lead to costly repairs and disrupt the flow of products in and out of a facility. This can cause lost productivity and money, as well as increased energy costs. With proper dock maintenance, however, companies can keep their docks running smoothly and efficiently year-round.