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.