Over 40 pounds of dust collects inside air ducts each year. Unless cleaned, this dust continuously circulates throughout the home. It carries allergens like pet dander, pollen, powdery mildew and mold, chemicals and other harmful micro-organisms.
However, proper cleaning and regular maintenance of your ductwork can dramatically reduce these hazards. Reach out to Air Duct Cleaning Salt Lake City for expert assistance.
1. Airborne Particles
Dirty air ducts allow fine particulate contaminants to travel through them from room to room and space to space, irritating throats, eyes and sinuses and aggravating conditions such as asthma, allergies, respiratory ailments, headaches and other conditions. Air duct cleaning reduces these harmful inhalable particles to improve indoor air quality and health.
With the growing concern about indoor air quality and its effects on human health, many businesses have come into existence that focus on providing indoor environmental services. While most of these are reputable and provide effective services, others may have little to offer beyond technical jargon and will take advantage of the unsuspecting consumer.
Since heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems and associated ductwork are the sources of mold, fungi, bacteria and other microbial pollutants, and since secondary smoke and particulates such as dust mites, debris and dead rodents can also be found in ductwork, they should be cleaned as well as possible.
Air duct cleaning includes removing dust and debris, vacuuming inside ducts, and inspecting for damage, which can include water leaks or rust on heating and cooling components and inaccessible areas. The EPA recommends that homeowners should clean their vents, registers and return grates every three to five years. A thorough duct cleaning should also include the heat exchangers, cooling coils and drain pans of the HVAC system.
In addition to cleaning air ducts, home owners should regularly change their air filters, make sure all supply and return registers are open, remove pet hair from vents and other appliances, and seal off work areas during construction or renovation. This will help prevent airborne contaminants from entering the living area and contaminating the new ductwork.
Some duct cleaners use chemical biocides or other treatments to encapsulate or cover the inside surfaces of air ducts and equipment components. While these may appear to control mold growth, they may also harm delicate linings of lung tissue, and most tests on samples taken before and after treatments do not indicate that they are effective in improving indoor air quality. The EPA recommends that before permitting these chemical treatments to be used in a duct system, the system should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected for damage.
2. Dirty Filters
Your air ducts are an important part of your home’s ventilation system, taking in outside air and transferring it to inside living spaces. But your ducts also serve another purpose: they trap and hold dirt, allergens, bacteria and other contaminants.
Filters clog up with dust, lint and other debris, but the problem gets worse if you haven’t changed your filter in a long time. When your filter is dirty, it restricts air flow and makes your system work harder. This can cause it to overheat and wear out faster than usual.
If you’ve been noticing that your filter is getting dirty quickly, it’s a good idea to have your ducts cleaned. Dirty ducts can spread pollutants throughout your home, increasing the chances of rashes, eye irritation, sinus problems, asthma and allergy symptoms.
Air duct cleaning is a complicated process that involves advanced knowledge of HVAC systems and the use of specialized tools. It’s not something that you can do on your own, so be sure to hire a certified and insured company. Look for their certification with the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) on their website, or ask them to provide it to you. They should also be bonded and insured, which will protect you in the event of damage or injury during the cleaning process.
A qualified duct cleaner will typically clean all return and supply vents in your home, as well as the air handler and plenum. They may need to access areas of your home that aren’t normally open, so be sure to clear a path for them before they arrive. It’s also a good idea to show the technician where your vents are located so they don’t miss any.
You can help reduce the need for duct cleaning by keeping up with regular household cleaning, particularly dusting. It’s also helpful to change your filter regularly, as this will remove the majority of contaminated particles from your home before they get caught in your ductwork.
3. Pests
Rodents and insects are a common problem that affects the air quality of homes. They can cause damage to your HVAC system and present health hazards when they invade your home.
Insects like cockroaches and mice find their way inside the ventilation system, where they can contaminate the air with droppings and fecal spores. This can lead to asthma attacks and other respiratory conditions in people with allergic reactions.
These pests can also carry hantavirus, which can be transmitted to humans through inhaling rodent saliva, urine and droppings. Fortunately, a professional can clean and seal the ducts, as well as identify and address the entry points that are making it easy for rodents to gain access to the ductwork.
Duct cleaning eliminates the food source and nesting material that attracts pests and allows them to survive in the ventilation system. It also reduces the number of pests that can infest your building or home.
Regular duct cleaning also cuts off the nutrients that pests need for survival and prevents them from gaining access to a home or building, especially if they haven’t been exposed to any food source in a long time. This strategy can also be used to prevent insect infestations in other parts of a property, such as basements and wall voids.
In addition, securing the ductwork and its entry points can help prevent pests from invading the ventilation system. In fact, securing gaps and cracks in doors and windows is one of the best ways to keep insects away from the ductwork.
A stale, ammonia-like odor and skittering sounds are telltale signs of a rodent infestation. In addition, soiled and chewed ductwork, nesting materials and gnaw marks indicate that the infestation must be dealt with quickly to avoid costly repairs. Pest control experts have the tools, chemicals and rigor to fully remove rodents from the ductwork, disinfect the system, neutralize odors and prevent re-entry for healthy indoor air quality. In addition, they can install pest barriers for lasting protection. This will help to ensure the safety of people with allergic reactions or who are living with auto-immune disorders or respiratory conditions.
4. Mold
The ductwork of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system can harbor mold. If your home has experienced any water damage or the previous owner smoked it’s important to get your ductwork cleaned. Mold, fungus and bacteria can grow inside your ducts and be circulated throughout your house every time the furnace or AC turns on.
If you smell a musty odor, or if you see mold growing near vents, air returns or on filters, it’s a sign that your ductwork needs to be cleaned. A professional mold cleaning service should be used to ensure that all the spores are killed. After cleaning the ductwork, an EPA-approved mold inhibitor should be applied to prevent spores from regrowing.
Mold spores can cause many health problems. They may irritate the nose, eyes, throat and lungs. They can also trigger allergies, headaches, fatigue and other health issues. Black mold is especially hazardous and can affect the immune system. It grows in damp areas like bathrooms and basements. Inhaling black mold spores can cause breathing difficulties, coughing, nausea and fatigue. It can also cause skin rashes and itching.
There are over 1,000 types of mold spores that can grow in the air. Even if mold is not present, your air ducts could be contaminated with other allergens such as dust, pet dander, mildew, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), and microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC’s). Regular cleaning can help reduce these allergens in your home.
There are many benefits to having your air ducts cleaned. It can reduce the amount of particulates in your home. It can also reduce odors. Regular cleaning can also lower your energy costs. If you have asthma or a compromised immune system, it is especially important to have your air ducts cleaned regularly. It can help keep your family healthy and prevent illness. If you’re interested in getting your air ducts cleaned, contact us for more information. We use only the best products and equipment to provide you with a thorough, professional cleaning. We’ll make sure that your ductwork is clean and free of mold, allergens, and contaminants.