Air Duct Cleaning can greatly impact your home’s indoor quality. The process starts with a pre-inspection of the ducts.

Dirty ducts can harbor pollutants like pet dander, mildew, and mold spores. They get pulled into the HVAC system and recirculated throughout your home, irritating respiratory problems and increasing dust accumulation.

Allergens that circulate through your air ducts cause various allergy warning signs in family members such as sneezing, coughing, and sinus or bronchial congestion. Those with chronic allergies, respiratory issues, or asthma experience worse symptoms as a result of breathing in the impurities. Having your air ducts cleaned can decrease the amount of allergens in your home and help alleviate allergy symptoms in your family members.

Allergies caused by dust, mold spores, pet dander and fur, secondhand smoke, and other particles can all be found in your air ducts. These allergens can be blown around the house whenever your air conditioner or heater runs. Having your air ducts cleaned by an experienced professional company can significantly lower the allergens in your home, alleviating allergy warning signs and symptoms.

While HVAC filters can trap some of these allergens, they can’t catch all of them. The microscopic particles that cause the most severe allergy symptoms are so small, they pass right through them. Air duct cleaning can dramatically reduce the number of allergens in your home and improve your family’s allergy symptoms.

As the weather gets warmer, pollen and other allergens start to resurface. These allergens can enter your home through open doors and windows, or they can be tracked in on people’s shoes or clothing. Your air conditioning and heating system then blows these allergens all over your house, which can make it hard for family members to breathe. Having your air ducts cleaned during this season can significantly reduce the number of allergens in your house and help to alleviate allergy symptoms in your children and family members.

When searching for an air duct cleaning company, it’s important to choose a qualified professional with years of experience and excellent customer reviews. You should also check for certifications and licensing. Avoid companies that advertise “$69 whole-house specials,” as they may only be able to clean what is visible to the homeowner and may not fully clean your air ducts. A professional company will perform a thorough inspection of your ductwork and will be able to recommend the best course of action for your specific needs.

Stale Smells

If you’ve ever noticed a musty or foul smell when you turn on your air conditioning unit it may be a sign that the ducts need cleaning. Dirty ducts can harbor bad odors and circulate them throughout your house. If the smells are especially strong, you should consider hiring a professional.

Ducts are a great breeding ground for bacteria, mold and other organisms that can wreak havoc on your home. The smell of mold is often very noticeable and can trigger allergies and asthma. This can also be a serious health risk for young children, seniors and pets. Mold spores can also cause breathing problems, irritated sinuses, coughing and wheezing.

Animal dander from pets that shed can also collect in your ducts and circulate through the home. If you have a pet with this problem it’s a good idea to get the ducts cleaned to avoid allergic reactions. Also, if your home has been damaged by fire or water it’s wise to get the ducts cleaned so that mold growth doesn’t continue to circulate through your house.

Foul odors in a home can be caused by many things including smoking, household cleaning agents, paint fumes and food preparation. If these odors are sucked into the ductwork and then recirculated through the home they can become very strong.

A professional can perform a thorough inspection of the ductwork and determine which cleaning technique would be best in your situation. Make sure that you have cleared space around the HVAC system and all of your vents before the technician arrives. They’ll probably need to move furniture or relocate some items in order to access your vents.

If you decide to clean the ducts yourself, make sure you’re using a vacuum cleaner with a high-powered attachment. It’s also a good idea to have a can of deodorizer handy to help eliminate any bad odors as you work. You can also try placing a bowl of baking soda inside each vent to absorb any odors. Just be sure to swap out the bowl regularly for a fresh one.

Health Issues

People who suffer from things like asthma and allergies tend to experience major reactions when air ducts are dirty. This is because those ducts breed stuff like dust, pollen, mildew, and mold spores, which can all cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, sinuses, and lungs. The problem is worse for those who already have respiratory issues, and a periodic cleaning can help keep those symptoms under control.

Dirty ducts also serve as breeding grounds for pests, including rodents and insects. When they die, their droppings can become dispersed into the air through those same ducts. Those germs can then be spread throughout the home, where they can irritate your family’s eyes, throat, sinuses, and bronchial tubes.

In addition to these particles, dirty ducts often contain harmful contaminants and microorganisms such as pet dander, bacteria, fungus, and viruses. These can exacerbate or even cause sinus infections, allergies, fatigue, weakness, and illness.

You can’t just open up the vents and ductwork and wipe them down, either. You need special tools and equipment, which is why it’s so important to have those ducts cleaned by a qualified technician.

If you do choose to have your ducts cleaned, it’s best to schedule the appointment during a time when you’re not at work or taking care of your children. The duct cleaners will make some noise, and they need to visit all of the rooms in your house. That’s why you should move any furniture that might be in their path, and you should make sure that your kids’ beds aren’t directly underneath the vents.

It’s also helpful to clear a pathway for the technicians so that they don’t run into things like your rugs or appliances. Finally, you should be prepared to show the duct cleaners all the vents in your home and direct them to your HVAC equipment. If you have an attic or basement, you may need to clear a way to that area as well. If you have pets, make sure they’re in a crate or at daycare that day, as they may be scared by the loud noise and the duct cleaners’ movements.

Efficiency

Most homeowners rely on their HVAC systems to keep their homes at a comfortable temperature. They also use these systems to conserve energy, which requires efficient airflow. As the air passes through ductwork, it often carries dust, pollutants and other contaminants. This debris can then build up over time, restricting air flow. Dirty ducts can even increase the amount of dust on household surfaces. This contaminant can then be circulated around the home, affecting indoor air quality. Regular cleaning of your ducts can prevent these problems and improve air quality in your home.

It’s hard to know when your ducts need cleaning, but there are a few environmental indicators you can look for. You can start by doing a visual inspection of your vents and registers. A large amount of dust may indicate that it’s time for a cleaning. A musty odor can also signal that a problem is present.

Professionals who offer duct cleaning use a variety of methods to clean your ductwork. However, the most effective method is to use negative pressure and a vacuum system to clean the ducts thoroughly. This will remove the majority of dust and contaminant build-up, ensuring that it is not recirculated throughout your house.

In addition, professionals will use specialized tools to dislodge the contaminant from the inside of your ducts. They will then use a high-powered vacuum to suck it out of the ducts and vents. They can also offer duct sanitization, which involves adding chemical biocides to the ductwork to kill germs and mold spores. However, this practice is controversial and should only be used after the ducts are properly cleaned.

A thorough duct cleaning can be expensive, but it is well worth the investment in your indoor air quality. It can also help you save money on your heating and cooling bills. Taking simple maintenance steps can also extend the life of your ductwork and help reduce the need for future repairs or replacements.