Air Duct Cleaning removes harmful bacteria, pollen, fungus, mildew, pet dander and other contaminants that can trigger asthma or allergies. The cleaning process requires accessing the ductwork, which is usually near the furnace in the basement, garage, attic or utility closet.
Uncovered ducts can also pose a fire hazard. Regular cleaning helps prevent these risks while saving on energy costs and promoting healthier living. Contact All Pro Services now!
Allergies are your immune system’s way of fighting off things it perceives as a threat. When your body releases antibodies to combat those foreign particles, it triggers a variety of symptoms including watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and itching. Air duct cleaning can reduce the amount of allergens present in your home, enabling you to breathe easier and experience fewer allergy symptoms.
Allergens such as dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and pollen can collect inside your ductwork. Over time, they can circulate through your home when the HVAC system runs, causing them to enter your living spaces. Air ducts can be breeding grounds for these allergy-inducing substances, which is why it’s essential to get them cleaned regularly to prevent them from contaminating your indoor space.
Dirty ducts can also harbor bacteria and viruses, making your home environment more hazardous than it should be. These contaminants can aggravate existing allergies and lead to respiratory problems, resulting in a range of uncomfortable symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, itching, and fatigue. Air duct cleaning eliminates the accumulation of these pollutants, creating a cleaner environment and a healthier living space for you and your family.
Air duct cleaning removes a wide variety of allergens from your cooling and heating systems’ ductwork. These include mold spores, dust mites, animal dander, and other common allergens that can trigger asthma attacks and allergies. Air duct cleaning is an effective way of getting rid of these allergens, and it can significantly reduce the severity of your allergies.
The best way to determine if your air ducts need cleaning is by having them tested for the presence of allergens. A professional company like Zerorez will perform an allergy test and advise on the best course of action.
Allergies are a common problem, but they don’t have to be a constant source of discomfort for you and your family. Schedule an appointment for air duct cleaning today, and you’ll be well on your way to eliminating allergy symptoms and enjoying a comfortable home. Zerorez will also take care of other home improvements, so you can have a clean, healthy space year-round.
Dust
The long channels that carry heated or cooled air throughout the home’s interior, running through basements, crawl spaces and walls, can become blocked with soot, dust, mold, and animal waste. Cleaning these ducts can improve indoor air quality, and a thorough cleaning can eliminate a fire hazard as well.
A dirty ductwork system can recirculate contaminants for five to seven times a day, drawing in dust, dirt, bacteria, pet dander, hair, dead skin cells and tobacco smoke into the HVAC system. These particles can then be blown into rooms through the vents, where they can irritate lungs and trigger allergies and asthma symptoms.
A visual inspection of air vents and registers is a good place to start, looking for large deposits of dust or a musty smell that can indicate ductwork in need of cleaning. If anyone in the home suffers from indoor allergies or unexplained illnesses, a professional can perform a more in-depth inspection and determine whether ductwork is to blame.
While it’s generally not necessary to clean ductwork on a regular basis, it is a good idea to have them cleaned after any renovation or construction work. This is because the dust and debris that gets stirred up during these projects can settle in ductwork, reducing air flow and lowering indoor air quality.
Dirty ducts can also be caused by the failure to regularly change air filters. A dirty filter can clog up the ductwork, forcing the furnace to work harder, leading to more dust and allergens being blown into the home.
A professional duct cleaner can use negative pressure to clean ducts thoroughly, using brushes and vacuum attachments to remove contaminants from the interior of a ductwork system. They can also use a special tool to inspect a ductwork system for damage and obstructions. The best duct cleaning companies will be licensed and insured, and have plenty of experience in the industry. They’ll also be able to answer questions about air duct cleaning and what the results should look like. Some duct cleaning services offer chemical biocides and other treatments to encapsulate or seal ducts and equipment, which may help control microbiological contaminants. However, these methods haven’t been proven to be effective, and they should be avoided.
Odor
A dirty air duct system can harbor all kinds of unpleasant odors. These odors are then circulated throughout your home, as the air passes over dust, hair, pet dander and other material in your ductwork. This can cause the odors to saturate, causing them to be smelled by everyone in the house when the vents are turned on.
Odors can also be caused by mold, mildew and other contaminants that can form in the ductwork. These can release toxic vapors that can trigger respiratory issues and create a musty smell in the home. Air duct cleaning can help remove these odors and prevent them from circulating through the home.
It’s important to have air ducts cleaned prior to moving into a new home, as well as after any remodeling projects. This will reduce the number of allergens and other contaminants in the home and keep them from recirculating, which can exacerbate respiratory problems.
The most common cause of musty odors in an air duct system is a mold or mildew problem. These are caused by water or moisture in the ductwork that can create a damp environment for bacteria, fungus and mold to grow. These molds can then release musty odors into the air. Air duct cleaning is the best way to get rid of these musty odors.
Other causes of odors in an air duct system can include the use of tobacco products, cooking fumes and rotting food. These odors can linger in a home’s ductwork for a long period of time, especially if the ductwork hasn’t been cleaned in a while.
If the odor is very strong and reminiscent of sewage, it could indicate that there is a problem with your plumbing system. This could be a backed-up sewer line or a cracked pipe. If this is the case, you’ll need to have a plumber check the pipes and repair them if needed.
Mold
Air duct cleaning isn’t just about dirt and dust. Over time, aging ductwork can also harbor mold growth. When spores from this mold grow, they can clog filters and escape into the home. This poses a health risk to anyone in the house, especially people with allergies or respiratory illnesses.
Fortunately, there are some steps that homeowners can take to mitigate this problem. For example, limiting moisture can help prevent fungus and other mold from growing in air ducts. Regularly replacing air filters and avoiding overusing the HVAC system can keep moisture from building up in the ductwork. Using a dehumidifier in areas prone to moisture can also be helpful.
Visible signs of mold in your air ducts include discolored patches on vents and components like vent covers and registers. You might also notice a musty or earthy smell when the air conditioning or heating is turned on. If these symptoms persist, it’s a good idea to call for professional air duct cleaning.
Some companies may use a chemical biocide or sealant in an attempt to sanitize the ductwork and stop future mold growth. Although these products can be effective under certain circumstances, research shows that they’re not as safe and effective as thorough cleaning. In addition, these chemicals can release harmful toxins into the air, which could further aggravate allergy or asthma symptoms.
When using these sanitizers, make sure that the air conditioner or heater is off. Follow the directions on the product’s label carefully to avoid causing damage to the ducts and causing further irritation. Alternatively, you can mix together equal parts of bleach or vinegar to form a solution and apply it to visible mold on accessible duct surfaces. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it clean and then rinsing with water.
While there are many DIY solutions to addressing mold in the home, most experts agree that it’s best to leave the task to a professional. These professionals will be able to thoroughly inspect and clean all of the ductwork in your home, removing any traces of mold while also addressing hidden moisture problems.