Dust, pollen, pet dander, mildew, and other debris can accumulate in ductwork over time. Cleaning ducts regularly removes these harmful contaminants and helps reduce allergies and respiratory problems.
In addition, rodent droppings, dead critters, and foul odors can cause unpleasant smells that don’t go away even after opening windows or using air fresheners. Clean ducts help get rid of these odors as well. Contact Duct Cleaning Salt Lake City now!
If anyone in your home suffers from respiratory health issues, autoimmune disorders, or allergies, dirty ducts can cause their symptoms to worsen. Dust, fungus, biological microorganisms, and pet dander can accumulate inside clogged ducts and circulate throughout your home each time your air conditioning and heating system runs. This contamination reduces indoor air quality, making breathing difficult for people with allergies.
Besides allergies, dirty ducts can lead to breathing problems in people with asthma and other pulmonary illnesses. People without respiratory problems can also develop these symptoms when exposed to contaminated indoor air. If you notice your allergy or asthma symptoms worsening at home but not while you’re away, it might be time for a professional duct cleaning.
Ducts that aren’t cleaned regularly can breed a variety of things like mold and mildew. These substances can irritate your skin and cause itching and other allergic reactions. They can even aggravate rashes and hives. They can also cause breathing problems for those suffering from a skin condition known as eczema.
Fungus, bacteria, and viruses that grow in dirty ducts can also make your family sick. They can cause sinus infections, leading to coughing, sneezing, runny noses, headaches, and low-grade fevers. They can also lead to bronchitis, pneumonia, and other illnesses that affect the upper respiratory tract.
Dirty ducts can also trigger autoimmune conditions and allergies in healthy individuals. They can lead to a condition called “sick building syndrome,” which makes people feel unwell and tired, even when they’re at home.
If you have a clogged duct, contact a NADCA-certified company to clean it using source-removal techniques. They use special equipment to remove contaminated material and vacuum the entire ductwork system. They can then apply a disinfectant and seal the holes in your ducts to prevent further contamination. In addition to removing the contaminants, they can help you with other HVAC maintenance needs. To avoid causing more damage, never attempt to clean your ducts yourself. The best way to prevent a problem is to have your ducts cleaned by an experienced company.
Dirty ducts can trap stale smells and circulate them throughout the home whenever the HVAC system runs. Over time, this can lead to a musty odor and poor indoor air quality. Fortunately, thoroughly cleaning the ducts can eliminate these odors and restore good indoor air quality.
A duct cleaning company will use specialized tools to agitate the dust and debris that is found in a duct system. The agitation helps to break up the larger pieces of dirt and dust so that they can be sucked away more easily by a vacuum cleaner. After all the dust and debris have been loosened, the professional will use a truck-powered vacuum to suck up the particles from all accessible areas of the ductwork. This is typically the best way to ensure all ducts are cleaned thoroughly.
The duct cleaning process typically begins with the service provider examining the condition of the ductwork. This will often include looking at the ducts themselves and checking the condition of the vents and returns. Depending on the type of ductwork, this may also involve a visual inspection with a flashlight and mirrors to help see inside the ducts better.
Ducts are typically made of flexible tubing or rigid metal with section connectors. Flexion tube ducts can be damaged during duct cleaning, so it is usually best to use rigid metal ductwork whenever possible. Rigid ductwork also tends to have less damage during the duct cleaning process because there is little flexibility in the ducting itself.
If the ducts are causing an unpleasant odor, it could indicate that there is a dead animal trapped somewhere in the system. Mice and other small animals are known to chew through ducts, so it is not uncommon for them to die inside the system. If the odor is particularly rotten, it could indicate natural gas leaks in the ducts.
In addition to removing stale odors, a detailed duct cleaning can help with allergies and asthma. Air ducts are known to be breeding grounds for dust mites, mold, bacteria, and viruses, and these things can aggravate asthma and allergies when exposed to a person’s body over time. When a duct is cleaned, these harmful organisms will be removed, and the ducts can work effectively again.
It’s no secret that many people develop various health issues when exposed to mold. Those issues can range from respiratory to gastrointestinal, and they are unpleasant.
When mold starts growing in ductwork, it releases spores and mycotoxins into the air, circulating throughout the building. The result is a noticeable decline in indoor air quality, often leading to an unpleasant, earthy odor. Mold growth also weakens organic materials, such as wood and drywall. This can lead to structural damage and expensive repairs if left untreated.
If you suspect your ductwork is infested with mold, you need to call a professional duct cleaning company immediately. The professional will be able to determine the cause of the problem and address it, which will prevent the mold from returning. You should not attempt to clean your ducts yourself if you suspect mold in them, as it could be dangerous and damage your HVAC system.
Dirty ducts are also a breeding ground for rodents and insects. They can get into the ductwork through cracks and crevices; once they are there, they will leave droppings and chewed-up materials behind. In addition, they may even carry mites and fecal matter in their intestinal tracts. These materials will be released into the air when the ductwork is turned on, contaminating the indoor air.
Another sign of a dirty duct is visible signs of mold on the vents and grate or if the ducts have colored spotting or black, pink, or green growths. You can check your ducts by opening the vent grate and peering inside with a flashlight. It would be best if you also looked for evidence of moisture, such as condensation on the ductwork.
The most effective way to avoid dirty ducts is to change your filter and clean your air filters regularly. This will reduce the dust and debris blowing around your home and into the ductwork. You should also ensure that you have a clear path to the air handler and plenums, usually located next to your furnace. This will allow your duct cleaning technician to access the areas most likely contaminated with dirt and mold.
If you are finding that dust accumulates easily in your home, it may be time to get your ducts cleaned. Dirty ducts cause dust because the air that blows through them contains dust particles and other contaminants like mold and mildew, animal dander, cigarette smoke, spores, pollen, and even bits of decomposed pests. This mix gets blown back into the house and circulates throughout the home. When inhaled, these contaminants can lead to breathing difficulties for those with allergies or respiratory conditions.
Dirty ducts also create an imbalance of moisture in the air, which encourages the growth of mold and mildew. When this happens, mold and mildew spores are blown into the house and circulated throughout it, contributing to sinusitis (an infection of the sinuses), hay fever, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
The fungi that grow in dirty ducts are dangerous because they can spread disease through the air, causing illnesses and infections such as eczema, rashes, and hives. Fungi and mildew can also trigger respiratory conditions like bronchitis and pneumonia.
Clogged ducts can also attract vermin and other pests with diseases in their droppings. If you notice a pest infestation in your home, you should have your ducts cleaned because it will ensure that the animals do not transfer their spores to your home’s air supply.
Duct cleaning is a complex process that requires advanced knowledge of HVAC systems and specialized tools. The best option is to find a reputable duct cleaning contractor that follows NADCA’s recommended procedure for air duct cleaning. It will not only improve the indoor air quality in your home but also reduce the risk of damage to the duct system and the ventilation system as a whole.
Air duct cleaning is a service that should be done every three to five years. The process will take three to five hours and can be performed by most qualified contractors following the NADCA’s recommendations. A professional duct cleaner will use a special vacuum with high-powered suction that can reach and clean all the dirt, debris, and dust accumulated inside your air ducts.
