If you or a family member has respiratory health issues like asthma, cleaning your home’s ductwork may seem like an intuitive solution.
You can tell if you need to have your ducts cleaned by doing a visual inspection of the vents and air registers. Look for a musty odor or large deposits of dust. Check out more at duct cleaning Coquitlam.
Debris Buildup
Dust, pollen, pet dander, chemicals and other pollutants get generated throughout the home and are pulled into the ductwork system. They are then recirculated five to seven times a day, causing them to build up over time.
Duct cleaning can remove this debris from the ducts and vents, significantly improving air flow. A sign that a cleaning is due is when there are significant dust levels visible on or near the vents themselves, or when there are puffs of dust floating down from them.
Other reasons for a duct cleaning include moving into a new home, recent renovations or pest infestations. If rodents, birds or insects have made their way into the ductwork they will need to be trapped and removed before the ducts can be cleaned. This will also prevent any contaminants from being pushed back into the living space. This step is usually included in a thorough cleaning service. It is critical to hire a certified contractor that will follow NADCA guidelines for inspections and cleanings.
Smells
Whether it’s the lingering smell of pet odors, mildew, or garbage, duct cleaning chemicals can eliminate these smells from the air. If odors are causing health complications, such as breathing difficulties, it’s time to have those ducts cleaned.
If your ducts emit a musty smell, it’s usually because of mold or mildew accumulation. Mold releases spores that circulate throughout your home and cause respiratory problems. Alternatively, a rotten egg odor may indicate a natural gas leak that only an experienced professional can fix.
Once the ducts are cleaned, a variety of chemicals can be applied to prevent future buildup. These include sanitizers, disinfectants and odor eliminators. These chemicals typically have strong odors, so it’s best that family members and pets leave the house while they’re being applied. They’re also used to coat ductwork and protect them from future contaminants. This protects your investment in a clean, healthy indoor environment. A quality duct cleaning company will apply these chemicals as part of the duct cleaning process.
Health Concerns
Dirty air ducts are often the breeding ground for mildew, mold, bacteria and fungus. These contaminants can easily become airborne, circulating throughout your home every time the HVAC system operates. Exposure to these pollutants can cause a wide range of health issues from itchy skin rashes and allergies to asthma and other respiratory problems.
If you have recently moved into a new home or undergone a major renovation it’s important to thoroughly inspect and clean your ductwork to ensure there are no rodent droppings, insect nesting sites or other debris. Also, if there is evidence of water or fire damage the ducts should be cleaned to prevent contamination of the HVAC system components.
While duct cleaning has been shown to improve indoor air quality, no studies have yet conclusively proven that it prevents health problems. Furthermore, if the conditions that contributed to a build-up of dust or other contaminants in the first place are not addressed, the problem will likely recur.
Efficiency
Just like other surfaces in the home, air ducts can become dirty and dusty with microbial growth and other contaminants. This happens because contaminated indoor air is pulled into the HVAC system and continuously recirculated through the ducts an average of five to seven times a day. This recirculation causes contaminants to build up and can also cause different types of odors in the house.
A cleaning company will use specialized tools to dislodge contaminants from duct surfaces, then vacuum the interiors of ductwork and remove animal nests and other debris. A reputable company will follow the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) standard cleaning methods, including inspecting and cleaning registers, filters, ductwork, evaporator coils and fan motors.
While a duct cleaning service will help improve your home’s indoor air quality, it may not eliminate a musty smell or prevent mold unless there is a moisture problem that is addressed by fixing leaky return ducts or removing moisture-causing insulation. However, keeping your air filters regularly replaced will help control odors, mold and other pollutants in the house.