Air Duct Cleaning Utah is a safe, effective way to improve indoor air quality. While it won’t eliminate dusting from your chore list, it can help alleviate symptoms of allergies and asthma.
Schedule your duct cleaning for a time when you can clear access to your vents, including the return and the furnace fan. Your technician will make some noise and need to open your doors frequently.
Allergens can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and breathing issues. The best way to manage allergies is to eliminate as many allergens as possible from the home. However, this can be difficult to do without professional help. Fortunately, air duct cleaning can significantly reduce the amount of allergens in your home.
Allergies can be triggered by many different substances, including dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and bacteria. Dirty ducts can harbor these allergens and then blow them into living spaces when the HVAC system is on. These allergens can then trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals, causing symptoms such as sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, running nose, and wheezing.
A dirty duct system can also increase your risk of asthma and respiratory infections. This is because dust, dirt, and other allergens can build up in the ducts over time and be released into the air when the HVAC system is on. These allergens then circulate throughout the house and can trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory problems in people with respiratory conditions such as asthma or auto-immune diseases.
There are many ways to minimize the amount of allergens in your home, such as using high-quality air filters with a higher Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), keeping doors and windows closed during pollen season, and grooming pets regularly to minimize dander. However, these measures are only effective if they are consistently followed. In addition, air ducts can accumulate dust and other particles over time, making them even more difficult to clean.
During a duct cleaning, an air purifier can be used to capture any allergens that are released during the process and prevent them from being recirculated into living spaces. In addition, homeowners can take steps to prevent the accumulation of allergens in their ductwork by regularly cleaning surfaces, using HEPA vacuums, and replacing air filters on schedule. Lastly, choosing a reputable air duct cleaning company that follows proper containment and vacuuming procedures is essential to avoiding the release of allergens into living spaces.
Dust
Dust accumulates on the walls of air vents, and this dust blows into homes during operation of the heating/cooling system. In some homes, dust can build up to the point that it causes a decrease in air flow and a musty smell. A professional cleaning should remove this dust, leaving squeaky clean vent walls. A dusty home can also contain dangerous toxins such as lead from old paint and gasoline, carcinogenic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and endocrine disrupting chemicals found in vinyl flooring and some plastics.
If you have recently resolved an insect infestation in your home, air duct cleaning may not be necessary, though you should still have your ducts inspected for rodent droppings and other signs of a rodent problem. If you suspect that you have a rodent problem, call an exterminator right away.
The best time for air duct cleaning is in the summer when the weather is dry. However, a good air duct cleaner can perform the job in the winter too if you are concerned about mold growth. Duct cleaning can cause some mess, especially if the air handler or plenums are located in an attic or basement. A reputable contractor should make sure that the area is clear and cover vents and registers prior to beginning the cleaning process.
When hiring an air duct cleaner, make sure they follow the NADCA standards. These guidelines include limiting the use of agitation tools and using only powerful HEPA vacuum equipment that exhausts outside of your home. If a duct cleaning company is not following the standards, they can spread contaminants throughout your house, including the areas that were not cleaned.
Some duct cleaners claim that they must apply chemical biocides to the interior of the air ducts to kill bacteria, fungi, and mold and prevent future biological growth. Research has not validated this practice, and the application of these products while occupants are present can increase health risks.
If you choose to hire a duct cleaner, ask them to provide proof of insurance in case they are injured or damage your ductwork during cleaning. Additionally, ask them to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and to seal your ducts before they start the cleaning process. This will help prevent dust from becoming airborne and spreading throughout your home during the cleaning process.
Mold
Mold grows in the warm and moist conditions of ductwork. When mold spores are circulated by your ductwork they can be dispersed throughout the house and cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. A mold problem in your ducts is one of the most serious reasons for having your ductwork cleaned. Mold is difficult to remove from ducts and can contaminate the air that is blown through them. Mold can also deteriorate the metal components of your heating and cooling system and lead to premature wear and tear.
If the mold problem is bad enough a professional may recommend that a biocide (fungicide) be applied to the interior surfaces of your ductwork. If this is done it should be performed by a licensed pest control company that is knowledgeable in the use of these products and will follow all label directions. The product should be applied only in areas that are not occupied and as a safety precaution you and your family should leave the home while the biocide is being applied.
Signs of a possible mold problem in your ductwork include a musty or stale odor in the home and/or an earthy, musty smell that becomes stronger when the air conditioning is running. You should also look for a greenish or blackish substance on the inside of your vents, especially the ones that are in the attic or closet. A professional can confirm whether a substance is mold or just a fungus by sending it to a lab for testing.
Symptoms of mold exposure can include a runny nose, itchy eyes and skin, asthma attacks, coughing, wheezing, and fatigue. The best way to avoid a serious mold problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Having your air ducts cleaned regularly is one of the best ways to do this. Other allergens like pet dander, dust mites, tobacco smoke, VOC’s and microbial volatile organic compounds can also build up in your air ducts and need to be removed to improve indoor air quality. Be sure to find out if the company you are considering hiring uses a positive pressure ventilation system during cleaning which will ensure that the mold is contained and does not get spread around the house.
Smoke
Smoke infiltrates air ducts and can cause damage. Smoke is comprised of solid and liquid particulates, as well as gases. It is created through the incomplete combustion of carbon-based materials like wood, tobacco, and paper products. The invisible particulate smoke can travel deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems like aggravated asthma, bronchitis, and lung damage. Visible dust and odours can also cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as headaches and fatigue.
If you’re a smoker, it’s important to have your air ducts cleaned regularly to reduce your exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic pollutants. You should also be careful about where you sit and what kind of furniture you have in your home. If possible, avoid placing upholstered furniture and draperies over vents or near heat sources, as these will trap in the smoke.
When hiring a professional, be sure to ask about their experience. Look for references from previous customers and check to see if they are licensed and insured. Avoid advertisements for “$99 whole house specials.” You should also make sure to hire a company with equipment that can thoroughly clean and visually inspect your entire system.
After a fire, your air ducts can become coated in a variety of substances, including mold, bacteria, and toxic chemicals. These contaminants can filter through your home and affect the health of your family. If these contaminants are not properly treated and removed, they can cause long-term damage to the structure of your home and furnishings.
When your duct cleaner arrives, it’s important to be home to greet them and let them know which parts of your home they should work on. This will help them give you the best results. You should be prepared to show them around your home and point out all of the vents and HVAC equipment that need cleaning. You should also be ready to answer any questions that they may have. Be aware that you may hear some noise while the duct cleaner is working. This is normal as they use mechanical brushes to clean the inside of your ductwork.