The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning
Air Duct Cleaning Salt Lake City removes the stale odors of paint fumes, tobacco smoke, mildew, and food. In addition, rodent droppings and decomposing critters trapped in dirty ducts can create unpleasant smells.
When your NADCA-certified technician arrives to clean your vents, they will first cover each supply and return register to maximize the negative pressure in the duct system. Then, they will begin agitating and vacuuming each duct one by one.
Air ducts in your home carry dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and many other allergens. When they are blown around your house by your HVAC system, these toxins affect your family members with allergies. They can cause sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and other allergy symptoms.
Dirty air ducts collect these allergens and then blow them around your house with every use of your HVAC system. Moreover, these contaminants may not be easily removed by regular cleaning methods. Moreover, your HVAC system can pull in pollutants from outside through open windows and doors or from inside your house through wall outlets, light fixtures, plumbing penetrations in walls/ceilings, door framing, fireplaces, and other locations.
If you have recently moved into a new house or renovated your old one, chances are the air ducts needed to be cleaned by the previous occupants. Therefore, they probably have accumulated several inches of skin dust, hair, pet dander, and other debris. This is why you should have your ducts cleaned before using the heating or cooling system for the first time.
Allergies occur when your immune system releases antibodies to fight against something it perceives as a threat, such as harmful particles or chemicals. Generally, these reactions can lead to a runny nose, itchy eyes, sinus congestion, sneezing, and itching.
Most allergic reactions result from breathing in these substances, and they can trigger asthma and other respiratory problems. Consequently, if you have a sensitive respiratory system, you must ensure your ducts are clean, and an air duct cleaner is a good option.
During a duct cleaning procedure, the technician uses a specialized vacuum to remove these pollutants from the ducts and then sprays them with a disinfectant. This process effectively reduces the amount of allergens circulating in your home and can help alleviate allergy symptoms in your family members.
However, some allergists and immunologists argue that a direct link between cleaning air ducts and decreasing allergy symptoms isn’t established. So, it’s best to consider other factors causing your allergy symptoms before cleaning your air ducts.
Air duct cleaning reduces dust by keeping contaminated debris from blowing around your home. Dirty ducts can hold fine particulate contaminants like pet dander, dead skin cells, fungus, mildew, bacteria, rodent feces, and pollen. These pollutants can easily spread from room to room and settle on tables, smartphones, and children’s toys. If your ductwork is dirty, you’ll also need to clean or replace your air filters more often as they become clogged quickly with these contaminants.
These pollutants are pulled into the HVAC system and circulated five to seven times daily throughout the home. As they are recirculated, they can accumulate on surfaces and in the ductwork, especially in the supply and return vents. As the contaminants build up, the ductwork becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and molds. This can cause respiratory problems for young children, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems.
Regular air duct cleaning will keep these contaminants at bay and improve your family’sfamily’s health. It will also keep your home looking better and prevent stains from building up on your vent walls. While many homeowners may attempt to clean their ducts, the process is much more thorough when completed by a professional. A NADCA-certified professional will seal your supply and return vents to create negative pressure. Then, they will use various tools, including rotating brushes and compressed agitation air-whipping equipment, to dislodge the settled dust. A powerful vacuum removes the contaminated debris from your ductwork, leaving you a cleaner home.
Duct cleaning is also required when pest infestations occur in your home. Pests leave vermin dander, bacteria, and disease-causing microorganisms in their wake. Cleaning the ducts after a pest infestation will ensure these pathogens don’t spread to other areas of your home.
If you notice that a lot of dust is collecting on your home’s registers, it could be a sign that your ductwork needs to be cleaned. However, if you are diligent about changing your filter every quarter, that should be sufficient to keep the dust levels down.
The odors of food preparation, dead animals, house pets, and even smoking can be trapped in your home’s air ducts. These odors are circulated throughout the house and can linger long. A clean duct system can eliminate these unpleasant smells.
Cooking aromas and odors from cigarette smoke and cigars are often sucked into the air ducts and then circulated throughout the home. This can linger in the house for a long time and leave an unpleasant odor that will not go away. A clean duct system can remove these smells and prevent them from returning.
Rodents and other vermin frequently crawl into residential air ducts, leaving droppings and sometimes dying in them. When this happens, the foul decay odor can circulate throughout the house. Cleaning the ducts and killing any rodents in them will eliminate the odor.
Animal dander, fur, and hair can also get into air ducts, and the resulting odor can be spread throughout the house. An air duct cleaning will eliminate these bad smells and the harmful microorganisms they contain.
If you have a musty smell that will not go away, it could be that mold or mildew is growing in your ducts. This common problem in cooling systems can be caused by condensation or water build-up. It can be very difficult to locate and treat mold and mildew in ductwork, so having a professional air duct cleaner care for you is best.
There are other environmental indicators that you might need an air duct inspection, including unexplained symptoms and decreased indoor comfort. Call your local Stanley Steemer today to schedule a free inspection if you notice any of these signs. When planning your appointment, remember that the technicians will need to access the vents in your home. Please clear a path for them in your attic, basement, garage, or utility closet, and make sure that your family pets are crated or otherwise kept out of the way during the process.
Air duct cleaning professionals use tools to dislodge the dust, debris, and allergens in your vents and then vacuum them away with high-powered equipment. The process takes just a few hours, and you’ll immediately notice that your filters don’t need to be replaced as often as they once did. This saves you money and keeps your HVAC system running at peak efficiency.
Clogged filters can lead to overheating and other issues that negatively affect the performance of your furnace and heating/cooling system. Regularly cleaning your air ducts prevents dust and debris from building up on fans, coils, and motors. Taking this precautionary measure can also help extend the lifespan of your HVAC equipment by reducing strain on components.
Dirty ductwork can contribute to major health issues, especially for individuals who suffer from respiratory conditions like asthma, auto-immune disorders, and allergies. Regular duct cleaning can alleviate these problems and reduce headaches, fatigue, and irritated eyes, nose, and throat.
An experienced duct cleaner will thoroughly inspect your home’s ventilation system before beginning work. They’ll look for access points, assess the condition of your ductwork, and decide on the appropriate cleaning method. Then, they’ll move through your entire house to clean every vent. This includes the ductwork leading to your return and supply vents and the ducts inside your attic, basement, or garage.
Duct cleaning can be messy, so you’ll want to clear the way for the technicians before they arrive. Make an appointment when the kids are at school or napping. This will avoid disrupting their daily routines. Also, please arrange for someone to watch the kids or pets during the duct cleaning process so they don’t get disturbed.
Although it hasn’t been proven a medical treatment, many people have found that air duct cleaning makes them feel better. If you’re suffering from allergies or respiratory conditions, or if your home’s air quality needs improving, consider having your air ducts professionally cleaned by a NADCA member.