After the last hammer drops, dust can still lurk. Unfortunately, it can find its way into your HVAC system and clog filters.
No studies have shown that cleaning air ducts prevents health problems. Duct cleaning has also not been shown to reduce pollutants in homes. Visit https://www.allproutah.com/ for more information.
Allergens
Dirty ductwork traps allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and odor-causing chemicals. When these irritants circulate, they trigger and worsen allergy symptoms.
If a home renovation or remodeling project generates excessive dust, a thorough air duct cleaning should be considered. Construction activities like sanding drywall, cutting wood, and removing paint generate immense amounts of fine dust that get pulled into the HVAC system. Over time, this dust can cause permanent damage to the interior lining of the air ducts and cause mold, mildew, or other harmful contaminants to build up.
During an air duct cleaning, a certified professional uses tools to inspect the condition of the ductwork and its components. He or she will seal and protect all supply and return vents to prevent any dislodged debris from escaping the HVAC system into the home. Next, a technician uses controlled compressed air tools to agitate and loosen adhered material from the interior surface of the ducts. Then, a powerful vacuum collection unit draws the dislodged contaminants into a sealed and filtered chamber for removal from the home.
Following duct cleaning, the service technician may use a specialized sanitizing chemical to destroy any residual microbial growth and deodorize the ductwork. This is especially important for homes with visible signs of mold or those that have a persistent musty or stale smell.
Many homeowners experience temporary allergy flare-ups after an air duct cleaning. The reason for this is that the cleaning process itself can stir up the irritants in the ductwork, briefly making them airborne. Once they reach the living spaces, these irritants can settle on surfaces, furniture, and upholstery. In addition, they can be inhaled by family members and aggravate their allergies.
Dust
When contractors are sanding or painting, drilling into walls, or breaking down walls, they kick up dust and other pollutants that may settle in your air ducts. Then, when your heating and cooling system kicks on, it recirculates that dirty air throughout the entire home. Duct cleaning removes this dust and improves indoor air quality after renovations.
Some service providers may propose the application of a chemical biocide to the inside of your ductwork and other system components as a means of killing germs, controlling mold growth, or sealing air leaks. It is important to fully understand the pros and cons of such practices before permitting them.
During air duct cleaning, technicians use high-efficiency HEPA HVAC vacuums or rotary brush systems to physically remove the dirt from duct surfaces. This method avoids the use of harsh chemicals and prevents contaminants from getting trapped in a filter or returning to the airstream, leaving your home with a clean, fresh scent.
Technicians also inspect the ductwork using cameras and light to look for a variety of issues, including lint, rodent nests, and other signs of contamination. Based on their findings, they can recommend extra steps, such as a mold treatment or duct repair, if needed.
Using a negative pressure vacuum, technicians pull out the dislodged particles, then use specialized brushes, air whips, or rotary tools to loosen stubborn debris stuck to duct walls. They then vacuum up all of the remaining debris and sanitize the entire system with an antimicrobial spray. This treatment kills mold spores, controls odors, and prevents the spread of other microorganisms. Finally, technicians perform a post-inspection to ensure that no areas were missed and that the HVAC system is working properly.
Mold
During remodeling, new flooring, cabinetry, and paints release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cling to the interior surfaces of ductwork. Until they are cleaned, these contaminants continuously circulate throughout your home, contributing to poor indoor air quality and causing other health problems. Routine duct cleaning with negative air pressure can eliminate these contaminants and improve your indoor air quality after construction or renovations.
Dust, debris and drywall particles can hide in the corners of air vents, creating an ideal environment for mold to thrive. Once hidden, mold spores are recirculated throughout your home each time your HVAC system runs, contributing to respiratory problems and other health issues. Mold in your ducts also reduces HVAC efficiency, forcing your system to work harder and increasing energy bills.
Mold and other biological contamination can also grow in ducts that are made of bare sheet metal, or in ducts constructed with fiber glass duct board or lined with plastic. If your ducts are contaminated with substantial mold growth, pests or vermin, or have excessive dust accumulation, it’s important to find a qualified duct cleaner. Ask potential services providers to provide proof of their competence by demonstrating visible biological contamination, or asking for laboratory confirmation of biological growth before hiring them.
Be wary of any duct cleaning service that promotes the use of biocides to encapsulate biological contaminants. These chemicals can damage duct insulation, contribute to further biological contamination and are unsafe for human exposure. Ask for documentation that any biocide used in your ducts has been registered with your state’s pesticide department and will be applied according to label directions.
Reduced HVAC Efficiency
During a renovation, dust often ends up in the air ducts. Even if doors and windows are closed, this dust can float into open vents and shared air zones. This puts unnecessary strain on the HVAC system and decreases energy efficiency. It can also cause damage to the interiors of the ducts.
The good news is that a professional air duct cleaning can help. By removing this dirt, mold, and other contaminants, clean air ducts allow the HVAC system to work more efficiently and reduce energy consumption.
Homeowners often overlook the importance of maintaining the integrity of their air ducts, and this can have expensive consequences. Dirty ducts restrict airflow, forcing the heating and cooling system to work harder to move the same amount of air. This strain can increase utility bills and negatively impact indoor air quality. Duct cleaning is a cost-effective way to protect the investment in your home’s heating and cooling system by reducing energy costs, improving comfort, and ensuring optimal performance.
A qualified and experienced duct cleaner can inspect the condition of the interiors of ductwork components such as return and supply air vents, registers, diffusers, grilles, fan motor and housing, condensate drain pans, heat exchangers, and the furnace or air handler. During a duct cleaning, the technician may need to access these areas through openings in the ceiling or walls. If asbestos is present in these parts of the ductwork, the service provider must follow specialized procedures to ensure that the material is not disturbed and does not release toxic fumes into the living spaces.
Odor
When woodwork and cabinetry are installed, finished with stain or paint, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released as they cure. These odors can cling to duct surfaces and continue to circulate if not properly captured. Routine air duct cleaning removes these contaminants to protect your home’s indoor air quality, and also improves the performance of your HVAC system.
Dust and debris generated by the remodeling process can enter the ductwork through vents and registers, where it circulates throughout the home every time the HVAC system is turned on. This dust clings to furniture, floors and soft furnishings, and can even settle in the lungs of those with respiratory conditions.
Some service providers may tell you that your ducts are infested with mold and need to be treated with a chemical biocide or with an ozone generator to kill existing bacteria, fungi and mold and prevent future biological growth. If you decide to allow this, ask to see any alleged evidence of biological contamination and for laboratory confirmation. You should also fully understand the pros and cons of these products and their potential adverse health effects before agreeing to them.
While it is possible for ductwork to become contaminated with biological contaminants, it is much more common for them to be contaminated by dust and debris. Dirty ducts are not only inefficient; they can actually damage your HVAC equipment and contribute to premature failure of all its components. Inspecting a ductwork system before having it cleaned will help you determine whether it is really necessary. A professional duct cleaner will use negative-pressure vacuuming and brushing to remove visible dust and debris from the interior surfaces of your ductwork.