Do you know what health risks could be hiding in your ducts? Read on to find out why air duct cleaning is a must! Do you take the time to change the filter in your furnace every few months? You will probably go years before realizing you need to clean your air ducts.
Your home's ventilation ducts spread hot and cold air. Years of use can lead to ducts clogged with dirt, debris, and lint. This can become a serious problem for your home and health if not addressed quickly. Professional duct cleaning services remove waste from your ducts and ensure your family's safety. Even if there are no moving parts, ventilation ducts are still an important part of your heating and air conditioning system.
Odor Problem in Ventilation Ducts
If you detect bad smells when the ventilation turns on, it's a sign there is a problem. Visually inspect the basement and attic, observe if the smell is coming from there before jumping to conclusions. Odors of mold, dust, humidity, and vermin are the most common signs that it is time to perform a deep cleaning of your ducts.
Mold Growth Can Be Deadly
Everyone knows mold grows in dark, damp areas. You will find it in the basement or where there are water leaks. People don't realize mold can also grow in your ducts. The contact of hot and cold air creates moisture in ducts which are a breeding ground for mold. It can start in a small area, but the airflow carries mold spores throughout the ventilation system. What started as a small glitch quickly becomes a problem affecting the entire property. In addition to spreading spores in the ducts, the heating and cooling system expels them into the air. You and your family breathe these spores. This exposes you to respiratory problems. Some mold species cause not only respiratory problems but also more dangerous diseases that can lead to hospitalization and death. Clean your ducts regularly and put an end to this threat to your home.
Air Duct Cleaning Eliminates Dust
If you are anywhere in your home, you will probably see dust on a shelf or floating through sunbeams in front of a window. Dust starts. It is inevitable like death and taxes. You will take the time to dust the counter or even the top of ceiling fans, but you probably don't think about the ducts. Your air filters catch dust and other particles, but they can only do so much. Dust ends up in the ducts and, over time, settles on the surface. It can sit for months or years. When you turn on the furnace or central air, particles are blown into your home. Suddenly, the thin layer of dust on your mantel is three times thicker. Your family's allergies start to worsen and anyone with asthma refuses to enter the house. Dust and other particles are part of life. You can reduce their impact by changing your air filters and calling an air duct cleaning company. Dust in ducts should be taken seriously.
Rodents and Vermin Live in Ducts
This is not a big problem with residential ducts, but commercial ducts are known to have rodents like rats and mice living in them. Residential homeowners may notice mice in their ducts or even squirrels. This can be unhealthy for people's health. Animals can leave droppings in the ducts or even die in the ducts. Your house fills with a smell of decaying mice and droppings all day. While dead mice may be a rarity, their waste is not. It is common for them to drop feces in ducts. When the furnace heats them up and blows their aromas and particles throughout your home, you have all the ingredients for disease. Duct cleaning eliminates this risk. It prevents particles from settling on your food and areas of your home.
Other Pollutants Settle in Ducts
Do you have pets or was the previous owner of the house a smoker? Have you recently renovated your home? These can clog your ducts or make them bad. Pet dander and construction dust, such as drywall powder and wood dust, cause lung irritation. Cigar and cigarette smoke is sucked into ducts and transferred throughout the house, creating an odor problem. Smoke penetrates dust and debris in ducts. This makes the smell last much longer than smoking itself.
Dryer Lint Ducts Must Also Be Cleaned
Do you have a laundry room that feeds the dryer exhaust outside? Between the hose and the outside are ducts that must also be cleaned regularly. Over time, lint particles can accumulate, making air circulation more difficult. This can heat the inside of the ducts and make the lint flammable. Many houses have burned down because lint in a dryer duct caught fire. Do not risk losing your home or your life because of dirty laundry and ventilation ducts. The simple procedure can eliminate this risk and give you peace of mind.
Clogged Ducts Cost You Money
No one wants to spend more than they should, but heating and cooling bills increase year after year. Did you know your duct network could be costing you money? The key to furnace efficiency is free and unobstructed movement throughout the house. Years of dust and sediment in ducts can clog filters faster and cover vents. This forces your heater and air conditioner to work harder, consume more energy, and cost you money. It also causes excessive wear on the furnace and air conditioner. This causes them to deteriorate faster and shortens their life expectancy. Regular duct cleaning pays off over time. The total lifespan of your heating and cooling appliances worth several thousand dollars will last longer and need fewer annual repairs.
