Most of the dirt found in air ducts is largely stuck in duct surfaces, keeping out of the airspace. The good news is that it generally means it usually won’t make its way into the home. However, it can breed things that do over time, like mold.
Needless to say, cleaning them is still very much necessary. Especially since combining them with pollutants entering the home from activities both indoors and outdoors can lead to issues in the long run. It should be noted that insulated air ducts that get moldy or wet shouldn’t even be considered for cleaning. Those need to be replaced as soon as possible.
Air Duct Cleaning
Basically, the term is used to refer to various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems being cleaned out. This includes:
- Cooling coils
- Diffusers
- Drip pans (also known as condensate drain pans)
- Fan housing
- Fan motors
- Grills
- Heat exchangers
- Heating coils
- Return and supply air ducts and registers
- Unit housing
In order for these components to perform as intended and not release contaminants into the indoor environment, they must be properly installed, maintained, and operated. Otherwise, it can lead to mold, pollen, debris and other intrusive things that will definitely make themselves known over time. It also affects the overall performance of the device in the long run.
All of that said, if any of these factors come up, it’s likely time for your home’s air ducts to be cleaned:
- Excessively clogged ducts – Sometimes, the dust in air ducts is just too much. It’s worse when compounded with debris. Particles will end up being released from the supply registers and right into the home, posing a health risk over time. If someone has allergies like asthma, this is especially precarious.
- Mold growth that’s substantially blatant – This is specific to the hard surface (sheet metal, for example) ducts’ insides. It could also be other components of the whole heating and cooling system. Bear in mind that a casual inspection visually won’t be possible for a number of sections. Be sure to ask the service providers to show you mold they claim to find.
Bear in mind that only an expert can really tell whether or not something is mold; there’s a slim chance that even if it looks like it, it could be something else. Certain microbiology labs can identify whether a sample on clear sticky tape is mold or a lookalike substance for a fee.
- Vermin infestation – This one is self-explanatory; if there are insects like cockroaches or rodents like mice in your ducts, that has to be addressed immediately. The last thing you want is dead insects or rodent droppings corrupting your ducts and affecting human health in the long run through permeating germs in the air.
Conclusion
The air ducts of a home play a crucial role in temperature control indoors as well the comfort level of everyone living in the space. Air duct cleaning goes a long way in making sure things run smoothly, involving factors such as coils and even unit housing. It’s time to clean if ducts are excessively clogged, mold growth is blatant and there’s vermin infesting them.
Looking for indoor air quality consultants? Reach out to Environmental Mold LLC today! We’re a leading full-service consulting firm that specializes in indoor air quality and mold.