There are two schools of thought when it comes to duct cleaning. One says that it is unnecessary because no scientific proof is available that dirty air ducts can cause allergies. While the other says that the ducts are a part of your home. When the cleanliness of the home is of paramount importance, so is the air ducts’ cleanliness.
Does Air Duct Cleaning Lessen Allergies?
To answer this question, let us look at a scenario. When you blow the dust off any surface, it becomes airborne and later settles on other surfaces. Breathing in the air laden with dust will result in a sneezing or coughing fit. It can also cause watery eyes.
Dust is just a small part of the problem. In a home, there can be other allergens like mold spores, dander, pollen, smoke, etc. A large part of these settle in the air ducts. Over time, their buildup becomes considerable. So much so that it would be normal to assume that the air passing through the ducts picks them up and recirculates them throughout the house. Consequently, the air quality deteriorates indoors and increases the chances of allergic reactions.
Keeping the air ducts clean reduces the chances of the allergens becoming a part of the indoor air. Essentially speaking, air duct cleaning is a proactive action that ensures the goodness of indoor air quality and, in turn, its occupants’ good health. According to the experts, it is a move that speaks of “ good sense.”
Visual Signs That Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning
Some signs of dirty air ducts are visible to the naked eye. If you see any of these, duct cleaning may be necessary.
1. Signs Of Mold – Mold thrives wherever there are warmth and moisture. Air ducts provide the most favorable settings for mold to exist and flourish. The passing air picks up the mold spores and spreads it far and wide with the circulating air. So, if you notice a black powder-like substance around the air vents, you need to take stock of the situation. Some types of mold can make you fall gravely ill. Therefore, the first chance you come across mold growth, call the duct cleaners to check the extent of its invasion in the ducts. Subsequently, it may need to get tested to know the type and follow the correct cleaning process.
2. Considerable Dust Around The Vents – Another sign of filthy ducts is dust accumulation around the air vents. When the ducts are grimy, the passing air agitates its molecules and spreads them everywhere. Mostly, you will notice its excessive buildup around the vents. But that does not mean that is the extent of its spread. Depending on the size of the particles, it can spread all over the house. Breathing in dust-laden air will cause allergic reactions to those who are sensitive to it.
3. Dirty Surfaces Despite Regular Cleaning – Despite keeping your house clean with regular sweeping and dusting, there is always dust on surfaces. It happens because the air blowing from the vents carries the dust and grime indoors, from the ducts. It settles on the various surfaces and gives you otherwise clean home the appearance of being dirty.
Questions To Ask If There Are No Visual Signs
Visual signs of dirty air ducts are not always there to point in the correct direction. Sometimes you have to play the game of 20 questions to identify the problem. Okay, so in this case, maybe 20 questions is too many. You can just do with these few:
1. Have you ever got the ducts in your home cleaned, especially if it is more than 10 years old? If your answer is “No,” your ducts are definitely a threat to your good health.
2. Do you or any family member experience allergy-like symptoms whenever the home’ heating and cooling system is switched on? If “Yes,” duct cleaning is the call of the time.
3. Is there an offensive odor in your house that is just not going away? If “Yes,” duct cleaning may become your saving grace.
Frequency Of Duct Cleaning
Ducts don’t need to be cleaned frequently. Cleaning them once in 5 years is good enough. However, if you live in an area where dust is always present in the air, you may need to do it more often. Even then, they need not be cleaned every year, more like once every 3 years.
Duct Cleaning Is A Job For Professionals
Duct cleaning is not a DIY activity because it’s impossible to clean the ducts with regular household equipment. At best, you can clean them superficially, but that will not help eliminate the allergens inside.
To clean the ducts properly, your only option is to use a professional duct cleaning service. Since they are professionals, they have industrial-grade equipment to carry out a thorough job. With their help, your ducts will become clean and free of all accumulations. It means that now there is a negligent chance of allergens invading your indoor space.
Duct Cleaning Takes Time
If you thought duct cleaning would be done and over with, in just a few minutes, you are wrong. The ductwork runs far and deep in the house. Reaching every nook and cranny is tricky and takes time. Hence, the entire activity takes 3 to 5 hours, depending on how long the ductwork is and its ease of accessibility.
Closing Words
The indoor allergens are mostly airborne. Usually, they spread through the air ducts. If you are desirous of improving the house’s air quality, the ducts, too, will have to be kept clean. The good thing is that the ducts don’t become dirty overnight. They take years to reach that level of filth where it starts pouring out or impacting the air you breathe. Cleaning the ducts once in 3 to 5 years will keep allergies at a minimum, and the family members hale and hearty.
You were wondering whether your West Palm Beach home’s ductwork needs cleaning? Wonder no more. Pick up the phone and call the air experts at Aztil Air Conditioning to inspect and access the situation for you. We are an HVAC company that aims to keep your home a safe haven even in these trying times. Your safety is our topmost priority; therefore, you can book an appointment with our technicians without any apprehensions. We are open 24/7, so anytime that suits you is convenient for us. Give a call now at +1-888-729-8452 to give your homes heating and cooling system some tender loving care.
