How to Keep Your Air Conditioning Ductwork Clean

Air ducts can collect debris, including mold, mildew, and dust. These pollutants are then dispersed throughout the house. If you notice that your allergies are getting worse or if you smell a bad odor, then it’s time to schedule a home cleaning.

Sheet metal ducts promote energy efficiency due to their durable and nearly completely rustproof. Flexible aluminum ducts are affordable and can be squeezed into tight spaces, but they are susceptible to pest damage.

Leaks

Leaks in ducts can cause the conditioned air to escape and this can reduce the efficiency of energy used in homes. Leaks are commonplace at the point where duct segments meet particularly at joints. These sections can loosen and break off as time passes due to age gravity, gravity, and other causes. Sealing these connections will help to keep air from leaking. However, it is best to hire a professional HVAC technician to carry out extensive repairs and to insulate your ducts.

You can identify indications of leaks in your ducts by conducting a visual inspection in your basement, attic, and crawlspaces, where the runs of ductwork are exposed. Find areas of ducts which are bent, crushed or kinked. This is a sign of the presence of a blockage that must be sealed. Feel along the joints and seams to see if they’re warm. Be aware of any whistling sound that occurs when the HVAC system is running. If you hear these sounds, duct leaks are likely to be present in the area.

Unexplained hot and cold spots are another indication of a leaky pipe. Since air leaks rob the HVAC system of its ability to cool or heat specific rooms, this could be the reason for these spaces to be difficult to keep at the same temperature.

The ductwork’s gaps can spread dust throughout the house, even when household activities aren’t changing. Dust mould spores, mites and other allergens can cause asthma and allergies in family members.

Leaking ducts can release toxic fumes and dust into the living area. Leaking ductwork for instance can expose your family members to fumes when you store pesticides or paint thinners in your basement. This is particularly dangerous for children or elderly people living in your home. A professional can install an indoor air quality monitor to detect these dangerous gases and alert you to their presence in the air.

High Humidity

In humid, hot climates such as Florida, air conditioning ducts sweat more than they ought to. This is a problem since the ducts that sweat are allowing excessive moisture into homes, which could cause a variety of issues, including the growth of mold and poor indoor air quality. There are a variety of things homeowners can do to decrease humidity and keep ductwork dry.

First, limit the amount of water that is used in your home. Reduce the amount of water you use for cooking, bathing and aquariums. In humid areas, homeowners should use a dehumidifier to make their home dryer.

It’s also important to periodically inspect the ductwork for signs of mold or other issues. Professionals should clean and seal ducts in the event of problems.

Another common problem with ductwork is leakage. It is usually caused by joints or seals that have been installed incorrectly which can cause cracks and gaps. This can be prevented by using premium metals and ensuring that all joints and connections are properly installed.

Air ducts can be found in various materials. Each kind has its own unique characteristics that affect the way they perform. Polyester air ducts are most affordable, however they have the shortest lifespan and are prone to being damaged by pests as well as the elements. Aluminum ducts are more expensive, but last longer and are more resistant to insects.

Airflow may be limited by objects like furniture, toys, and other objects. The blocked ducts can impact the airflow as well as the efficiency of your system’s energy usage.

The blocked ducts can also cause uneven cooling and heating in older buildings that have poorly designed ductwork.

If a homeowner suspects that they are suffering from a leakage or humidity issue, they should contact an experienced HVAC service. The professional will inspect the ductwork and provide recommendations for any repairs or replacements. It is crucial that the ductwork is easy to access, since this will affect the speed with which the technician can get to work and the overall cost of the project.

Mold

The warm and humid temperatures combine to cause mold to develop in air conditioning ducts. The moisture comes from condensation on the inside of the air ducts, which creates a humid environment in which the mold spores thrive. The spores are then distributed by your HVAC system throughout your home, causing allergy symptoms among household members.

The presence of mold around vents is a good indication that you should employ an expert HVAC for AC cleaning. Dust particles that are black can be a sign that mold is growing. If the area looks wet or slimy, then it’s a clear sign that there is a significant issue. A musty odor is another indication of mold.

Other signs of a mold issue in your air ducts could be tears or tears in the insulation, rips on the vent covers rodent droppings, cockroach shells. If the problem with mold is serious, you could observe decaying wood or sliding metal.

The most frequent type of mold that can be found in air ducts is Stachybotrys, which can produce toxic mold. It is typically found on wood and drywall surfaces, but it can also be found in the spaces between walls and rafters of your home. Stachybotrys can cause irritation of the eyes, allergies, nose and throat and respiratory issues.

The signs of mold in air ducts include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Children and the elderly can have more severe symptoms. Mold in air ducts can cause nausea, headaches and fatigue.

It is recommended that homeowners avoid attempting to remove large areas of mold. This is because of the safety concerns involved. Mold spores are spread through the air quickly and are difficult to get rid of after they have begun to grow. There is no assurance that the homeowner will be able to remove all the mold and keep it from returning. A professional can safely eliminate mold in air ducts and make sure that it doesn’t return.

The best way to prevent mold in air ducts is to ensure that the air filters are changed regularly and that the ducts are cleaned every couple of years. These steps will keep moisture and condensation out which can promote the growth of mold.

Allergens

Allergies can make summertime activities miserable and leave you with itchy eyes, runny noses and a general sense of discomfort. Keep your home free of allergens to combat allergies. The air conditioning ducts can be an ideal habitat for allergens that trigger allergy symptoms.

Pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander are all typical allergies triggers. These particles can be tracked to your Fridley house on shoes or clothing, and then spread throughout the house by your HVAC system. These particles can be dispersed throughout the home by leaks in ductwork.

The best way to fight the allergens that cause you to suffer is an extensive cleaning of your air ducts. A professional duct cleaning service will remove these particles and let you breathe better.

A dirty air duct can also contain bacteria. Bacteria can make your sick and worsen allergies. The bacteria can transmitted when air moves through your ducts, and then into the vents of your home.

If the ducts are dirty, bacteria can build up in them and be circulated around your entire home, especially when the air conditioner is on. This can cause respiratory problems and could result in more serious illness in certain cases.

In the spring and early summer, many people carry allergens such as mold, pollen and dust mites onto their shoes and clothing. These allergens are likely to settle into places that won’t be disturbed until the next spring or summer. Air ducts are among those areas. If they’re not regularly cleaned, the allergens will stay in your air ducts until you turn on your cooling or heating system.

Dirty air ducts can create many problems for homeowners, such as more expensive energy bills and uncomfortable living conditions. Aeroseal can help you avoid these issues by regularly cleaning your ducts and sealing any leaky ones. An Aeroseal technician will apply the duct sealant with a pressurized system to block air from entering your home through leaky ductwork.

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