How to Keep Your Air Conditioning Ductwork Clean
Air ducts are a great place to collect particles, including mold, mildew, and dust. The contaminants are then recirculated throughout the home. If you notice that your allergies are getting worse or if you smell an unpleasant odor, it’s time to schedule a house cleaning.
Sheet metal ducts boost energy efficiency due to their robust and almost completely rustproof. Flexible aluminum ducts are inexpensive and can be squeezed into tight spaces, but they are prone to damage by pests.
Leaks
Leaks in ducts can cause the air conditioning to escape, and this can reduce the efficiency of energy used in a home. Leaks usually occur when duct sections meet and are most often at joints. The ducts can become loose and break off over time due to age, gravity and other factors. Sealing these connections with metal tape or mastic will aid in preventing air loss, but it’s best to hire an HVAC expert to carry out extensive repairs and to insulate the ducts.
Check for signs of duct leaks in your attic or crawlspace where the ductwork is exposed. Find areas of ducts that appear kinked, crushed or twisted. This is a sign of an obstruction that needs to be sealed. Feel along the seams and joints to determine if they’re warm. Also pay attention to any whistling sounds when the HVAC system is running. If you hear these sounds you could have duct leaks in that area.
Another common sign of a leaking duct is unexplained hot or cold spots in the house. This is due to air leaks that can prevent the HVAC system from cooling or heating specific rooms.
Even when household activities are unchanged, gaps in ductwork can distribute dust throughout a building. Dust mites, mould spores, and other allergens can trigger asthma and allergies in family members.
In addition to distributing dust, leaking ducts may also spread toxic fumes into the living space. If you keep pesticides or paint thinners in your basement, for example leaky ductwork could send these chemicals into your living space and expose your loved ones to fumes. This is especially dangerous if children or elderly adults live in the home. A professional can install an indoor air quality monitor to detect dangerous gasses and alert you of 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 because the ducts that sweat are allowing excessive moisture into homes, which could cause a variety of problems, including mold growth and poor indoor air quality. Fortunately, there are many ways homeowners can reduce humidity and keep their ductwork dry.
The first thing to do is limit water use in the home as much as you can. Reduce the amount of water you use for cooking, bathing and aquariums. In humid climates, homeowners should also use a dehumidifier to make their home drier.
It’s also important to regularly check the ductwork for indications of mold or other problems. Professionals should clean and seal ducts when they notice any problems.
Another issue that is common to ductwork is leakage. This is typically because of joints that have been installed incorrectly or seals, which could result in cracks and gaps. The best way to avoid this is to ensure that all joints and connections are properly installed and using top-quality materials such as metal.
Air ducts are made of a variety of materials and each one has its own characteristics that can affect how well they function. The least expensive air ducts made of polyester, have the shortest time to live and are more vulnerable to damage by pests and elements. Aluminum ducts are more expensive, but last longer and are more resistant to insects.
Airflow can be impeded by furniture, toys, and other objects. A blocked duct can affect airflow as well as the energy efficiency of your system.
Blocked ducts can also lead to uneven heating and cooling as well as an issue in older buildings with poorly constructed ductwork.
A homeowner who suspects that they have a problem with leakage or humidity should contact an HVAC service. The professional will inspect the ductwork, and make recommendations for any necessary repairs or replacements. It’s important that the ductwork is accessible to access, since this could affect the speed at which the technician can get to work and also the total cost of the project.
Mold
Moisture and warm temperatures can create mold to air conditioning ducts. The moisture comes from condensation on the inside of the air ducts, which creates a humid environment in which mold spores thrive. The spores can then be distributed throughout the house by your HVAC system and cause allergic symptoms in household members.
The visible signs of mold around air vents are an indication that you need to hire an HVAC expert for AC cleaning. Black dust particles can be an indication that mold is growing. If the area appears wet or slimy, there is an issue. If there is a musty scent, this is also an indication of a mold infestation.
Mold can also be detected by ripped or torn air insulation for ducts, rips on vent covers, rodent droppings, and cockroaches shells. If the problem is severe it could be that you notice decaying wood and the metal is sagging.
Stachybotrys is the most frequent mold that is found in air ducts. This mold can produce toxic mold. It can be found on drywall and wood surfaces, but also in the spaces between the walls and rafters in your home. Stachybotrys can lead to allergies, irritation to the eyes, nose and throat and respiratory problems.
The symptoms of mold that can be found in air ducts include coughing, wheezing and breath shortness. Children and the elderly can suffer more severe symptoms. Mold in air ducts can cause headaches, fatigue and nausea.
It is recommended homeowners not to attempt to remove large areas of mold. The safety concerns are the reason for this. Mold spores can spread quickly through the air and are difficult to eliminate once they start growing. There is no assurance that the homeowner will be able to eliminate all the mold and prevent it from resurfacing. A professional can safely remove mold in air ducts and make sure that it does not recur.
The best method to avoid mold in air ducts is to make sure that the air filters are changed regularly and that the ducts are cleaned once every few years. These steps will help stop moisture and condensation, which can encourage the growth of mold.
Allergens
Allergies can make your summertime activities difficult and leave you with itchy eyes, swollen noses, and a general feeling of discomfort. Make sure your home is free of allergens in order to combat allergies. Your air conditioning ducts can be a breeding ground for things that trigger allergy symptoms.
Pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander are all typical allergy triggers. These particles can be carried into your Fridley house on clothes or shoes, and then dispersed throughout your home by your HVAC system. Leaks in your ductwork can let these particles pass through and be circulated throughout the home.
A thorough cleaning of the air ducts is the best way to fight allergies. A professional duct cleaning service can remove these particles, helping you to breathe more comfortably and combat your allergies.
A dirty air duct can also contain bacteria. Bacteria can make you sick and worsen allergies. The bacteria can be transmitted when air passes through your ducts and the vents in your home.
If the ducts are dirty, bacteria can build up within them, and later be circulated throughout your home once the air conditioner is turned on. This can cause respiratory problems and could lead to more serious illnesses in some cases.
During the spring and early summer, many people carry allergens such as mold, pollen and dust mites on their shoes and clothes. This is the most unpleasant time of year for these types of substances, and they’re likely to be settling in areas that won’t be disturbed until the following spring or summer. The air ducts are a prime illustration. If they’re not cleaned on a regular basis, allergens may remain in the vents until your cooling and heating system is turned on.
Air ducts that are dirty can cause many problems for homeowners, including more expensive energy bills and uncomfortable living conditions. Aeroseal can help you avoid these problems by cleaning your ducts regularly and sealing any leaky ones. Aeroseal technicians will employ a pressurized sealant to stop air from entering through leaky ductwork.