How to Keep Your Air Conditioning Ductwork Clean

Air ducts can collect dust, mildew, mold growth, and other waste. These contaminants are then circulated throughout the home. If your allergies are becoming worse or you are smelling an unpleasant odor, it might be time to schedule a home cleaning.

Sheet metal ducts are nearly robust and rustproof, boosting energy efficiency. Flexible aluminum ducts are inexpensive and fit into tight spaces, but they are susceptible to damage by pests.

Leaks

Duct leaks permit air conditioning to escape from the system. They can dramatically reduce a house’s energy efficiency. Leaks are most prevalent at the point where duct segments meet in particular at joints. These sections can loosen and split as time passes due to age, gravity and other factors. Sealing these connections can help stop air leakage. However, it’s best to hire a professional HVAC technician to carry out extensive repairs and insulate your ducts.

You can identify signs of duct leaks by performing an inspection of your basement, attic, and crawlspaces where the runs of ductwork are exposed. Find areas where ducts are damaged or kinked, which indicate blockage and need to be sealed. Verify if the seams or joints are warm. Also pay attention to any whistling sound when the HVAC system runs. If you hear these sounds you could have leaks in the ducts.

Another sign of a leaking duct is unexplained hot or cold spots within the home. Since air leaks deprive the HVAC system of its ability to cool or warm specific rooms, this issue may explain why these rooms are difficult to keep at the same temperature.

Gaps in ductwork can also distribute dust throughout the house even if household activities aren’t changing. Dust mites, mould spores, and other allergens can cause asthma and allergies in family members.

Leaking ducts can release toxic fumes as well as dust into the living area. If you store paint thinners or pesticides in your basement, for instance leaky ductwork could send these chemicals into your living space and expose your family members to fumes. This problem is especially dangerous for elderly or children in your home. A professional can install an indoor air quality monitor to detect dangerous fumes and warn you of their presence in the air.

High Humidity

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

The first thing to do is limit water use in the home as much as possible. This means cutting down on the amount of water used to cook, bathe, and decorations like aquariums. In addition, the homeowner should use a dehumidifier in areas with high humidity to help make the home more dry.

It’s also important to regularly check the ductwork for indications of mold or other problems. Professionals must clean and seal the ducts if there are any problems.

Leakage is another common problem in ductwork. This is typically because of improperly installed joints or seals, which could cause cracks and gaps. The best way to avoid this is by ensuring all joints and connections are correctly installed, and using high-quality materials such as metal.

Air ducts are made of different materials. Each kind has its own unique characteristics that determine how well they perform. The least expensive air ducts, made of polyester, have the shortest life expectancy and are more prone to being damaged by insects and other elements. Aluminum ducts are more expensive, but last longer and can resist 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 consumption.

Blocked ducts can also result in uneven heating and cooling as well as an issue for older buildings that are poorly designed ductwork.

If a homeowner believes they have a leakage or humidity problem, they should contact an experienced HVAC service. The expert will examine the ductwork and make recommendations for any repairs or replacements. It’s important that the ductwork is accessible to access, as this could affect the speed at which the professional can arrive at work and the overall cost of the project.

Mold

Moisture and warm temperatures can combine to cause mold in air conditioning ducts. The moisture is caused by condensation on the inside of the air ducts, which creates a moist environment in which mold spores thrive. The spores are then distributed through your HVAC system throughout the house, causing allergy symptoms among household members.

Signs of mold on the surface around air vents is an indication that you should engage an HVAC expert for AC cleaning. Dust particles that are black can be a sign that mold is growing. If the area appears damp or slimy, then there is definitely something wrong. If there is a musty smell, this is also an indication of a mold problem.

Other indicators of a mold problem in your air ducts could be tears or tears in the insulation, rips in the vent covers rodent droppings, cockroach shells. If the issue is severe, then you may even see rotting wood and sagging metal.

The most frequent kind of mold found in air ducts is Stachybotrys which can cause toxic mold. It can grow on the wood and drywall surfaces, but also in the spaces between the walls and rafters of your home. Stachybotrys can cause allergies, irritation to the eyes nose and throat, and respiratory problems.

The symptoms of mold that can be found in the air ducts are wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Children and the elderly can experience more severe symptoms. Air ducts can cause nausea, fatigue, and headaches.

Homeowners can clean small areas of mold from their air ducts. However, it is not recommended to try to clean large areas of mold. This is because of the safety issues involved. Mold spores can spread quickly through the air and are difficult to eradicate once they start growing. Besides, there is no guarantee that the homeowner has successfully eliminated all the mold and prevented it from returning. A professional can safely remove the mold from air ducts and ensure that it doesn’t recur.

To avoid mold growth in air ducts, make sure to change the air filters frequently and clean the ducts at least once every few years. Taking these steps will stop humidity and condensation which can trigger mold growth.

Allergens

Allergies can make your summertime activities difficult, leaving you with itchy eyes, runny noses and a general sense of discomfort. Make sure your home is free of allergens to combat allergies. The air conditioning ducts are a breeding ground for things that trigger allergy symptoms.

Allergy triggers include dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and pollen. These particles can be tracked the Fridley home on shoes or clothing and then dispersed throughout the home by your HVAC system. These particles could be spread throughout the house by leaks in ductwork.

The best method 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 help you breathe better.

A duct that is dirty may also contain bacteria. Bacteria can cause illness and aggravate your allergies, particularly when you already suffer from allergies. These bacteria are transmitted by the air that flows through your ducts to your home’s vents.

When ducts are filthy the bacteria may build up in them and be circulated around your entire home when the air conditioner is on. This can lead to respiratory issues and can lead to more serious illnesses in certain instances.

In the spring and early summer, many people carry allergens such as mold, pollen and dust mites onto their clothes and shoes. This is the most unpleasant time of year to deal with these types of substances and they’re likely to be settling in areas that will not be disturbed until the following spring or summer. The air ducts are a prime illustration. If they are not cleaned regularly, allergens can remain in the vents until your heating and cooling system is switched on.

Clean air ducts can cause many problems for homeowners, including increased energy costs and uncomfortable living conditions. Fortunately, these issues can be avoided by cleaning your ducts and sealing any leaky ducts by using an Aeroseal company. Aeroseal technicians employ a pressurized sealant to block air from entering through ductwork that is leaky.