All homeowners know that there can be a lot of maintenance around their home. From keeping the exterior maintained to annual inspections of the plumbing and HVAC systems. But then some services might seem to be more of a scam or ploy to get your money than a real necessity. And many homeowners want to know if there is any real value in having their home’s ductwork cleaned?
The short answer to this question is yes. Duct cleaning is a very beneficial service. But the long answer will provide you with more information about how having your home’s ductwork cleaned will benefit you, your health, and your overall comfort level inside your home.
Signs Your Duct Work Needs Cleaning
There are several times when it is imperative to schedule a duct cleaning for your home. The U.S. EPA recommends cleaning ducts when:
- There is visible mold or mildew found in the ductwork or any component of the HVAC system. When mold is present in your home, it can create dangerous health conditions as the spores permeate the air. The result can be itchy eyes, runny nose, sore throat, skin irritation, and even breathing difficulty for anyone with severe allergies or asthma. Professional duct cleaning is necessary when mold is discovered in the ducts or inside the AC unit. Other attempts to eliminate the mold will be only temporary.
- An infestation of vermin, rodents, or insects is very serious. During the infestation, the vermin and rodents use the ductwork to move around your house. The sound of them shuffling in the duct could be your first alert to the problem. Or you could begin to notice waste and droppings in your home. The rodents or vermin need to be removed from the ductwork. Then it needs to be professionally cleaned to remove the waste and other contamination that could cause allergic reactions. It is also vital that your exterminator inspect the entire house to ensure that all of the critters have been removed.
- Over many years, excessive dust and debris can gather in ductwork. If you have lived in the home for several years and not had the ducts cleaned, there is likely to be a coating on the inside of the ducts contributing to the air pollution inside your home. The result can be excessive dust in the air, constant dust on furniture and belongs in your home, and breathing and allergy issues. And finally, the dust buildup makes it more difficult for your AC to distribute the cool air throughout your home. You might be surprised how much more comfortable your home feels once the dust blockage is removed from your home’s ductwork.
How Is A Duct Professionally Cleaned?
Because the ducts are located in your ceilings, walls, and floors, you might be worried about the process of cleaning them. However, we do not use any massively destructive methods in the cleaning process. Our pros use zone bags to ensure that each section of the ductwork is thoroughly cleaned. After attaching the vacuum system to the duct supply line, we close off the registers in your home to ensure that all of the dust and debris is removed and not redistributed to other sections of the duct or into your home.
Next, the team uses special tools to reach inside the ducts and clean away all the dust and blockages. Each small section of the ducts is cleaned before focusing on the main supply section, which is usually the most dust encrusted. Once all of the ducts are completely clean, we focus on cleaning the registers. The final step in the process is to sanitize all of the ductwork. Sanitizing ensures that you will not have any mold or mildew issues that could create health issues for you and your loved ones.
In most cases, it takes between two and four hours to completely clean and sanitize a duct system. The size of your home will determine the time involved in the process. To learn more and schedule a professional duct cleaning for your home, call 806-583-3558. The Action Air Plumbing and Septic team will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with a no-obligation duct cleaning price quote.
