How to Keep Your Air Conditioning Ductwork Clean
Air ducts are a great place to collect debris, including dust, mildew and mold. These pollutants are then spread throughout the home. If you notice that your allergies are worsening or if you smell an unpleasant odor, it’s time to schedule a home cleaning.
Sheet metal ducts are nearly rustproof and durable, promoting energy efficiency. Flexible aluminum ducts are suitable for use in tight spaces and are inexpensive. However they are susceptible to damage from pests.
Leaks
Leaks in ducts can cause the air conditioning to escape, which can lower the efficiency of energy in a home. Leaks usually occur at the point where duct segments join, especially at joints. These sections can loosen and break off over time 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.
Find indications of leaks in ducts in your crawlspace or attic where the ductwork is exposed. Look for areas where the ducts are crushed or kinked that indicate blockage and require to be sealed. Check to see if the seams or joints are warm. Be aware of any whistling sounds when the HVAC system is running. If you hear these sounds, duct leaks could be present in that area.
Another common sign of leaky ducts is the presence of hot or cold spots throughout the house. This is due to air leaks that could stop the HVAC system from cooling or heating specific rooms.
The ductwork’s gaps can spread dust throughout the house, even when household activities haven’t changed. They can trigger asthma and allergies in family members due to the circulating dust mold spores, mites, and other allergens in living areas.
Leaking ducts can release toxic fumes as well as dust into the living space. Leaking ductwork for instance could expose your family to harmful fumes in the event that you store pesticides and paint thinners in your basement. This problem is especially dangerous for elderly or children living in your home. Installing an indoor air monitor will detect these fumes and warn you of their presence.
High Humidity
In hot, humid climates like Florida, air conditioning ducts sweat more than they ought to. This is a major issue because sweaty ducts allow excessive moisture to get into homes which can cause mold growth and poor air quality. There are a variety of things homeowners can do to decrease humidity and ensure that ductwork is dry.
The first step is to limit water use in the home as much as possible. Reduce the amount of water you use for bathing, cooking and aquariums. In humid climates, homeowners should also utilize a dehumidifier in order to make their home dryer.
It is also crucial to check the ductwork on a regular basis for signs of mold or other problems. Professionals should clean and seal ducts when they notice any issues.
Leakage is another common problem in ductwork. It is usually the result of joints that are not properly installed or seals that can result in cracks and gaps. The best way to prevent this is to ensure that all joints and connections are correctly installed and made of high-quality materials like metal.
Air ducts are made of various materials. Each type has its own characteristics that determine the way they perform. The cheapest air ducts, which are made of polyester, have the lowest time to live and are more prone to damage by pests and other elements. Aluminum ducts are more expensive, but last longer and are resistant to insects.
Another issue with ducts is that they are often blocked by furniture, toys and other items that block airflow. A blocked duct can affect the airflow and efficiency of the system.
Blocked ducts can also cause uneven heating and cooling and cooling, which is an issue in older buildings that are poorly designed ductwork.
If a homeowner suspects they are experiencing issues with humidity or leakage should contact a HVAC service. The professional will inspect the ductwork and provide recommendations for any necessary repairs or replacements. It is essential that the ductwork be easily accessible, since this will impact how quickly and at what cost the expert can complete the task.
Mold
Moisture and warm temperatures can create mold in air conditioning ducts. The condensation causes the moisture on the inside of the air ducts, which creates a humid atmosphere where the spores of mold thrive. The spores then get circulated throughout the house by your HVAC system and cause allergic symptoms in household members.
Signs of mold on the surface around air vents are an indicator that you must hire an HVAC professional for AC cleaning. Dust particles that are black could be a sign that mold is thriving. If the area appears to be wet or slimy, there is clearly a problem. A musty odor is another indication of mold.
Other signs of a mold issue in your air ducts could be ripped or torn insulation, rips in the vent covers rodent droppings, cockroach shells. If the mold issue is severe, you may observe decaying wood or sagging metal.
The most frequent kind of mold found in air ducts is Stachybotrys that can result in toxic mold. It can develop on wood and drywall surfaces as well as in the spaces between the walls and rafters of your home. Stachybotrys may cause irritation to the throat, nose, and eyes, as well as respiratory problems.
Symptoms of mold in the air ducts are coughing, wheezing and a shortness of breath. Children and the elderly can experience more severe symptoms. The air ducts in the air can cause nausea, headaches and fatigue.
It is advised homeowners not to attempt to remove large areas of mold. The safety concerns involved are the main reason. Mold spores are spread through the air quickly and are difficult to remove once they’ve begun to grow. There is also no guarantee that the home owner has successfully eliminated all the mold and prevented it from returning. A professional can safely eliminate mold in air ducts and guarantee that it does not return.
The best way to prevent mold in air ducts is to make sure that the air filters are changed frequently and that the ducts are cleaned once every few years. Following these steps will help keep humidity and condensation out which can promote the growth of mold.
Allergens
Allergies can make your summertime activities miserable and leave you with itchy eyes, swollen noses and a general sense of discomfort. Maintaining a clean home is an essential part of battling allergies, and your air conditioning ducts could be a breeding place for the things that trigger your symptoms.
Pollen, dust mites, mold spores and pet dander are all typical allergy triggers. These particles can be tracked into your Fridley house on clothes or shoes, and then scattered throughout the house by your HVAC system. Leaks in your ductwork could let these particles pass through and then be recirculated throughout the home.
A thorough cleaning of the air ducts is the best way to combat these allergies. A professional duct cleaning service will remove these particles and let you breathe more comfortably.
A clogged air duct could also be a source of bacteria. Bacteria can make you sick and worsen your allergy symptoms. These bacteria are transmitted by the air that passes through your ducts and into your home’s vents.
If the ducts are dirty bacteria can grow inside them and then be circulated throughout your home when the air conditioner is on. This can lead to respiratory issues and could lead to more serious illnesses in certain cases.
Many people, particularly in the spring and early summer months are able to bring allergens like pollen, mold, and dust mites into their homes, on their shoes and clothing. This is the most unpleasant time of year to deal with these types of substances and they’re likely to settle in areas where they won’t be disturbed until the following spring or summer. The air ducts are a prime example. If they are not cleaned on a regular basis, allergens may remain in the vents until your cooling and heating system is switched on.
Air ducts that are dirty can cause many problems for homeowners, including higher energy bills and uncomfortable living conditions. Fortunately, these issues can be avoided by regularly cleaning your ducts as well as sealing any leaky ducts using an Aeroseal company. An Aeroseal technician will employ a pressurized duct sealant to block air from entering your home through ductwork that is leaky.