Air ducts are not typically known as the most attractive part of a home. In fact, these components can be a bit of a blemish on the interior design of an otherwise lovely abode. However, it is important to remember that contaminated air ducts prevent your home from staying clean and healthy.
Unfortunately, it’s common for air ducts to become contaminated with mold and bacteria, especially if you have a home that isn’t well-maintained. If you do want to clean the air ducts in your home, the first step is finding out if they’re already contaminated. This article will help you learn how to detect moldy or contaminated air ducts. We’ll also show you the best way to clean out your air ducts, especially by way of ac air duct cleaning.
What are Contaminated Air Ducts?
What does it mean if your air ducts are contaminated? Many homeowners and even some HVAC technicians do not fully understand what it means if your ducts are contaminated. Contamination can come from a variety of sources such as building materials, cigarette smoke, rodent and insect nests and even mold. When air ducts are contaminated, it means that the air being blown into your home is contaminated as well. The air that you breathe is laden with dust, pollen, bacteria, and other airborne substances.
As you can see, there are plenty of potential problems inside your air ducts that can make you sick. Let’s take a closer look at what contaminants might be lurking inside your air ducts.
Air Ducts Infested with Rodents
No one wants to envision their air ducts infested with rodents, but this is not an impossible occurrence. Rodents are known to build nests inside air ducts and walls. In addition, rats and mice can crawl up inside the AC unit. If this happens, they will travel through the air ducts, into the walls and the home. They can leave droppings and urinate in the ducts.
This is not only unsanitary, but it can lead to health problems. The droppings can carry certain types of bacteria, which can cause a wide range of health problems. Health problems related to rodent droppings include:
- Respiratory problems
- Allergic reactions and skin rashes
- Aggravation of existing respiratory problems
- Aggravation of allergies
In addition to the health risks associated with rodent droppings, they can also be unsanitary. Rodent droppings contain a bacteria called streptobacillus moniliformis, and when these droppings are not cleaned correctly and allowed to accumulate, this bacteria can induce dangerous infections in humans.
Meanwhile, rodents love to multiply and lay their nests in the most unlikely of places, usually close to where humans are located while remaining out of sight. They are also attracted to the warmth, so they will travel through the air ducts in order to reach the warmth of the air stream. They may also leave the nest to search for food, then return to the nest through the same air duct.
Ducts are Clogged with Excessive Dust
Don’t forget about excessive amounts of dust in your home, which might be hiding out in your air ducts. It’s all too easy to think that the air ducts are completely sealed and insulated against the outside world. However, this isn’t the case. When was the last time you took a look at the air ducts in your home?
When dust begins to build up it can prevent the proper flow of air throughout your system. It can even cause your HVAC to overwork itself trying to keep your home comfortable. But there are also health consequences that may occur with too much dust in contaminated air ducts, such as respiratory issues, allergies, sinus infection, and asthma.
Mold Growing in the Air Ducts
Mold growing in the air ducts is perhaps the most ominous problem of all when it comes to contamination. This is because it indicates that your air ducts aren’t being cleaned and sanitized properly, which means there is a threat of mold, dust and bacetria in your home.
Mold growing in the air ducts is also very dangerous, because it can cause breathing problems and other health issues. This is particularly dangerous for those who suffer from mold allergies.
Furthermore, if you have air ducts that are contaminated with mold, it means that the mold contamination has spread to an extensive portion of your residence. This is a serious health risk that needs immediate attention. Moreover, once the mold starts growing in the air ducts, it can grow uncontrollably. Mold contamination in the air ducts can lead to mold spreading to your walls and ceilings, which can be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to clean.
How do You Know if Mold is Growing in Your Air Ducts?
If you’re seeing mold and mildew in other areas of your home, it’s likely because it is also growing in your air ducts. If you do not have your air ducts professionally cleaned, mold and mildew can quickly spread to the rest of the house. The longer it grows the worse the problem will become.
Signs that there is Mold in Your Air Ducts
Mold spores reproduce at a rapid rate and can grow in less than ideal conditions. Air ducts are a perfect incubator for such growth. These are some signs you may experience if there is mold in your air ducts:
- In the winter months, you may notice the furnace is running more frequently to keep the house warm.
- You may notice a strange or musty odor coming from your vents. If you are familiar with various types of musty odors, you should also be familiar with the smell of mold. Musty smells can indicate the presence of mold, which can be dangerous to your health. If you notice a musty odor coming from your vents, you should call your HVAC technician immediately.
In addition to the musty smell, you or your family may experience:
- Persistent nasal congestion, sneezing, or watery eyes
- Respiratory problems and infections (cough, wheezing, etc.)
- Eye, skin, and throat irritation
- Irritability, mental clouding, and listlessness
- Chronic fatigue
- Frequent colds and flu
- Corrosion on metal surfaces (in heating and air conditioning systems, appliances, etc.)
How to Clean Contaminated Air Ducts
Cleaning your air ducts regularly is an important step in making sure your home’s air quality is up to par. Air duct cleaning professionals can remove dirt, dust, and debris from your air ducts and improve the air quality of your home.
An air duct cleaning is a fast, affordable way to improve your indoor air quality and reduce the health risks of a dirty indoor environment. When ducts are clogged with dust, mold, and other contaminants, it can cause health problems that are right in your own home.
Here are several ideas on how to clean your air ducts:
Use an Air Duct Cleaning Kit
They’re not expensive, and they’re fairly straightforward to use. Use an air duct cleaning kit that is designed to loosen and remove dust, dirt, and other debris from your air ducts. An air duct cleaning kit includes a blower, a brush, a vacuum hose, a hand-held tool, and a reusable storage bag to keep everything together.
Use a Vacuum
Vacuuming air ducts is a quick way to remove dust and dirt. Vacuum the vents using a brush attachment. Pay special attention to corners and clean out all debris into a dustpan. This is the best way to get rid of dust and debris, but you can also use a vacuum hose adapter to get them out of small openings.
Use an air duct cleaning brush to scrub away the gunk in the vent. The brush must be scrubbed from the top to the bottom of the vent.
Make sure to vacuum dust, debris, and pet hair out of the vents. Use a U-shaped telescoping inspection tool to fish out dust and debris from deep within the vents.
Don’t Forget About Prevention
Contamination prevention is the best way to ensure that your home is healthy and your air ducts are clean. Sanitizing your filters and cleaning your vent fans is a great start. Vacuuming your vents regularly is a good way to prevent dirt and dust from accumulating in them.
Inconsistent duct cleaning can leave a buildup of dirt, dust and debris.
Regardless of how well you clean your vents, they will still need to be cleaned by a professional eventually. Regular maintenance by cleaning your vents can extend the life of your HVAC system.
When to Clean Your Air Ducts
As a general rule of thumb, you should have your air ducts cleaned every three to five years. Keep in mind that any type of dust, hair, lint, or animal dander can build up in your ducts. This can also include mold and mildew.
When was the last time you looked into air duct cleaning? We’re here to help you get your air ducts clean from top to bottom, including the ridding of any contaminants that may be lurking within. Contact us to get started.