When it comes to the heart of the matter, cleaning the air ducts isn't a DIY job. It requires tools, such as a high-powered vacuum and rotating brushes, that you don't have lying around in the garage. In addition, improper cleaning work could damage ducts and cause costly repairs. To clean ducts, vacuum up all dust, dirt, and other particles.
Because it's a cool, dark area, mold and bacteria can grow in ducts. Therefore, it is crucial to clean the ducts as thoroughly as possible. You need a ventilation brush for the dryer, warm soapy water, cleaning cloths, and a vacuum with a dust brush to clean the air ducts. You'll also need a screwdriver to open the wall or ceiling vents and a stool to reach them. At AmeriClean, our answer when asked if air ducts should be treated for contamination is: No.
Our air duct cleaning technicians use the source extraction cleaning method in all of our residential, commercial, and industrial air duct cleaning projects, so our cleaning not only removes dust and debris from inside the air ducts, but also removes contaminants that may be inside the duct. An official website of the United States Government Use of official websites. Government A.gov website belongs to an official United States government organization. Knowledge about cleaning air ducts is in its early stages, so no general recommendation can be offered as to whether you should clean your home's air ducts. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges you to read this document in its entirety, as it provides important information on the subject.
Duct cleaning has never been proven to actually prevent health problems. Nor do studies conclusively prove that the particle (p. e.g., g. This is because much of the dirt in the air ducts adheres to the surfaces of the ducts and does not necessarily enter the living space. It's important to note that dirty air ducts are just one of many possible sources of particulate matter that are present in homes.
Pollutants that enter the home from both outdoor and indoor activities, such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can cause greater exposure to pollutants than dirty air ducts. In addition, there is no evidence that a small amount of household dust or other particles in air ducts poses any health risk. If any of the conditions identified above exist, it usually suggests one or more underlying causes. Before cleaning, reconditioning, or replacing the ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected; otherwise; the problem is likely to reappear. Some research suggests that cleaning the components of the heating and cooling system (p. Ex.) may improve system efficiency; however; there is little evidence that cleaning only the ducts will do so. You may want to consider cleaning your air ducts simply because it seems logical that they will get dirty over time and should be cleaned from time to time.
As long as cleaning is done properly; there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning is harmful. The EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely; but only when necessary. However; the EPA recommends that if you have a furnace; stove; or fireplace that burns fuel; they be inspected for proper functioning and maintained before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. If you decide to have your air ducts cleaned; take the same consumer precautions you would normally take when evaluating the competence and reliability of the service provider. Whether you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not; preventing water and dirt from entering the system is the most effective way to avoid contamination (see How to Prevent Duct Contamination). If you decide to clean your heating and cooling system; it's important to make sure that the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. In addition; the service provider may propose applying chemical biocides designed to remove microbiological contaminants inside ducts and in other components of the system. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover inner surfaces of air ducts and equipment housings because they believe they will control mold growth or prevent release of dirt particles or fibers from ducts. These practices have not yet been thoroughly investigated and you should be fully informed before deciding whether or not to allow use of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts.
They should only be applied if at all after system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris. Knowledge about potential benefits and potential problems of air duct cleaning is limited. Since conditions in every home are different; it's impossible to generalize about whether cleaning your home's air ducts would be beneficial or not. On other hand; if family members have unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think might be related to your home environment; you should discuss situation with your doctor. The EPA has published several publications for guidance on how to identify potential indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or fix them. You might consider cleaning your air ducts simply because it seems logical that they will get dirty over time and should be cleaned from time to time. While there is still debate over whether regular duct cleaning is beneficial or not; there is no evidence suggesting such cleaning is harmful provided it is done properly. On other hand; if service provider fails to follow proper procedures; then it can cause indoor air problems such as releasing more dust than if left alone; increasing heating/air conditioning costs; forcing expensive repairs; etc. In conclusion; knowledge about sanitizing your own air ducts is still limited; so it's best not attempt this yourself unless you are confident in doing so; otherwise contact a professional service provider who can do this safely and effectively.
