Air duct cleaning may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to cleaning and maintaining your home, but the potential benefits of this service mean that maybe it should be. The services of a professional cleaning company can make a huge difference in the efficiency and health of your home, improving the quality of life for all who live there. When considering whether to have your air ducts cleaned, it’s easy to wonder if your home would really benefit from such a service. The answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about uniqairz air duct can help.
What is the purpose of air duct cleaning?
Startling studies have shown that the air inside a home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. You may think that the air filters in your ventilation system are enough to protect you from this pollution, but the reality is that these disposable filters only remove about 10 percent of the pollutants and contaminants that pass through them.
The rest of these contaminants enter the air system, then circulate through the home and settle on the surfaces of the floors and furniture. While these surfaces can be easily cleaned, the problem lies in the contaminants that settle in the duct system. When this happens, traces of these contaminants are continually reintroduced into the air and can be inhaled by the occupants of the home.
Can mold grow in the ducts?
When contaminants and debris enter your duct system, they can become an ideal food source for a variety of organic contaminants. The dark and often moist environment of the duct system is ideal for the growth of mold, bacteria, fungi and viruses. When new contaminants such as dead skin cells, pet dander and moisture enter the air duct system, they can thrive. Portions of these contaminants can then become part of the air and lead to a variety of respiratory symptoms.
How are air ducts cleaned?
Duct cleaning professionals use a variety of specialized tools and techniques to thoroughly clean and protect your air duct system. It is critical that all components of your heating and cooling equipment and air ducts are thoroughly cleaned to prevent continued contamination. Cleaning usually begins with a thorough inspection to determine the extent of contamination and any areas of the heating and cooling unit or duct system that are not in proper working order. The technician then uses special tools to loosen the debris and heavy-duty vacuums to remove that debris. The components are then thoroughly cleaned and possibly protected with a disinfectant solution.
How often do the air ducts need to be cleaned?
After your heating and cooling unit and air duct system has been thoroughly cleaned by a professional, you will not need to have the system cleaned again for three to seven years if it is properly maintained. It is important that you continue to maintain the system by having it inspected and repaired once or twice a year.
