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Is Duct Cleaning Really Necessary?

October 23rd, 2015 by Darwilladmin

Dusty Vents

Now that winter’s on its way, it’s time to think about your heating system. When you first turn on your furnace, make sure it won’t blow dust particles into the air your breathe. That’s why we recommend routine duct cleaning for any home. The best time to do this is in the fall right before winter, so you can get peace of mind when using heat to stay warm. Let’s take a look at why it’s necessary to have your ducts cleaned by a professional.

Reasons to Have Your Ducts Cleaned

There are many reasons why you should have your ducts cleaned. All are an attempt to boost the air quality in the home.

Mold Growth

According to the EPA, you should have your ducts cleaned if you see mold growth inside hard surface ducts. Look at the sheet metal portions or the other parts of your heating and cooling system. Take these into account when it comes to mold detection in your heating system.

  • Many portions of your ducts may not be easy to conduct a visible inspection. This is where a professional comes in. They have the tools and equipment to detect any mold and then provide evidence of what they found.
  • Even though something looks like mold on the surface, you still need to test it to make sure it is mold. This often requires laboratory analysis.
  • Thorough cleaning to remove all traces of the mold growth must occur so new mold does not grow.
  • In some cases, insulated air ducts may get wet and moldy, requiring total replacement.

Pests

If your ducts have become infested rodents or insects, call in a professional to clean out your ducts.

Excessive Dust

In older homes that haven’t had a duct cleaning in many years, the dust and debris can build up and be excessive. Due to this, the dust can get blown into your living space and you can breathe it in.

Allergies

The EPA recommends air duct cleaning as needed. Air ducts can and do accumulate some dust. You should know this is normal. But, if anyone in your home has allergies or asthma, you may want to have your air ducts inspected. You should also visit your doctor to ask his or her advice on how to make adjustments to your indoor air quality.

Correct Cleaning Procedures

It’s important that your service provider follows proper duct cleaning procedures. If done without the proper precautions, this can cause indoor air problems. A vacuum collection system that’s old can release contaminants into the air. This is even worse than if you had not cleaned the ducts at all. A service provider who is not trained to do duct cleaning can damage the ducts. This leads to inefficient operation, higher bills, and more costly repairs.
 
This is why you need an expert in your corner when it comes to air duct cleaning. Call Thornton Heating Service today and inquire about our duct cleaning services.