One of the biggest concerns of any homeowner in Arlington, TX is probably the quality of the air inside their home. Because of this, they may be considering a duct cleaning service to help them achieve their goal of cleaner air. But finding a dependable, high-quality duct cleaning service is not always straightforward, which is why we explain everything you should know about duct cleaning before you end up paying for a service. Read on to find out the most important facts about duct cleaning.
Dirt and Dust Are Nuisances, but Mold and Allergens Are Serious Health-Risks
One of the biggest beliefs about a duct cleaning service is that it helps prevent health problems, but the reality is that the EPA has said that no studies have shown that cleaning your home’s air ducts prevents potential health issues related to just dirt and dust. However, if mold, mildew or other contaminants, such as allergens, hair, or dander from pests accumulate in your air ducts, they can be released into your home, leading to allergic reactions and the worsening of respiratory illnesses such as asthma, and duct cleaning is the only way to get relief.
One thing that should be noted is that the EPA does not provide any type of certification for duct cleaning companies. Because of this, when anybody claims to be certified by the EPA, you should be wary of what they have to say.
Trust the Professionals! Your Ducts and HVAC System Could Be Damaged By an Amateur
In order to provide an adequate duct cleaning service, a company must have proper training and plenty of experience. Your ducts should be inspected and repaired before the actual duct cleaning service is performed. Additionally, the cleaning company has to clean all your system’s components, including drain pans, the air handler, fans, housing, exchangers, and more. If this isn’t done correctly, the whole system will quickly become contaminated once more, which will cancel any of the possible benefits you could have obtained with your duct cleaning service. If the procedure is performed correctly, dirt, dust, and other contaminants will be at much lower levels in your Arlington, TX home.
Aside from this, there are special tools that a professional duct cleaner will require to perform the job correctly. If these tools and adequate methods are used in your duct cleaning service, your ducts and other components of your HVAC system will be free of damage and clean as a whistle!
Make Sure the HVAC Service Uses EPA-Approved Chemicals
One of the things you should keep in mind is that duct cleaning can also involve the use of chemical cleaners, sealants, and other coatings that could become the potential source for allergies, headaches, and asthma attacks. Always ask your duct cleaner what types of chemicals, if any, will be used, and check with them about any potential health issues related to their use.
Another thing to keep in mind is that even though some companies say they use “eco-friendly” methods, they may still use chemicals that could be dangerous to your family, because you simply don’t know how safe they actually are. So, if you have doubts, you can do some research online or contact the EPA to find the answers to any questions you may have. Always make sure that any products used to disinfect and sanitize your air ducts are approved by the EPA. Also, ask the service provider to show you the labels of any other chemical products they will be using. The label should have a list of approved uses and if duct cleaning is not listed you should not allow it to be used.
Always Diagnose the Cause of the Dirt, Dust, and Debris Before Cleaning
If you are wondering how your air ducts got so dirty in the first place, you should know that leaks are the most common cause for this problem. This means that even though you are spending the money to get them clean, if the ducts themselves are not repaired prior to cleaning, they will quickly become dirty again, negating the entire purpose of your investment. In order to avoid spending money unnecessarily, make sure any necessary repairs of your HVAC system, including its air ducts, are carried out before you even consider having the ducts cleaned.
Don’t Forget to Clean the Other HVAC Components
The fast answer to this question is yes, but this is only true if you also clean the HVAC system that is feeding into the ducts. In order to improve your HVAC system’s efficiency, every single component, especially cooling coils, heat exchangers, and fans, should be thoroughly cleaned or dust, dirt, and other debris will build up again much more quickly than they should.
When Should You Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned?
There are certain times at which you should really worry about having your air ducts cleaned. Even though the normal accumulation of dust and dirt does not always pose a potentially dangerous situation, when mold starts accumulating in your ductwork, there is an excessive amount of dirt or debris, or pests and vermin have made their homes in your ducts, it’s time to have your ducts inspected, repaired, and cleaned before the problem worsens and results in health problems for you and your loved ones.
Make sure you always hire a trained and licensed professional to do the job, and verify the important points stated above in what refers to the use of chemicals during the procedure. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions and make sure you get a detailed quote in writing before you make your decision.
Are You Looking for a Reputable Professional Duct Cleaning Service?
Not all duct cleaning services are created equal, which is why when your Arlington, TX home’s air ducts require a thorough, professional cleaning, don’t hesitate to give Minuteman Heating & Air a call. You can be sure we will be happy to help get your home’s air ducts as clean as they should be!