Your home’s air quality is directly affected by the air ducts that circulate air throughout your home. Mold growth could occur throughout your home if there is hidden mold in the ductwork. You can’t always see the root cause! It may not always be accessible to the average homeowner, which is why it’s crucial to keep on top of duct maintenance through handy services, such as a duct cleaning service.
Your heating and cooling system’s performance and energy consumption will be affected by how clean your air ducts are. Indoor pollutants such as mold, mildew, and airborne allergens like viruses, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances can be found in your air ducts.
This article will discuss the main benefits of cleaning your air ducts regularly and how to use a duct cleaning company to get rid of mold and common allergens in your Grand Prairie, TX home.
How Does Mold Grow?
If you don’t follow a regular maintenance schedule that includes a duct cleaning service, you may find yourself having issues with mold.
Mold requires certain conditions to thrive. It requires a high level of moisture and low temperatures. Because of this, air conditioning ducts are prime real estate. To grow, however, mold also requires nutrients. These nutrients are available from dead skin cells, pollen, and pet dander, all of which can easily be found in your home’s air ducts if there’s no regular cleaning schedule in place.
How Does Mold Affect My Air Quality?
Mold can grow in as little as 48 hours. Once it begins to grow, mold can quickly spread within a couple of weeks, and adversely affect your air quality. A duct cleaning service can remove a mold colony, even if it’s been flourishing for quite some time.
Mold spores are, unfortunately, common airborne pollutants. They can quite easily spread throughout active AC systems through the air currents; they won’t always get picked up by filters.
Some molds are worse than others. There are molds that can be toxic to pets and your family, but others are safe. Some molds can cause mild allergic reactions. In rare cases, toxic black mold can cause serious health problems.
The most common molds found in homes are usually cladosporium, penicillium, aspergillus, chaetomium, and ulocladium. Although none of these molds are toxic, they can cause mild respiratory problems and will still negatively affect your Grand Prairie, TX home’s air quality.
Mold may be a problem in your home if your nose is constantly runny or clogged, if you have a sore throat, need to keep wheezing, or see skin rashes develop. A musty or mildew-like smell might be a sign of mold in your home. Schedule a duct cleaning service to eliminate mold as the potential underlying cause of any niggling health issues.
There are several pollutants that can be removed from your ducts by a professional cleaning company. A trusted cleaner can undertake the removal of mold, grease, dust, allergens, and smoke residue.
Mold Removal
You may be able to reach the affected areas with a homemade cleaner or commercial mold remover. To ensure that the mold colony doesn’t regrow, regular duct inspections are recommended.
If the initial cleaning solution doesn’t work or the root cause isn’t identified, the mold will likely re-grow. In many cases, mold removal from air ducts during a duct cleaning service will stop the colony from dispersing throughout your home.
Grease Removal
Commercial ductwork, especially, is well-known for releasing foul odors caused by a build-up of food fryer fat. This smell can be very offensive to customers and should be addressed immediately.
Air freshener products are not a recommended solution, as they can cause a sweet, sickly odor when merged with the underlying grease. Instead, it’s best to have ductwork professionally cleaned through a duct cleaning service.
Dust and Allergen Removal
After you have checked any grease extraction ductwork, you should also inspect any air ducts that are connected to your central air ventilation system. Regular HVAC and duct cleaning is essential for the health and well-being of staff, visitors, or building residents. Whether you have a commercial or residential property, dust and allergen removal is a key benefit of all duct cleaning operations.
Tobacco and Smoke Residue Removal
Is it possible to get rid of the cigarette smoke smell by having your air ducts cleaned? Yes! A duct cleaning service can remove the yellow film that cigarette smoke leaves behind. Although it is possible to see and remove the yellow film from walls and ceilings, it could also be trapped in your air circulation system. Even after cleaning the rest of your home, the residual smoke smell could still be present in your vents. To get rid of any residue, it is best to hire a professional.
Additional Benefits of Duct Cleaning
If an HVAC system becomes clogged and can no longer filter out contaminants effectively, it can cause damage to the air ducts, as well as change the performance of your heating and AC. Often, the temperature desired is not reached. This can lead to a reduction in the functionality and usability. If the air ducts aren’t cleaned regularly, they can put additional stress on your HVAC system. This can cause more wear and tear as well as higher repair and maintenance costs.
A professional can remove any debris or obstructions that block airflow during a duct cleaning service. Heating and air conditioning will be more efficient, and the overall airflow will be better.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of your air ducts will also result in a significant reduction in heating and cooling costs. The improved airflow will reduce the amount of electrical energy used by your cooling and heating systems.
These are just some common allergens that we can remove through our cleaning services, and some of the key advantages associated with regular duct maintenance. Book a duct cleaning service with Minuteman Heating & Air in Grand Prairie, TX today.