Air ducts transport cool and warm air throughout a home or building. Keeping air ducts clean is essential for good air quality inside homes in Arlington, TX. Dust, dirt, and pet hair are common indoor pollutants. Bacteria, viruses, mold, and pollen can also build up in ducts.

Any pollutants present in ducts are spread around the home every time the HVAC powers on. The pollutants circulate through the air, and on tables, beds, counters, and other surfaces. Duct cleaning services clear pollutants from ducts and vents.

People have different reactions to these pollutants. Some people have allergies and experience sneezing or congestion. Others develop a chronic cough. These symptoms range from mildly annoying to serious reactions for people with severe allergies, asthma, COPD, and other respiratory illnesses.

Moisture and Leaks

Moisture build-up is a common problem inside ducts. Condensation forms when cool air and warm air meet. This could happen in places inside ducts that are very hard to reach, or even see clearly. Air duct cleaning services let professionals get in to reach areas that homeowners have a hard time observing themselves.

Mold

Even a small amount of moisture gives mold a chance to grow in ducts. Spores produced by mold colonies end up everywhere in the home every time air travels through those ducts. Mold is recognizable as wispy or fuzzy carpets of green, yellow, black, brown, or white. Fuzzy walls inside ducts indicate it is time to schedule duct cleaning services.

Mold grows best in dark, moist, areas. The climate in Arlington, TX often contributes to conditions that encourage mold growth in homes. Air conditioning vents and ducts are a prime location for mold colonies. Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Mucor, and Fusarium, are common mold species.

Colonies often start as tiny, barely noticeable patches, but mold grows fast. A patch only a few inches across can grow to line an entire section of air ducts within weeks. Colonies produce more spores as they grow.

Spores can form new colonies in other areas inside ducts or anywhere else in the home where they find a suitable environment. Even mold species that do not form spores still shed material that is carried everywhere by air moving through ducts. Duct cleaning services clear those spores and other debris.

Ulocladium and Stachybotrys are two common types of the notorious ‘black mold‘ that many homeowners fear. Sometimes the effects of black mold are exaggerated, but it is a serious concern.

People with healthy immune systems do not have much to fear from mold, but the elderly, young infants and children, and adults with weakened immune systems are more susceptible. People that are sensitive to mold can develop respiratory and neurological health issues, and mold spores in large quantities can cause respiratory irritation for anyone.

Black mold is also dreaded because it is persistent. No single species constitutes ‘black mold’ but many species with a black appearance are very hard to get rid of once a large colony is established. Regularly scheduled duct cleaning services reduce the risk of a large colonies that may take much more effort to get rid of.

Bacteria and Viruses

Bioaerosols is a term for microscopic organisms that are transported through air. It includes dust mites, bacteria, amoebas, plant particles, viruses and bacteria. Viruses and bacteria inside ducts may cause health issues such as pneumonia or allergies.

Some bacteria that thrive in ventilation systems, such as Legionella, cause life-threatening illnesses. Duct cleaning services remove bioaerosols and protect the health of the people living in homes and apartment buildings in Arlington, TX.

A regular schedule for air duct cleaning finds places where moisture builds up and identifies possible problems early before mold or bacteria colonies are established. Air duct cleaning services also clear out other bioaerosols periodically so they are not deposited across indoor surfaces.

Insulation and Structural Damage

Small problems are almost always easier to fix than large ones. Regular duct cleaning services identify small issues before they have a chance to cause widespread damage. Moisture leaking from ducts into walls and insulation can cause so much damage that materials must be replaced. A professional can identify small leaks before many homeowners would even notice a leak existed.

Insects and Rodents

Ducts can present an enticing entry into homes for various species of insects and rodents in Arlington, TX. No one wants to hear the scuttling sound of small feet inside their home’s ventilation system. Ducts create a highway throughout the entire home or building for any small creatures that find their way in.

Rodent droppings inside ducts are a source of illness and unpleasant odors. Most rodents will not stay in ducts. They want to find food sources and warm, comfortable places for their nests. Once rodents find their way into ducts, it is only a matter of time until they establish themselves in the rest of the house.

Professional duct cleaning services also identify holes that serve as entry points for rodents and insects. The holes may be in inaccessible areas that most people will not notice until insects and rodents have already created a noticeable problem in the home itself. Duct cleaning services find entry points before insects and rodents have firmly entrenched themselves in your home.

Energy Efficiency

Debris can also raise energy bills in Arlington, TX. Clogged filters and ducts narrowed by debris force HVAC systems to work harder to move air. This takes more energy, which shows up as a higher dollar amount on monthly bills.

Cleaning air ducts can be a difficult and time-consuming process for most people. Ducts are hard to reach, and entire sections may need to be disassembled to reach problem areas. Minuteman Heating and Air has the necessary tools and equipment for thorough and efficient air duct cleaning without tearing the entire system apart.