Mold in Your Air Ducts: What Homeowners Should Know

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ac duct repairYour ductwork is probably something you don’t think about very often. But maintaining clean ducts is important for continuing to have an efficient heating and cooling system. In fact, for maximum HVAC efficiency, air ducts should be cleaned every three to five years. Along with keeping efficiency levels up, regular ductwork cleaning is important for the wellbeing of everyone in your home. Hidden dangers, like mold, can be lurking and go undetected, causing harm to you and your family. With that in mind, this article is going to discuss warning signs of mold and why it’s important to schedule AC duct repair and cleaning services.

How to Tell if You Have Mold in Your Ductwork

Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to tell if you have mold in your home, especially in the hidden ductwork. But there are a few warning signs all homeowners should know about. There are a few places where you can spot signs of mold: any visible ductwork, heat registers, evaporator coils, and furnace drip pans should be checked regularly for mold. Besides looking for physical evidence of mold, you can use your other senses. If you smell an unusual musty smell, that could mean you have mold growing in your ductwork. Additionally, you can use your health status as a warning sign. When there is mold present in your home, you may notice you have itchy eyes, a runny nose, or a scratchy throat. So if you begin to notice your health declining when you spend long amounts of time in your house, it may be time to call for air duct and vent cleaning services.

What to Do About Mold Problems

If you even suspect you have mold building up in your ductwork, it’s important to call a professional right away. While there are some forms of mold that aren’t necessarily harmful, others, like black mold, are extremely dangerous. This is why it’s crucial to schedule AC duct repair and cleaning services. Professional duct cleaning companies will be able to get a good look inside your ductwork and tell if you have mold or not. Cleaning air ducts when there is mold present should always be done by a professional. This is because professionals know which products to use and how to go about removing the mold safely.

Hopefully, this information will help you better detect mold in your home. To ensure your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible and to protect your family’s health, make sure to schedule regular AC duct repair and cleaning services.

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5 Common Contaminants Found in Air Ducts

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When it comes time to clean your house, air duct and vent cleaning is something you probably don’t think about. But cleaning the ductwork in your home is one of the most important things you can do as a homeowner. A clean and functioning HVAC and ductwork system is crucial for clean, comfortable air in your home. To encourage you to schedule HVAC and duct cleaning services, let’s discuss a few common contaminants that could be hiding in your air ducts.

Dust and dirt: Some of the most common contaminants found in air ducts are dust and dirt. Dust can be generated from things like carpet and furniture and dirt can be brought in from outside through the bottom of shoes or even through open windows. When the HVAC system is turned on, debris like dust and dirt can easily be swept in.

Mold and Mildew: Believe it or not, every home has mold spores in it. Most of these mold spores don’t reach dangerous levels and generally go undetected. But in cases where condensation builds up in vent systems, mold and mildew can grow rapidly. Professional duct cleaning is needed to safely remove mold from ductwork.

Allergens: Allergens like pollen and dust can also build up in ductwork. These contaminants can be pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated five to seven times each day. When this goes on for a while, those with allergies will begin to see harmful effects to their health due to the buildup of allergens.

Dander: Dander is the dead skin cells that are shed from people and animals. While this may seem like a tiny thing, it can actually build up fairly quickly. Because people and animals are constantly moving around in a home, dander can spread throughout the home and be redistributed through the HVAC system.

Pests: If a home doesn’t have regular HVAC cleaning services, pests can make their way into the ductwork. Rodents, insects, and other pests look for shelter during the hot summer months and the cold winter months. Once they’re inside the vent system, they’re pretty hard to remove. They can cause damage to the house and even spread diseases to the residents.

These contaminants can be extremely harmful to your wellbeing. Fortunately, with the right HVAC cleaning services, you can prevent the buildup of these harmful contaminants. So to keep the air in your home at its best quality, schedule HVAC cleaning services today.

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When Is it Time to Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned?

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When you’re doing laundry, you probably just throw your clothes into the dryer without thinking twice about the dryer itself. This is why dryer vents are one of the most neglected areas in a house. But without proper maintenance and cleaning, dryer vents can actually cause a lot of damage to your home. Not only will your dryer itself suffer, but clogged dryer vents can be dangerous too. In fact, 34% of residential clothing dryer fires are caused by lack of cleaning. So to help make sure you have your dryer vent properly cleaned, let’s look at a few warning signs that show your dryer vent is getting too dirty.

 

The dryer is hot: If you run the dryer and notice that either the dryer itself is very hot or your dried clothes are hotter than normal, this may be a sign that the vent is clogged. When the vent is unable to exhaust properly, the heat from the dryer has nowhere to go and can cause the dryer to overheat. This can not only cause the dryer to wear out quicker, but it also wastes energy. So if you notice your dryer being unusually hot, invest in professional dryer vent cleaning services to get it taken care of.

 

There’s a burning smell: Your dryer should essentially have no smell to it. So if you smell any sort of burning smell, that’s a surefire sign that something isn’t right. If you begin to notice a burning smell, stop the dryer immediately. Lint is flammable, which is why dryer fires are so common. If lint is built up, it can start to burn and even start a fire. You should stop using your dryer if you smell burning and have it looked at by a professional as soon as possible. Dryer duct cleaning services can remove any lint and decrease the risk of a fire.

 

Your clothes aren’t drying: The cycle time of your dryer should stay pretty consistent. So if you notice that your clothes aren’t drying properly or they take much longer than usual to dry, this could warrant dryer vent cleaning services. When a dryer vent is blocked, the hot air stays in the dryer and makes the clothes feel damp. An inefficient dryer is not good for drying clothes or saving energy. So if you notice the need for longer dryer cycles, call a professional to have it looked at.

 

Dryer vent cleaning services can help ensure the dryer is working properly and safely. So if you notice any of these warning signs, make sure to call a professional sooner rather than later.

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Why Should Your Ducts Be Cleaned Before Winter?

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Getting your home ready for winter involves a lot of work. You need to do important tasks like getting out the snow blower, cleaning the chimney, and have your furnace inspected. But one important task homeowners often forget about is getting their ductwork cleaned. Clean ducts are crucial, especially in the winter. So let’s explore a few reasons why you should have your ducts cleaned before winter.

 

Improved heating efficiency: When ductwork hasn’t been cleaned in a while, it can begin to become clogged with dust and other debris. And when ductwork is clogged, it can drastically impact the effectiveness of heating throughout the home. When the HVAC system has to work harder to push the air through the ducts, it can increase energy use. Clean ducts are essential for proper heating of your home, which is why duct cleaning services are so invaluable. Cleaning your ducts is key to ensuring your home will be comfortably heated all winter long without an increased energy bill.

 

Higher-quality indoor air: During the colder months, homeowners tend to spend more time indoors. And this is why having high-quality indoor air is so important. Certain contaminants and pollutants, like dust, chemicals, and dander, are pulled into the home’s HVAC system and can be re-circulated five to seven times each day. Over time, these contaminants can build up within the system and can lower air quality. This, in turn, can harm residents’ health. So to keep you and your family healthy all winter long, make sure you invest in the proper air duct repair services.

 

Establishes health threats: Ductwork is generally something homeowners don’t look at very often. And because of this, there could be health threats, like mold or bacteria, growing within the duct system. When homeowners invest in air duct repair services, they can rest assured that any health threats within the system will be identified. Mold growth, debris, and even pests can be properly identified and they can then be taken care of as needed. Establishing the existence of these health threats is one of the biggest reasons you should get your air ducts cleaned.

 

As you can see, duct cleaning services offer immense benefits. So do your home and your family a favor and get your ducts cleaned before winter.

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Why Should You Let a Professional Handle Duct Cleaning and Maintenance?

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There are plenty of reasons homeowners should have their ducts cleaned. In fact, having ducts cleaned every three to five years can allow for maximum cooling and heating efficiency. But many homeowners make the mistake of thinking they can handle duct cleaning themselves. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few reasons to leave duct cleaning and maintenance to the professionals.

They have the right tools: Cleaning ducts is not as nearly easy as cleaning other parts of your home. While light dusting and vacuuming can do wonders for removing dust and contaminants from your home, cleaning air ducts is a way to truly get your air system clean. And it’s not an easy job — professionals have the tools, knowledge, and experience to know exactly how a system works, what kind of damage to keep an eye out for, and overall what the best way to clean the system is. Without the proper tools and knowledge, you won’t be able to effectively clean the duct system.

They’ll avoid spreading contaminants: When it comes to cleaning your ducts, it’s important to avoid spreading contaminants and chemicals that may be built up in the duct system to the rest of the house. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to do without the knowledge and experience a professional has. Unlike cleaning up other messes, you can’t simply push or blow the dust, dirt, and even mold out of the system, as this will just release them into the home. By using the right cleaning supplies, a professional duct cleaning crew can effectively remove contaminants without spreading them.

They can handle complex jobs: There are some duct system tasks, like underground air duct restorations, that homeowners should never try to do on their own. Not only are some duct cleaning and repair tasks very difficult, but they can be dangerous too. There are a lot of delicate parts and complex equipment that has to be used when it comes to tasks like underground air duct restoration. And if something is done incorrectly, that could mess the entire system up. So any duct cleaning or maintenance should really be left to the professionals to ensure it’s done correctly and safely.

As you can see, there are several reasons only professionals should handle duct cleaning and maintenance. So if you need your ducts cleaned, call a local company today.

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3 Ways To Know If Your Home Air Quality If Bad

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Every day 60% of Americans are exposed to pet dander and 80% are exposed to dust mites. Poor air quality can cause health problems, particularly for people with asthma and allergies. Many people don’t realize that HVAC cleaning services can do more than just improve your home’s efficiencies. Clean ducts and fresh air filters can improve the overall air quality in your home. By investing in HVAC cleaning services, you can prevent a lot of potential health problems in the long run. Which begs the question:

How Do You Know If Your Air Quality Is Bad?

 

 

  • Allergies

    If you normally have allergies it can be difficult to notice whether your current episode is related to your indoor air quality or something outdoors. If the allergy attack seems out of season, or particularly severe, you may have poor air quality. Even if it is in season, you might want to check your filter anyways. Being aware of how the air quality affects you every day is a huge start to improving your overall quality of life.

 

  • Consider the humidity

    In warmer months it can get hot and humid inside your home. If the humidity is high it is likely you may have mold growing in your home. If there’s water, there’s probably mold. Mold spores are a huge drag on your overall air quality. Some varieties of mold can even make you sick. If you notice the internal humidity is very high, get a dehumidifier and check for mold.

 

  • Home construction

    If you’ve recently started a remodeling project, or your neighbor has, there may be air pollutants entering your home from those efforts. If you are digging in the basement you may find radon or harmful gasses seeping into your house without you knowing. Your drains, if you’re replacing toilets or drain pipes, may be leaking sewer gasses into your home. Not to mention the dust created by drywall or the fumes from paint. Being aware of how these activities can affect air quality can allow you to decrease the overall impact to you and your family.

 

In general, you could be exposing yourself to a lot of air pollutants every day. Everything from combustible gasses from a natural gas stove to second-hand smoke. Being aware, hiring professional duct cleaning services, and working to maintain your air quality can improve your overall quality of life.

The Definite Dos and Don’ts of Air Ducts

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get your air ducts cleanAir ducts are an essential yet unseen part of your home and when you get your air ducts cleaned it can make a difference in yours and your family’s health. A home’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is largely determined by the quality of your home’s HVAC system, which includes the air ducts, filters, grills, and coils. In order to keep your home’s ventilation system in its best shape, learn what you should and should not do in regard to your home’s air ducts.

Dos of the Ducts

  • Do Know the Signs. The state of your air ducts primarily impacts your health and your home’s cleanliness. If you are suffering from a runny nose, sinus infections, a burning sensation in your eyes, or repeated headaches, it may be because of poor IAQ. These symptoms also sound like what happens when you catch a common cold, but you will be able to tell that they are related to IAQ if the symptoms disappear when you leave the indoor area. When your ducts have issues, you may be seeing more dust on furniture and other surfaces. If you just did a deep cleaning and see dust again the next day, you may need to get your air ducts clean.
  • Do Test for Mold. Mold is usually easily identified by its dark spots on surfaces like walls and grout, and when you feel the symptoms of mold exposure you can target where it needs to be eradicated. However, if you are feeling the allergic symptoms commonly caused by mold and you don’t see its tell-tale spots, it may be in your air ducts. To be sure, call an experienced mold inspector to identify any mold-infected areas.
  • Do Prevent Before You Clean. There are possible sources of air pollution that you can impact because they affect your air ducts. Pollutants like stoves, fireplaces, and burning furnaces all contribute to what travels through your ducts, so be aware of how often you use these items and what they are putting into the air. By simply cleaning your home regularly and changing the filters in your HVAC system you can also help keep dirt and water out of your air ducts.

Don’ts of the Ducts

  • Don’t Be an Overzealous Cleaner. After all of these warnings, you may now be thinking that you need to start your mission to get your air ducts clean right away. Keep in mind, however, that air ducts should only be cleaned every three to five years for maximum heating and cooling efficiency. The EPA even recommends that you only have them cleaned when strictly necessary, and that routine cleaning can do more to harm than help.
  • Don’t Use a Spray. Spraying may seem like a quick solution to dirty air ducts, but that is a route the EPA strongly recommends against. Any spray you might use includes chemicals that are harmful to your health, especially when put into a home’s ventilation system. This would just be introducing another pollutant into your home that worsens your air ducts.
  • Don’t Wait. In your day-to-day life, air duct cleanliness may not seem like an important detail, but long-term exposure to harmful pollutants or mold can lead to serious health risks. According to the EPA, poor IAQ is among the biggest threats to our health that are environmentally related.

You know when something feels wrong in your home, but while regular maintenance is easily scheduled into your calendar, air duct cleaning can feel like an anomaly. Stay on top of your clean ducts and you will see the benefits reflected in your health and functionality of your entire home.

Can Proper Insulation Help Reduce Cooling Costs?

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best insulation materialAre you aware of how much money you could be wasting on cooling costs due to poor insulation in your home? Summertime often means cranking the air conditioning in an attempt to stay cool when you’re indoors. But without the proper insulation, your cooled air could be escaping your home, causing your energy bills to increase. In fact, having good insulation in your home can reduce your heating and cooling costs by over 40%. So let’s take a closer look at the relationship between insulation and cooling costs.

What Are Common Causes of Losing Cool Air?

First off, it’s important to understand how air usually escapes in a home. Most of the time, homeowners aren’t even aware that their home is letting out cool air. Some of the most common causes for letting air escape include:

  • Unsealed drafts
  • Leaky ducts
  • Poor insulation
  • Old equipment

While it may seem like insulation has nothing to do with keeping your house cool, it can play a big role in keeping cool air inside. If your attic insulation isn’t sufficient, you have cracks around doors and windows, or your ductwork allows cool air to escape, you could be wasting a lot of money on cooling costs. When cooled air is escaping your home, your cooling system is going to have to work harder to replace the lost air, increasing cooling costs. Fortunately, this is an easy fix.

When you have your home insulation looked at, you may find it needs to be replaced. In this case, it’s important to choose the best insulation material for your home. With the best insulation material and proper installation method, you can have a cool, comfortable home without having to throw money out the window.

When Should You Insulate Your Home?

The most convenient time to insulate your home is when you’re remodeling. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible if you don’t have any plans to renovate anytime soon. In this case, spring or summer is a great time to consider getting new insulation. If you have plans to get your air ducts cleaned, then talking about insulation then could prove to be beneficial. When you have your ducts cleaned and choose the best insulation material for your home, you’ll be able to maximize your cooling system.

So while insulation and cooling costs aren’t always a priority for homeowners, it’s definitely something to keep in mind. With the most reliable insulation OKC can offer, you can rest assured that your home will be cool and your cooling costs will be low.

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Why Is Dryer Vent Cleaning So Important?

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When it comes to cleaning your home, one area that probably slips most homeowners’ minds is the dryer vents. Dryers are important if we want to have dry, clean laundry — but if we neglect the dryer vents, there could be serious problems, including health hazards. The U.S. Fire Administration data shows that each year, there are 2,900 clothing dryer fires in homes that result in an estimated five deaths, 100 people getting injured, and costing $35 million in property damage and loss. So with all of that in mind, it’s important to invest in professional dryer vent cleaning services to avoid some of these common dryer vent problems.

Mold and mildew: Along with fires, another less obvious hazard is the growth of mold and mildew in dryer vents. Both mold and mildew thrive in damp, warm areas — which is exactly what a dryer vent consists of. These fungi can cause serious health problems, like breathing issues, if they’re not taken care off in a timely manner. When a dryer vent system is clogged, it can trap heat and moisture, creating the perfect environment for mold and mildew. But with dryer duct cleaning services, you can ensure your vents are in working condition and remain mold- and mildew-free.

Increased energy use: When dryer vents become clogged with lint and other debris, it can cause limited air flow. While this may not seem like a major problem, restricted airflow can increase the amount of time it takes for clothing to be dried, and therefore increase energy use. The longer the dryer runs with clogged vents, the less efficient the dryer will become. So it’s important to invest in professional dryer vent cleaning services to not only ensure your clothes are getting dried properly but to also ensure you’re not wasting energy.

Carbon monoxide poisoning: Certain dryer models may produce carbon monoxide while running. When the dryer vents are working properly, this odorless, colorless gas is forced out of the home. But if the dryer vents are not cleaned, the gas may not be able to exit the home. This means the carbon monoxide will continue to build up and if left long enough, it can reach dangerous levels and cause harm to those in the home. This is just one of the many reasons to consider dryer vent cleaning services.

While the idea of dryer vent cleaning may not cross your mind, it’s an important task that should be done regularly. Professional dryer vent cleaning services can ensure your dryer is working properly and that you and your family are safe from potential dangers.

3 Types of Dusting to Include In Your Spring Cleaning Routine

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Spring is in full bloom, and many homeowners are well underway with their spring cleaning routines. While most people include dusting in this routine, there are just as many who don’t understand the different types of dusting, as well as how they’re necessary and how they affect your health. But knowing the truth about the importance of all types of dusting can help you plan your spring cleaning routine while prioritizing your dusting and dust mite destruction duties. Here are just a few different types of dusting that are essential to include in your spring cleaning routine.

High/Overhead Dusting

While most people dust the areas that are at or below eye level, not everyone remembers to grab a ladder or step stool and get those pesky, hard-to-reach places, like lights and ceiling fans. This is also true for areas like kitchen cabinet-tops, where dust can accumulate particularly quickly. Don’t let decorations or aversion to using a ladder keep you from dusting those higher up places — just invest in a longer dusting wand designed to reach them, and dust away!

Air Duct Cleaning

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25% to 40% of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. This is partially because contaminants build up in the HVAC system, forcing it to work harder. Improve efficiency for the coming season and remove these contaminants by investing in an air duct cleaning service. Homeowners should have air ducts cleaned every three to five years for maximum cooling and heating efficiency, but efficiency aside, there are human health concerns as well. Contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated five to seven times per day. Over time, this re-circulation will cause a buildup in the duct work, harming residents’ health.

Wall Cleaning

Finally, many homeowners wouldn’t think that much dust could build up on their walls, but they’d be surprised. Take some time to carefully wipe down your walls using a gentle solution of dish soap and water. This is safe with both paint and wallpaper; just be careful not to scrub too hard to avoid causing damage.

Spring cleaning isn’t always easy, but taking your time to complete these specific types of dusting will pay off for both your home and your health. For more information about cleaning air ducts, contact Duct Squads.