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Breathe Easier: Combatting Children's Allergies with Air Duct Cleaning

7074197988 — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 17:50:59 GMT

In today's fast-paced world, ensuring the well-being of our children is a main priority. One often overlooked aspect that significantly impacts children's health is the quality of the air they breathe. As were working our way through changing weather patterns, recent fires, and elevated pollen rates, it becomes crucial to explore how air duct cleaning can play a vital role in reducing allergies and promoting a healthier living environment for our young ones.

* The Impact of Changing Weather:

As weather patterns become more unpredictable, the fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels can create an ideal breeding ground for allergens. Mold and dust mites thrive in these conditions, triggering allergies in children. Regular air duct cleaning acts as a preventive measure, removing accumulated allergens, pollutants and maintaining a controlled indoor environment.

* Battling the Aftermath of Summer Fires:

Last summer, wildfires burned through several areas, leaving behind a trail of smoke and particles. The outcome of these fires can linger in the air, posing a threat to respiratory health, especially for children with allergies. Air duct cleaning helps eliminate these residual particles, ensuring a fresh and clean airflow within the home.

* Rising Pollen Rates and Allergic Reactions:

With pollen rates on the rise, children are more susceptible to allergic reactions. Pollen easily finds its way into homes through open doors and windows. Clean air ducts act as a barrier, preventing the entry and circulation of pollen, thus reducing the risk of allergies in children.

In the battle against children's allergies, dynamic measures are key. Air duct cleaning emerges as a practical solution, addressing the impact of changing weather, the aftermath of summer fires, and diminishing exposure to higher pollen rates. By investing in clean air ducts, we not only provide a sanctuary for our children but also contribute to promote a healthier and happier living environment for the entire family.

Remember, when it comes to the well-being of our loved ones, every breath matters.

The Crucial Role Of Air Duct Cleaning In Enhancing Indoor Air Quality.

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 21:21:40 GMT

The Crucial Role Of Air Duct Cleaning In Enhancing Indoor Air Quality.

Indoor air quality significantly impacts our health and well-being. Often overlooked, the cleanliness of air ducts within a central air system plays a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy living environment. Understanding the importance of regular cleaning and decontamination of these air ducts is paramount for ensuring optimal indoor air quality.

Central air systems circulate air throughout our homes, providing comfort by regulating temperature and distributing conditioned air. However, over time, these air ducts accumulate dust, debris, pet dander, mold, and other contaminants. As air passes through these ducts, these particles are recirculated into our living spaces, potentially affecting indoor air quality.

The problems created by neglected air duct systems;

*Health Implications: Contaminated air ducts can trigger allergies, respiratory issues, and exacerbate existing health conditions. Regular cleaning helps mitigate these risks by reducing the presence of allergens and irritants in the air.

*Energy Efficiency: Clean air ducts contribute to the efficiency of the central air system. Reduced obstructions mean improved airflow, which translates to lower energy consumption and cost savings.

*Mold and Bacterial Growth: Moisture within ducts creates a conducive environment for mold and bacteria. Cleaning eliminates these breeding grounds, preventing potential health hazards.

The impact of clean air ducts on Indoor Air Quality;

*Reduced Allergens: Removing accumulated dust, pet dander, and pollen from ducts minimizes their circulation in the indoor environment, providing relief for allergy sufferers.

*Elimination of Odors: Lingering odors often originate from contaminants stuck in the ducts. Thorough cleaning can eradicate these unpleasant smells, creating a fresher indoor environment.

*Healthier Breathing: Cleaner air ducts mean cleaner air. This directly contributes to improved respiratory health and a more comfortable living space for occupants.

Experts recommend cleaning air ducts every 3 to 5 years, depending on various factors like household size, presence of pets, allergies, and environmental conditions. However, situations like mold growth or excessive debris might necessitate more frequent cleaning.

Clean and decontaminated air ducts are fundamental to maintaining high indoor air quality. Regular cleaning not only improves air circulation but also contributes to the overall health and comfort of your home. By prioritizing the cleanliness of your central air system, you ensure a healthier living environment for you and your family.

Is That Smell Coming From My Air Ducts?

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 23:55:30 GMT

Odor Damaged Central Air System Restoration Process

Central air systems are responsible for circulating air throughout a living space to keep the inhabitants comfortable. At times these systems become damaged with odors that stick to the air ducts and its associated components. Situations such as fires or floods can cause serious odor issues. Other times smells from smoking indoors, pets, rodents, or other smells may be drawn through the return ducts, which over time, contaminate the entire central air system. Odor damaged air ducts can cause quite a problem, as smells are then distributed to the living areas causing discomfort to the inhabitants. Over the years we have ran into this scenario many times, and this is how we restore a complete central air systems to achieve odor neutral status.

In order to restore air ducts and associated components to an odor neutral condition first the entire duct system must have a thorough cleaning. A negative pressure cleaning and associated agitation of the ducts is performed. Once all visible dirt and debris has been removed from the ducts, an odor treatment or oxidizer is applied based on the causes of the smell problem. In the case of fire or flooding problems, the air ducts must be encapsulated in order to ensure no re-occurring smells by re coating or re lining the air duct interiors. Encapsulation should also be considered in cases where strong indoor smoking odors are present.

Next it is of upmost importance that the air handler or furnace be completely cleaned as well. This unit distributes the air through the air ducts and is crucial in solving odor issue. The air handlers blower wheel and casing as well as the evaporator coil and casing should be cleaned and decontaminated in order to assure a proper restoration of the central air system.

Although a time consuming process, these restoration efforts can bring most central air system back to an odor neutral status. This can save considerable money over completely replacing the air ducts, and can often be performed with much less reconstruction than what is required to change air ducts out completely. It is best to consult with our team of professionals, on what would be the best course of action for restoring your central air system if odor damage is present. Air ducts and ventilation system component restoration plays a big role in solving odor issues, however in severe conditions it should be conducted as one part, of the complete odor removal project. Steps such as cleaning and painting of walls, carpet replacements, and treatment of porous surfaces, etc. should all be performed when completely eliminating odors from an indoor area.

How Often Should I Change My Central Air System Filters?

Thu, 19 May 2022 21:08:18 GMT

When To Change Central Air Filters And Tips For Doing It Yourself.

Central air system filters, also known as furnace filters, are a maintenance item which is commonly over looked in a home maintenance plan. The air filters are responsible for filtering the air from the return ducts, in order to protect the furnace or air handlers' blower motor and evaporator coil. Dust, dirt, pet dander, and other debris are held back, most effectively by a filter in good working condition. There are several filter choices, sizes, and varying locations of filter placement in the central air system.

Today we will discuss disposable air filters which contain fiberglass, pleated, electrostatic, or high efficiency pleated filter media.

*Location*

Air filters will be located in the return air duct tract, before the air handler unit. The most common placement is directly before the air handler, either inside the blower compartment, or in a filter opening on the outside of the air handler. Look for a small access door, or a metal cover that slides on and off the duct to cover the air filter completely. The next most common placement is generally used when air handlers are located in an attic. To prevent the need of going into the attic every time a filter change is necessary, the filter or filters are placed at the return opening located in the ceiling of the living space. These are usually large, oversized diffusers, with metal tabs. When the tabs are pulled to the open position, the diffuser hinges downward, exposing the air handlers' filter. There is also filter placement which is in the return plenum, close too, but not directly before the air handler.

If the filter is not in the placement mentioned above, follow the entire return plenum leading to the air handler, looking out for a filter service port along the way.

*Filter Size*

Various filter sizes are used from system to system and are measured by height, length, and width. If you look at an air filter for example, it will be labeled say, 16x20x1. Our example size translates to 16 inches tall, 20" deep when installed into the filter slot, and 1" of thickness. If you have a used filter from your system, and the fitment was correct for the filter slot, buy a replacement filter of the same dimensions. For filter that are loose in the filter slot allowing unfiltered air around it, or for a non existing filter, the filter slot will have to be measured to determine the correct fitting filter size. Measure the filter slot for height, length or depth, and width. (The most common widths for residential filters are 1" and 4")

*Effective Rating*

Air Filter rating is another consideration when shopping for replacements. Filter media density and effectiveness, are measured in a MERV rating (minimum efficiency reporting value),on a 1-16 scale. The lower the number the less density of filter media, while the highest number pertains to the thickest and most dense filter. A filter with a high MERV rating will provide the best results holding back dirt, pollen, dust, etc., however this filter will be the most restrictive in terms of air flow to the air handler. On the other hand a lower MERV rating will provide better airflow, while sacrificing the ability to hold dirt and debris due to its less dense media. It is best to consult with a professional if you are having trouble figuring out which rating works best with your furnace or air handler.

* When Change It*

The timing of changing your air filters varies as with filter size, rating, and conditions of usage. A general rule of thumb for residential settings is that, a 1" filter should last one to three months of service. 4" filters should last between four and six months of service before needing replacement. Conditions such as high outdoor dust and pollution, pets, number of inhabitants in the home, and how clean the air ducts are, will all play a role in air filter lifespan expectance.

*How To Change It*

To change the air filter first follow these simple steps:

1.)Turn the air handler to the off position at the thermostat.

2.) Find the filter access location and pull off the filter cover or access door.

3.) Pull the air filter straight out. Certain air filters may become stuck when removing. Run a flat blade screwdriver along the left and right edges to assist in removing the filter if necessary.

4.) Remove the filter from its packaging. slide the new filter back into the slot, with the AIRFLOW arrow pointed to the furnace. This arrow, usually signifies stronger bracing to prevent pulling the media into the blower motor as it gets dirty and restricted.

5.) Replace filter cover if applicable

6.) Turn the air handler to the on position at the thermostat.
Your air filter change is complete! Also buying filters in bulk can save you money.

What Is The Best Way To Clean Air Ducts?

Wed, 18 May 2022 04:20:29 GMT

Air Duct Cleaning Methods Used In The Industry

Today we discuss a question which our team gets often. What is the best way to clean air ducts? This question will be answered, and some incorrect methods used to clean ducts will also be discussed. Cleaning the air ducts on a central air system consists of these key steps. Making access into the air ducts, placing the entire air duct system under negative pressure, loosening the dirt and debris from the air duct interior and into the negative pressure collection unit, and the application of antimicrobial sprays if applicable. Over the years, our team has encountered different methods of cleaning being used. We have seen issues with these cleaning systems and tactics. Lets take a minute to review these methods.

* Rotating Brush On The End Of A Vacuum Hose*

This is a process of cleaning air ducts by which a hose with a high speed spinning brush on the end, is shoved into the vent or return. The hose is pushed through the duct as far as it will reach. This process is repeated through every vent and return to clean the air duct system, however, we see several drawbacks with this method of cleaning. First, a high speed spinning brush can catch (frequently encountered), construction material in its bristles. Debris such as nails, staples, drywall cutting blades, ect. are now being slung around at high speed with the brush head. This debris has the potential to cause major damage to flexible and fiberboard ducts, before being noticed by the operator. Getting the spinning brush caught onto the electrical wires found in return ducts is another consideration. Bulky brush on hose equipment is also ineffective at maneuvering the bends often found in air duct systems. If stuck at a bend and pushed to hard to clear the turn, damage to the air ducts is also a real possibility. Finally there is the lack of vacuum power, which is usually the equivalent of a shop vac. This equipment can not properly prevent recontamination of already cleaned ducts, completely remove all material loosened during air duct cleaning, and certainly cannot be relied on to effectively clean the large plenums/ trunk lines of an air duct system.

* Vacuum Hose And Blown Air*

This cleaning method relies on pushing a 1 1/2"-2" vacuum hose into the vent or return. Next an air line is pushed through the duct in hopes of pulling the material back into the vacuum hose. As with the last method of cleaning, we run into the issue of insufficient vacuum power. The small diameter hose using a shop vac. style vacuum, or carpet cleaning machine cannot offer enough suction to properly pull all loosened material from the air duct system. And again, we run into the problem of not enough vacuum power to properly clean the large duct plenums, and cross contamination due to the lack of a constant negative pressure pull. Second we have the problem of incorrectly and ineffectively, loosening the dirt and debris from the duct sidewalls. Compressed air alone will remove some build up, however it doesn't provide adequate results on systems with moderate to heavy build up, or hard stuck on dirt and debris typically found in air duct systems.

* Negative Pressure Cleaning*

The method used by Specialty Air Ducts is the negative pressure cleaning, which provides the best results and is known to produce the best results in the air duct cleaning industry. First the entire air duct system is placed under negative pressure/ constant vacuum pull, at a location near the furnace or air handler, using a Power Vacuum system. Next pneumatic whip agitators are sent through the vent and return branches one by one. The pneumatic whip system creates a brushing action, while not using a conventional brush with bristles, and doesn't spin while doing its job. Instead it relies on pneumatic pressure to power tentacles on a very slim and semi flexible rod which can be snaked through the entire length of most all air ducts. This loosens all material while blowing the dirt and debris into the negative pressure stream for collection. The process is repeated through all vents and returns, and an antimicrobial, sanitizer, or deodorizer may be applied to the air duct system. All material collected in the plenums will be agitated and pushed or pulled into the negative pressure collection unit. Included in our cleaning methods is hand brushing and vacuuming of all vent and return covers or diffusers. All access points created to complete the service, are to be sealed air tight upon completion of the cleaning.

Our company has heard of other methods but to keep the article brief we covered the most commonly used processes. We understand choosing an air duct cleaning service can be a confusing task. Not all companies are cleaning air ducts using the same methods or equipment. Whether you are planning to hire us for the cleaning or are just gathering information, we hope that this article has been informative. Our purpose for answering this frequently asked question is to enlighten consumers on the proper method for air duct cleaning. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision when hiring an air duct cleaning company, and for you to have actual data by which to compare when shopping for this service.

The Importance Of Dryer Vent Cleaning.

Mon, 09 May 2022 03:04:20 GMT

Dryer Vents Are A Crucial Part Of A Home Maintenance Plan.

Dryer vents are a critical part of any home or building maintenance plan. Your clothes dryer runs often, producing super heated exhaust air while accumulating lint build up. Often times the lint filter located in the dryer is cleaned but the vent to the outside is overlooked. Many clients have even replaced dryers prematurely due to poor performance, only to find out that the dryer was not actually the problem. Below are some reasons why dryer vents are a good idea to keep clean.

Fire hazards.

Dryer vents which are clogged with lint and debris are a serious fire hazard. As stated by the U.S. Fire Administration clothes dryers are responsible for more than 15,000 structure fires per year with the vast majority (80%) due to clogged dryer vents. This is a serious issue that can be prevented with yearly dryer vent cleaning.

Air quality issues also arise from clogged dryer vents as fumes which should be directed outside can now be forced into your home. Gases and carbon monoxide could potentially be forced into your home creating an unsafe situation for your family.

2. Poor Dryer Performance

Clogged dryer vents aren't just a fire hazard, they also cause poor dryer performance. Situations may occur where multiple cycles are needed to dry a load of laundry. This not only wastes valuable time by increasing the time it takes to dry, but also uses much more energy than necessary to complete the task at hand. Clean dryer vents save money on the electric bill.

3. Equipment Failures

Equipment can and will fail from clogged dryer vents. Major strain is placed on the dryers vital components when the extremely hot exhaust air cannot get out. This is compounded by the need to run extra cycles to dry a load of laundry. Often manufacturer warranties will not cover failures due to neglected dryer vents.

4. Moisture Accumulation

When a dryer is not allowed to properly exhaust the moisture found in drying cycles another issue arises. Wet spots occur in the dryer vent. These wet spots become puddles of water, which can leak out of the dryer vent line. Depending on the configuration of the dryer vent this leaking water can damage drywall and ceilings. Wet lint also makes a dryer vent cleaning much more difficult to clean properly than dry lint.

Dryer lint filters should be cleaned before every load. Dryer vents should be cleaned yearly and are cheap insurance towards preventing more severe problems that occur from neglected maintenance.

2. Poor Dryer Performance

Clogged dryer vents aren't only a fire hazard.

logged

Does This Duct Look Clean To You?

Thu, 05 May 2022 02:12:02 GMT

Don't Get HOSED!!

The purpose of this blog is to bring awareness to a situation that we have seen occurring for years, where consumers have been taken advantage of. These practices are unscrupulous and have no place in our service industry. Our local "competitor" won't be mentioned by company name as this is for informational purposes only. The company will be referred to as xyz. Our clients name will be changed to Jane to protect her identity.

If you saw the picture above you would believe that these ducts have never been cleaned, or its been a long time since they were cleaned. What if I told you that Jane paid company xyz, over $1,300 dollars at her small ranch home about 3 months ago to clean her ducts? The story starts with Jane finding a coupon for what she thought was a very reasonable rate. She calls xyz, books an appointment and waits 1 month for her appointment. The day of the service, a person pulls up to her driveway in an unmarked mini van, an un uniformed man informing Jane that he was the air duct cleaner. Jane shows the xyz serviceman around the home. He later sets up a shop vac style machine with hose on it and starts cleaning. Later he returns and he tells Jane he has bad news. The cleaning would need an entire page of add-ons not covered by the coupon, and they were urgent. Her family and children would not be safe without the extra items not covered by the coupon as they are "major health deterrents" he tells her. Not knowing any better, not understanding the add-ons, and without time to hire another company Jane gives the go ahead on about $950 worth of additional services.

Now its time for the cleaning. The serviceman turns on his vacuum and sends a small hose down the vents, blows air into the returns with the covers still on, blowing dirt and dust all over Jane's home. Jane recalls the man going room to room repeating this, then goes to the basement. 10 minutes after being in the basement he say "ok all done"! Wow after only one and a half hours he is done. When Jane questions if he was really done the man answers " well yea it is a very small house after all". Jane had her doubts but paid and the man left. When her husband arrived, he pulled apart various vent and return covers which showed not much of anything had been accomplished. All the ducts were still dirty and the picture above is of the plenum located in the basement (taken by Specialty Air Ducts). They immediately called back xyz who sent another serviceman 3 weeks later. He "recleaned" everything. Another inspection revealed not much had changed. Jane called xyz again, this time demanding a refund. Management at xyz became very angry and unprofessional, claiming Jane was trying to rip them off! They stated they couldn't possibly refund her money due to many excuses, but they would do a partial refund and avoid the courtroom. At the end of it all, Jane paid to have no results and had to pay again to have it done right.

Jane then called Specialty Air Ducts and we were able to get the ducts cleaned properly the first time. Unfortunately we run into this scenario various times a year. We hope that putting a spotlight on this issue will help consumers make a more informed decision when choosing an air duct cleaning provider. A few tips to choosing the duct cleaner are:

A legitimate company will invest in professional and well identified service trucks.
Is the company licensed and insured?
Service providers who care about image will have uniformed technicians.
The technician should be able to explain the exact process to be performed before work is started.
Cleaning process. During the cleaning process all vents, returns, and plenums should be cleaned by sending agitation tools through the entire duct while the duct is under negative pressure vacuum pull. No dirt or debris should be visible during a visual inspection of the duct.
Equipment capable of properly cleaning air ducts. No a shop vac hose shoved down a duct will not clean it. No blowing air into the cover of a duct will not clean it. No you can not clean the plenum/ trunk lines by running a hose into the vents or returns. Yes an improper cleaning can cause more harm than not cleaning the ducts at all. Systems using a vacuum hose with a brush on the front can not possibly make it through all the bends in a duct system, and can cause major problems with certain duct systems.
Does the cleaning take 2 hours or less? If so, its is likely the service may not have been performed properly.
Does the duct cleaner offer a guarantee on the provided service?
Are they using scare tactics when proposing extra work?
Does the duct cleaner purposely use prices below the national average to get in the door, then raise the price exponentially?
Review in detail the reviews of the company your are considering hiring. Many times reviews will reveal issues with the service that you may otherwise not have know.

Remember, if a company shows up and you are not comfortable with what you see or hear, you are not obligated to continue. Sometimes spotting red flags and stopping this process at the door can be the best way to avoid "getting hosed".

For more information about our air duct cleaning processes and procedures, visit our faq page.

Air Duct Encapsulation Service

Wed, 04 May 2022 20:42:51 GMT

Air Duct Encapsulation/ re-coating application

As air ducts age, problems can begin to occur, especially in the plenums also referred to as main ducts. Galvanized sheet metal air ducts may begin to flake. This flaking usually occurs due to oxidation from constant moisture being run over the duct. Over years of use, the galvanized coating breaks down and exposes the ducts metal to moisture creating oxidation. This causes flaking of the duct, which then is blown through the central air system and into the living space causing what may appear to be dust issues or larger pieces of debris coming from the ducts.

Another commonly used material for the plenums of air duct systems is fiberboard ducts. Fiberboard is constructed of compressed resin bonded glass fibers. The interior of fiberboard uses a seal coating to prevent fiber glass particles from being spread through the central air system. The exterior uses a foil face which creates an air and water vapor barrier. Over the years the interior lining of fiberboard ducts may begin to deteriorate. The tough conditions of constant moisture from the a/c system running, as well as the dessert like conditions of heating cycles take a real toll on the fiberboard's interior lining. Deterioration or mold problems can call for an encapsulation re-coating of the air ducts.

Encapsulation coating application to the interior of air ducts may be useful and/or necessary for various reasons.

- To prevent the circulation of fiberglass particles into the indoor air on systems which use ducts made of fiber board.

- To re-coat the interior of ducts which have been contaminated with mold or mildew and prevent further recontamination

- To re-adhere fiberglass damaged by aging and deteriorating ducts

- To prevent the circulation of rust or oxidation particles into indoor air from metal ducts which are deteriorating

- To remove heavy odor from air duct systems such as prolonged cigar or cigarette smoke odors as well as odors from fire damage.

Encapsulation is a cost effective way of improving indoor air quality, and/or repairing and restoring air ducts which may otherwise need to be replaced entirely.

Once applied, the encapsulation coating dries to form a durable, flexible, moisture-resistant protective coating that minimizes dirt buildup on the coating surface.

Actual cost of encapsulating air ducts varies greatly, but expect to invest upwards of $300 for an average one unit, one zone air duct plenum re-coating. Air ducts must always be cleaned prior to encapsulation coating application.

5 Signs You Need to Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 16:09:56 GMT

Most people don't think about their air ducts until there is a problem. If you're noticing that your home isn't feeling as fresh as it used to, or if you've been dealing with unexplained allergies, it might be time for a home air duct cleaning . Here are signs that you need to have your air ducts cleaned:

1. Unpleasant Odor From Ducts

An unpleasant smell emanating from your air ducts shows that something is not right. Over time, dirt, dust, and other debris can build up in the ducts, causing a musty smell. A professional home air duct cleaning will remove all built-up debris and leave your home smelling fresh and clean.

2. Visible Mold Growth

Mold is a serious problem that should be addressed immediately. If you see visible mold growth on or around your air ducts, it's a sign that the ducts are not properly sealed and that humid air is leaking in. This can cause various health problems, so it's important to have the issue fixed as soon as possible.

3. Infestations of Rodents and Pests in Your Air Ducts

It's a red flag if you start to notice rats or insects in your house. This can be a serious problem, as rodents and pests can carry diseases. In addition, they can cause damage to your ductwork by chewing on the insulation. If you see any evidence of rodents or pests in your home, it's important to have your air ducts cleaned and inspected as soon as possible.

4. Excess Dust in Your Home

With time, dust will build up in your home, regardless of how clean you keep it. However, if you detect an excessive amount of dust in your house, it indicates that your air ducts require cleaning. According to the American College of Allergists, 20% of all illnesses are caused or exacerbated by indoor air pollution. In addition to causing allergies, excess dust can also cause respiratory problems. It's time to clean your air ducts if you're seeing a lot of dust in your house.

5. Your Home Isn't Heating or Cooling Evenly

In case you have a central heating and cooling system, your air ducts play a vital role in distributing the conditioned air throughout your home. If your home isn't being heated or cooled evenly, it's a sign of an issue with your air ducts. This can be caused by various factors, including leaks, blockages, or damage to the ductwork. If you're having difficulty maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home, it's time to have your air ducts inspected.

As you can see, there are several signs that you need to have your air ducts cleaned. If you're experiencing any of these problems, it's important to call a professional air duct cleaning company as soon as possible. They will be able to inspect your ductwork and clean it properly, ensuring that your home is fresh and comfortable. Call us today to schedule a home air duct cleaning.