Indoor air quality can refer to the quality of the air within a structure or building, also in relation to the occupant’s health and their level of comfort. Also known as IAQ, it can be affected by various gases which include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), radon, particulates, carbon monoxide as well as microbial contaminants like bacteria and mold.
When there is a problem with the IAQ or there is the presence of Sick Building Syndrome, indicators such as coughs, fatigue, odors, headaches, dizziness, difficulty in concentrating as well as eye, nose and throat irritation will begin to surface. When these indicators start to take effect, the HVAC system and its relevant air ducts have to be cleaned professionally. However, this maintenance routine and the need for adequate air filtration are often being ignored.
Many homeowners do not think about the condition of their home’s air ducts until something bad happens. They are also not very well aware of the possible health risks that these problematic ducts entail. Like most appliances that can be found within a home, air ducts have to clean regularly to ensure optimal indoor air quality. Another thing is that many homeowners do not realize that a majority of air duct filters do not filter a lot of air pollutants.
Smog, dust and other types of pollution can accumulate within the dirty ducts which are then picked up by the gusts of air and circulated around the house. That being said, the air quality inside some houses can even be worse than the outdoors. If air ducts are neglected, a homeowner may not know if small animals such as squirrels managed to find their way into the ducts and get trapped in the process. If these critters are left for dead, a terrible stench will quickly fill up the house. With this information in mind, it is pertinent to facilitate air duct cleaning services at the right intervals to improve or maintain your indoor air quality.
In most cases, the cleaning process will begin by running a vacuum hose from a power vac system directly to your home’s furnace (commercial properties are also similar). This starting process essentially transforms your HVAC duct-work into a vacuum. Air registers will be returned from every vent using an internal duct cleaning device. The device consists of brushes that loosen anything small debris that may get stuck within the walls of the air ducts. The remaining contaminants will then be extracted from your home so no dirt or dust left within your system. This is basically the cleanest and most effective way to service a home’s ducts.
Without any prior experience and the right cleaning tools, it is impossible to perform the job well and can take up a significant amount of your time. Quick cleaning jobs are often insufficient to remove all the accumulated dirt too. Hence, it is imperative that a duct cleaning professional is called in to clean the ducts thoroughly.