Duct cleaning is a process that involves the removal of dust, debris, allergens, bacteria, and other contaminants from the air ducts in your home. It is often recommended for those who suffer from allergies or asthma, as well as those who want to improve the air quality in their home. But what can you expect after duct cleaning?When it comes to duct cleaning, you can anticipate a decrease in the need for dusting. This is because much of the dirt that accumulates inside the air ducts adheres to the surfaces of the ducts and does not necessarily enter the living space.
As a result, you should expect fewer bacteria, dust, mites, and other debris to circulate throughout the house through the duct system. In addition, you may also observe a reduction in reactions to environmental allergies, such as dust, dust mites, pollen, and similar allergens, while inside the house. This is because once everything is out of the ducts, the technician will check and disinfect every corner of your system. This will remove any remaining dust, allergens, or bacteria and create a healthier environment inside the ducts.
The EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only when necessary. However, they do suggest that if you have a furnace, stove, or fireplace that burns fuel, they be inspected for proper functioning and maintained before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. You may want to consider cleaning your air ducts simply because it seems logical that the air ducts will get dirty over time and should be cleaned from time to time. As long as cleaning is done properly, there is no evidence to suggest that such cleaning is harmful.
Whether you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not, it's essential to commit to a good preventive maintenance program to minimize duct contamination. This includes preventing water and dirt from entering the system. On the other hand, if a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning procedures, it can cause indoor air problems. Manufacturers of products marketed to coat and encapsulate duct surfaces claim that these sealants prevent dust and dirt particles inside air ducts from being released into the air. However, there is no evidence to suggest that such products are effective in controlling microbial growth or preventing dirt particles from entering living spaces. Knowledge about cleaning air ducts is in its early stages, so no general recommendation can be offered as to whether you should clean your home's air ducts.
However, if no one in your home has allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, after a visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you see no evidence that the air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold (there is no musty smell or visible mold growth), you probably don't need to clean them. Whether you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not, it's essential to commit to a good preventive maintenance program to minimize duct contamination. This includes preventing water and dirt from entering the system.