Did You Know... Duct Cleaning...

2/15/2017 (Permalink)

Fernandina Beach North Jacksonville Duct Cleaning Services

Duct Cleaning Information

     Unfortunately, there is not a lot of air duct cleaning information out there and people want to know more about home duct cleaning these days due to concerns about indoor air pollution, mold and other allergens. While there is not a lot of duct cleaning information available, there is plenty of information about the dangers of mold, dust and other allergens in the home and one way these substances can be spread and dispersed throughout the home is through the air ducts of a home heating and cooling system.

What is Duct Cleaning?

     Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor air. You have probably seen an advertisement, received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offering to clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home's indoor air quality. These services typically — but not always — cost approximately $35 per vent, depending on:
the services offered:

• the size of the system to be cleaned


• system accessibility


• climatic region


• level of contamination

Does Your Home or Office Need Duct Cleaning?

     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says "you should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:"

• There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:

1. Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.


2. You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation.


3. If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.


4. If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.

• Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects).


• Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

     The EPA also states that "if any of the conditions identified above exists, it usually suggests one or more underlying causes. Prior to any cleaning, retrofitting, or replacing of your ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected or else the problem will likely recur." Contact a professional in this area such as SERVPRO and they can assist in determining cause or causes.

Finding a Duct Cleaning Professional

If you are looking for a home duct cleaning professional for cleaning services or simply for more air duct cleaning information, you want to make sure you find someone qualified. The Environmental Protection Agency offers the following tips:

• Ask professionals if they comply with the standards set by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association.


• Ask professionals if they are certified by the state, if certification is required in your state (it is not required by law in all states).


• Avoid professionals that claim to be certified by the EPA. The Environmental Protection Agency does not certify air duct cleaning professionals.


• Ask for references so you can talk to prior customers to see if they were satisfied with the work they had done.