When it comes to eliminating musty odors caused by mold, duct cleaning can be a great solution - as long as the source of the mold or moisture is identified and addressed. Bacteria can also be a major source of bad odors, as the amount of dirt and dust that accumulates inside an air duct system can be quite substantial. This waste can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can produce unpleasant smells and have a negative impact on your health. Fortunately, thorough cleaning and disinfection of the air duct system is quite effective in combating bacteria. It's important to note that attempting to clean air ducts with unprofessional tools and techniques is much more likely to damage the air duct and, in general, cost you more money.
Once all of the build-up inside the system has been removed, it's recommended to schedule maintenance appointments for duct cleaning approximately every two years. Without these applications, ducts could easily be reused with what you tried to clean in the beginning. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) conducted a study that found that when duct cleaners also cleaned the fan blades, there was a small reduction in airborne particles. Professional duct cleaning effectively removes all traces of dust, dirt, mold and any other substance that has accumulated in the ducts. There's a lot of useful information about cleaning air ducts available online, especially from reputable sources such as the Environmental Protection Agency. If the ducts are full of dirt, mold or an infestation, cleaning can be very helpful in returning them to a clean state.
It's best to call a professional to clean the ducts of any cigarette smoke residue that may remain. However, once the source of the urine has been eliminated, cleaning the air ducts can help remove dirt from the vents, allowing you to breathe easily again. Air duct cleaning professionals have the necessary skills and knowledge to completely clean ducts from bacteria, parasites, and harmful debris. In view of this, you should always check the cleaning and safety procedures of a duct cleaning company before hiring them. But even if you don't have special health problems, cleaning your ducts may appeal to you on an intuitive level. After analyzing 33 homes in Montreal before and after cleaning the ducts, the study found that there had been no significant improvement in air quality and that cleaning the ducts alone did not improve airflow or energy efficiency. Completing a home remodeling or renovation project (even a small one) is another time when you should consider scheduling a professional air duct cleaning service.
A professional duct cleaning service uses mild chemicals to clean air ducts and a disinfectant solution to remove all original traces of mold and prevent them from growing back in the ducts. When looking for a vent cleaning company to inspect or clean your vents and suspect mold, you'll want to consider the HVAC company's industrial certifications and whether it has the necessary training to deal with mold problems.