A regular cleaning regimen for our homes helps ensure we live in a healthy and comfortable environment. However, we sometimes overlook some areas of the house when giving the interiors a good cleaning – chief among them being the air vents and ducts.
So, as you scope out professional air duct cleaning services in Portland area or beyond, here’s something you should know: air ducts act as the lungs of your home, and as such, they are constantly pumping air in and out. Over time, this process can result in a build-up of dust, pollen, and other allergens in the ductwork. This can be detrimental to your health and may negatively affect the air quality in your home. In short, your air vents and ducts help maintain healthy indoor air quality.
Well then, how do you know it’s time to hire professionals to spruce up your vents and ducts? If you notice any of the following signs, you might want to reach for your phone and call a pro:
Excessive Dust in Your Home
Sure, dust does tend to find a home in our interior spaces. And most people do their best to ensure it doesn’t build up. But if you notice that despite your best attempts, there’s an excessive amount of dust in your home – particularly in areas near your vents’ locations – it could mean you need professional assistance to take care of the situation.
Debris in Your Vents
Every once in a while, take a peek at your vents. It might be time for a cleanup exercise if you see any cobwebs or debris. Also, it’s not uncommon for critters such as rats to use your ducts as a highway into your home.
And when they do, they’ll leave their droppings on the way. These could be a dead giveaway that you might be dealing with a more significant issue, such as an infestation. Anyway, the build-up of dust, dirt and other debris can impact your home’s air quality. Plus, it’s plain gross.
Respiratory Issues that Worsen Over Time
There’s no doubt that the build-up of debris can cause allergies and other respiratory issues. But if such health problems seem to worsen whenever your loved ones spend time in the home, consider calling in a professional air and duct cleaner ASAP. Chances are that your vents are blowing dust or dirt into your home, exacerbating respiratory problems.
Inefficient Air Conditioner or Furnace
We depend on our AC or furnaces to keep us comfortable year-round. At first blush, you might not notice that your AC isn’t running efficiently, but usually, a few tell-tale signs could point out the gravity of your situation, including:
- Spiking energy bills
- Constantly having to adjust your thermostat
- Uneven heating or cooling in your home
Here’s what happens: Built-up debris may clog your air ducts or vents, causing your HVAC system to work harder to pump out air. As a result, your energy bills increase, and you have a trying time maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home. Hence, if your HVAC system isn’t doing as well as it used to, dirt in your ducts or vents could be the culprit.
Visible Mold on Air Vents or Ducts
A random inspection could also reveal other potential issues. For instance, seeing visible mold on or around your air vents or ducts points to a bigger problem. In this case, the mold spores could make their way into your home through the vents, impacting your health.
Or, the ductwork could be damaged, which is also a cause for concern. A professional can help you determine the source of the problem and offer a solution.
Recent Renovations
If you’ve recently renovated your home, there’s a good chance that dust and other debris have made their way into your air ducts. This is especially true if you have had any drywall work done. Either way, cleaning your air ducts after a renovation project is advisable.
You Have pets
Their shed fur can quickly get into your air ducts and start to build up over time. When this occurs, it can be a fire hazard. Plus, it can cause air quality issues. As such, it helps to have a pro regularly clean the ducts and vents to avert potential allergies, respiratory problems, and fire hazards.
Hiring a professional to regularly clean your air vents and ducts is a great way to ensure optimal air quality in your home. If you notice any of these signs, give a pro cleaner a call so they can assess and deal with the situation. Only then can you be sure you’ve checked all the boxes and your home is spick and span – especially by tackling the hard-to-see-or-reach areas.
