If you’re noticing dark rings around your ceiling vents or experiencing diminished air quality, it may be time for some proactive cleaning. It’s important to regularly clean your vents, as dust and dirt can collect and be recirculated throughout the home. In addition to keeping the air in your home fresh, it also helps keep your HVAC system working properly. While some experts suggest that you clean your vents every six months, it’s a good idea to do so at least once per year.
Dirty air vents vent cleaning in des moines can cause a number of health issues, including respiratory problems and allergic reactions. However, cleaning your air vents is a project that you can easily do yourself if you follow these steps:
Before you begin, make sure that the thermostat and your furnace are turned off. You’ll also want to wear a mask to avoid inhaling the dust and debris. You’ll also need a step stool or ladder to access high wall and ceiling vents. It’s best to have a helper available as well, especially if you need to use the ladder to reach ductwork located in hard-to-reach areas.
Start by removing one of your air vent covers in each room. If you see a thick coat of dust, hair and fluff under the cover, this is a good indication that your ductwork needs to be cleaned. You should first determine whether the duct is a return or supply duct. To do this, simply place a tissue over the vent and if it sticks, it’s a return duct; if it blows off, it’s a supply duct.
A licensed air duct cleaner will then use one of two methods to clean your ducts. The first, called the source removal method, involves sweeping and air-sweeping the ductwork while a vacuum collection device removes the dislodged contaminants. This method is recommended for systems that have moderate levels of contamination.
The other method is a negative-air method that uses compressed air to blow the contaminants off of the inside of the ducts. After the ducts are thoroughly cleaned, they are wiped down with a rag and resealed.
Before a certified professional begins the cleaning process, you should make sure that your air conditioner and furnace are turned off. Additionally, you should make sure that any pets or plants are kept away from the area. The air ducts can be contaminated with bacteria, fungus, and other types of mold that are harmful to your health.
Once the cleaning is complete, your technician will seal and reseal each duct before replacing the vent covers. They will also inspect the ductwork and repair any leaks or kinks that they notice. In addition, they will replace the air filters in your furnace and AC.
It’s important to note that some service providers may propose applying chemical biocides to the interior of your ductwork as a means of killing germs and preventing future biological growth. These biocides and other chemical treatments have not been fully tested for safety or effectiveness. For this reason, it’s recommended that you always consult a qualified, NADCA-certified professional to determine the pros and cons of allowing them to apply such chemicals to your air ducts.