Mold Across America - ALLERGIES & YOUR DUCT WORK

WHAT'S IN YOUR DUCTWORK?

LOOK FOR THESE KEY POINTS FOR

PROPER DUCT-CLEANING :::

What kind of heating system/ventilation system do you have?

Do you have air conditioning?

How often are air cleaners in use?

How often are air filters changed or cleaned?

Are special filters such as electric precipitators used?

These questions may vary or be left out according to local practices in different climatic conditions.

Although there is no specific frequency for cleaning your system, it will certainly go longer in between if it is done properly to begin with. Remove a return grille and visually check it with a flashlight and mirror to be sure.
Improved filtration, humidification, and ultraviolet lighting will all add to the length of time between duct-cleaning sessions.
NEW! INTERACTIVE HOUSE

1) Cleanliness is paramount. A good company will put down drop-cloths and wear shoe covers to protect your floors.

2) All registers and cold-air return grilles will be removed so they can be thoroughly scrubbed. (Except where damage would result, such as registers grouted in place in the bathroom.)

3) The openings should be “plugged” to prevent blowing out dust and contaminants as the system is cleaned.

4) Negative pressure will be maintained at all times to prevent cross contamination of other areas.

5) Ductwork should be thoroughly scrubbed, using high-pressure air and brushes (such as rotary brushes).

6) As few openings in the ductwork as possible should be the goal, not “Get it done and get out as fast as possible.” Some firms will drill too many holes to avoid taking off registers and returns – or just because it is faster.

7) Once all ductwork is cleaned, the air handler (furnace) should be cleaned completely. Otherwise you will just re-contaminate the system when you start the system back up.

8) Use of an anti-microbial to sanitize the system is optional, but is often a good method of removing at least some additional bacteria and possibly other contaminants as well.

9) The company should then leave their work area in as good or better condition that what they found it in.

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WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD YOUR DUCT WORK CLEANED PROFESSIONALLY?

Today we can find article after article in our newspapers or on television that reinforces the importance of good indoor air quality.

From 1980 to 1994, asthma increased in our pre-school children by 160 % and in our general population by 75% in the same time period. We learn more each day about those things that impact our lives, such as toxic molds, bacteria, dust mites, cockroach feces, and many other contaminants that can contaminate almost any portion of our homes and/or businesses, but there is one area that spreads contamination quickly. That area is the “lungs” of our home, the heating and cooling system in your home and work environment! Although we consume only three (3) quarts of water each day on average, but we consume fifteen thousand (15,000) to twenty thousand (20,000) quarts of air each day. You would think we would do our best to keep that air clean . . . wouldn’t you? That is what makes “duct-cleaning” so important!

Although there is no specific frequency for cleaning your system, it will certainly go longer in between if it is done properly to begin with. Remove a return grille and visually check it with a flashlight and mirror to be sure. Improved filtration, humidification, and ultraviolet lighting will all add to the length of time between duct-cleaning sessions.

Take a look at our Diagrams by clickingg HERE.

ALL molds reproduce by making "spores." Mold spores are microscopic and only become visible when individual spores accumulate. According to the United States EPA, these microscopic particles continuously move through indoor and outdoor air. When mold spores find moisture indoors, they may "begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive." Molds gradually destroy whatever they are growing on.

MoldAcrossAmerica is not affiliated with any other organization unless specifically stated herein.