2 Signs You Need To Have Your Home's Air Ducts Professionally Cleaned
When you turn on the central heating or air conditioning system in your house, you may take time to clean the vent grills and wipe out the ducts as far down as you are able to reach. While this can help to a small part of the ductwork clean, there will be a majority of the network that you will be unable to reach.
Over several seasons, the inner sections of the ductwork will eventually have a large buildup of dust, dirt, hair, and other debris that can adversely impact your home's air quality. Below are a couple of signs you can look for which indicate that you need to have your home's air ducts cleaned by a professional.
1. Finding Large Accumulations of Dust, Dirt, and Hair Caught in the Spaces of the Grills Covering the Vents
One sign that your home's air duct system is in need of professional cleaning is when you find large clumps of dust, dirt, and hair caught in the spaces of the grills covering the vents. Even if you know your floor is clean, you will find these accumulations in and around the grills.
As the air flows through ductwork that is overly dirty, it will carry the debris up and through the vent grills where it becomes caught. You may also find that you need to clean more often because of the dirt that escapes the grill and flies throughout the air in your house. A professional service has the necessary tools to reach the dust and dirt deep within the ductwork to help keep this from happening.
2. Detecting a Musty Odor That Gets Stronger Every Time the Central Heat or Air Conditioning Kicks On
Another sign that your home's ducts need cleaning by a professional service is when you detect an unexplainable musty odor in your house. You will find that this smell gets stronger every time the central heat or air conditioning kicks on and runs for a few minutes.
Because condensation will build up within the ductwork, dirty ducts become an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth. If you smell the musty odor, you may already have such growth in your ducts and will need to have a professional clean them to get rid of it.
When you find a large accumulation of dust and dirt on the grills covering your vents and/or detect a musty odor often associated with mold and mildew growth, your home's ducts most likely need to be cleaned out. You may also find that the floors and surfaces of your home are constantly covered with a layer of dust even after you have thoroughly cleaned them. If this is the case, contact a business that offers air duct cleaning services to speak to someone about your options.