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8 Signs Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning

8 Signs Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning

The air ducts in your home are a vital part of the HVAC system. Dirty air ducts can lead to poor indoor air quality, which is not just unpleasant but also unhealthy, so if you are asking yourself, “how do I know if my air ducts need to be cleaned.  Here are eight signs that your vents need cleaning:

1. Mold is growing in your vents

You should be able to see mold with the naked eye, but you may need a flashlight or someone to help. Mold can be black, white, or greenish and will look like clumps of dirt buildup. You will have quite a few problems if there is mold growth as it becomes dangerous for your health and makes allergies worse.

2. You can smell dust or strange smells coming from your vents

When you are in other rooms, it’s hard to miss a bad odor that is constantly coming out of the vents. It will be very smelly and may even lead to allergies or an unpleasant smell around your home. You will have to clean them as soon as possible but don’t forget to wear a mask and gloves. A strange odor is one of the signs your air ducts need cleaning.

3. You are getting strange allergy symptoms

If you feel like sneezing all the time or have constant headaches, it’s likely that your air ducts are dirty and need proper cleaning. You may not even be aware of the pollutants in your homes, such as dust, mold, and mildew, and without a proper system cleaning, you are likely to have respiratory problems.

4. You’ve had recent maintenance or construction work done

Sometimes when big repairs are made, the ventilation system is not working properly as it should be. Contractors sometimes leave vents open while they do their job, and if there is a leak, it will cause dust to spread around the ventilation system. You can avoid this from happening by making sure that you close off your vents with duct tape while contractors are present and then clean them when the job is done.

5. You have water leakage in your home

Leaks could be coming from your air ducts if there is water damage in your walls, ceiling, or foundation of the home. This is also how to tell if your ducts need cleaning immediately, as it will only make things worse if you don’t act fast enough.

6. You have pets in the household

Dogs and cats shed all year round, so there are always hairs flying around your home. If you have pets, it’s likely that your air ducts are dirty because they shed their hair and skin into the ventilation system. Even if you don’t have pets, chances are there is pet hair in your system, so you need to clean them regularly to prevent allergies and blockages.

7. You get respiratory problems too often

If you have allergies or asthma, it’s likely that your air ducts are dirty. You should get them cleaned to remove the molds and mildew buildup to improve your breathing condition. It also prevents dust from circulating in your home, which can aggravate respiratory problems like asthma or allergies.

8. You are experiencing short circuits frequently

If there are cracks or holes in your home, water could get into your air ducts, leading to an electric short circuit. When this happens, it will result in a fire which may damage other parts of the house, so it is important to clean and seal any cracks on a regular basis.

Check this article on  Top 15 Reasons To Clean Your Ducts! from an expert in duct cleaning in Atlanta.