Five Invaders That Could Be Lurking in Your Air Ducts

Air ducts are responsible for the flow of air throughout your home and play a huge role in whether that air is clean or dirty. Over time, duct work can be the stuff of nightmares, as dust and other particulates accumulate in cracks and crevices you didn’t know existed. There are any number of “nasties” that could be lurking in your air ducts, making any time the right time for professional dryer vent cleaning.

• Dust is comprised of things like dander, minerals, dead skin cells, pollen, and tiny fibers from hair or carpets. It may be most recognizable “nasty” that accumulates in air ducts through the years. Too much dust may cause your HVAC system to run poorly, which can contribute to health problems.
• Allergens from inside or outside your home can exist in air ducts no matter how good your air filter may be. If you have indoor pets, pet dander accumulates in air ducts and your vents. Pollen from outdoors sneaks in through open windows and doors, pets, packages, and visitor’s clothing.
• Pests are another unwelcome nasty to be aware of. A home’s crawlspace or attic are prime nesting grounds for pests like bugs, mice, bats, or small snakes who’ve burrowed their way into air ducts through tiny cracks or openings in the joints between air ducts, particularly in older homes. Pests can also make their way into your home through vents, such as those for dryers or discharge fans.
• Mold, fungi, viruses, and bacteria can accumulate in ductwork over the years. Most of this is caused by high humidity levels in your house allowing water vapor to cling to allergens, dust, and dander. The dark interior of air ducts is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which can be harmful to humans or pets and is the main reason you should work with a professional air duct cleaning company.
• We’ve also seen our fair share of actual water build-up in duct work, often caused by faulty or old plumbing where drips were so mild the homeowner never knew there was a problem. Moisture, of course, can lead to like mold or mildew growth, but also can affect the integrity of metal ducts if the system begins to rust. Water in duct work, if not detected, can also damage the structural integrity of your home. Excess humidity in crawl spaces or the attic or can also foster condensation on the outside and inside of air ducts.

The Advantages of Air Duct Cleaning

Clean and functional air ducts are not only critical to your health and comfort level, but also to your overall impression of your home. What are the other benefits of professional vent cleaning?

• Extend the service life of your HVAC system.
• Better indoor air quality.
• Regular maintenance means your home’s HVAC system will work more efficiently, potentially lowering utility bills and necessitating fewer expensive repairs.
• It’s not unusual for our technicians to discover other potential problems and suggest preventative measures before an issue turns catastrophic.
• Regular air duct cleaning prevents insects and other critters from invading your home.

Go With the Best Dryer Vent Cleaning

When choosing a local air duct cleaning company, there are a number of criteria to base your decision on:

• Price and what you can afford to spend is a key factor in picking the right company, but we strongly recommend not going with the low bidder. The promise of low prices and stacked coupon offers usually indicates a scam, or is a strategy used by a new dryer vent cleaning company that wants to get customers. Be sure to ask what the price does and doesn’t include and compare that with quotes from at least two other companies.
• Online reputation and customer review. Client testimonials on a company website aren't as convincing as comments you'll find on review sites like Google, Yelp, Angie’s List, Porch, and even your local Better Business Bureau. Yes, there are companies that pay for fake positive reviews.
• In general, a reputable air duct cleaning company follows industry-standard procedures: Connecting the cleaning equipment to your HVAC to create suction, going into each vent with agitation or brushing tools and air pressure to clean individual ducts that terminate at the main trunk, cleaning the main trunk, and cleaning returns and afterward the furnace.
• Always ask how much time your air duct cleaning will take, usually a complete air duct cleaning will take more than 2.5 hours. We estimate that a small home up 2,000 sq ft will take this time because there is the setting up, cleaning the HVAC system and wrapping up.
• Licensing and insurance. Whichever company you’re thinking of hiring should provide, without asking, proof of current licensing and insurance. Be sure to look for the expiration date, and any signs the document may be fake.
• Lastly, the level of customer service the company provides, which you can usually determine through first impressions. Did someone answer your initial phone call or email? Was the person friendly and polite? Were all questions answered? Were they knowledgeable? Did they act aggressively? A good company will train all staff on what’s expected for good customer service, and you should know right away the kind of business you’re dealing with.

Choose the Best Air Duct Cleaning Professionals in Arvada and Denver

Steve’s Air Duct Cleaning has served customers throughout Boulder, Denver, Westminster, and other nearby communities for more than 44 years. Drop us a note to ask for more information or call us at (720) 419-7792 to arrange an appointment.