The end of spring brings warmer weather, copious blooming flowers, the return of insects, and porch weather. It’s also the time of year for many seasonal allergy triggers. When you have allergies, the last thing you want is to come home to your sanctuary, only to be sneezing and rubbing your eyes inside too.
We typically recommend cleaning your air ducts every one to two years to prevent build-ups. However, if you have allergies or sinus issues, we recommend once per year duct cleanings too prevent that itchy, runny nose feeling–especially in the mornings.
Allergy Triggers Collect in Your Air Ducts
Have you ever wondered what collects in your household air ducts? When you think of the amount of dirt, food crumbs, pet dander, and hair you sweep up on a daily basis, it’s not hard to imagine the dust and debris that is collecting inside your air ducts and impacting the indoor air quality of your home.
Signs that You May Have Dirty Air Ducts
If you don’t have allergies, but you find yourself sneezing, coughing, or have eye irritations in your home, the cause might be poor air quality. If you maintain a clean home but still experience reactions, the culprit might be dirty air ducts. In general, we recommend that our customers have their air ducts cleaned every one to two years for quality air or more frequently, depending on your level of sensitivity.
Some common symptoms caused by poor indoor air quality can include:
- Irritation of eyes, nose, throat, skin,
- Coughing, sneezing, or feeling fatigue,
- Headaches,
- and/or Nasal congestion.
Many of these symptoms overlap with other causes, making it difficult to determine the exact cause, especially for individuals with allergies. But if your symptoms are new and happen primarily while inside your home, you might want to schedule an appointment to have your air ducts professionally cleaned, especially if it’s been more than two years since the last cleaning. Or if you’re moving into a new home.
How Does Duct Cleaning Work?
At Clean Air Solutions, we use a specialized duct vacuum with suction power strong enough to pull dust and debris down to the furnace, leaving virtually no mess behind in the air ducts. We always perform a second cleaning to prevent dust swarming into your home once your furnace or a/c is turned on.
The average duct cleaning appointment takes between two and three hours to complete a thorough, clean job. The first time you turn on the furnace after the cleaning, there may be an initial vacuum smell that will quickly dissipate. You’ll be able to notice a significant difference in air quality within a few minutes.
How to Prevent Debris Build-Up in Air Ducts
In between professional duct cleaning, there are a few steps you can take to prevent excess debris and other allergens from building up. You can vacuum your floors on a regular basis, especially if you have pets, to prevent dander and hair falling into the air ducts. You can also change the air filters on your furnace every two to three months to ensure dust is collected efficiently and not sent back into the ducts. If you plan on any home improvements, you can cover the air vents with plastic sheeting
