Five More Major Reasons Your Ducts Should be Cleaned

4/26/2019 (Permalink)

Air Ducts may attract debris and toxins from home renovations, unwanted animals and pets, all of which should be removed with regular cleanings.

In addition to the usual reasons for having your air ducts cleaned on a regular basis, following are five more reasons you would want to schedule this service:

• Renovation:If your home has been remodeled – especially if a remodel included asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, or significant dust – your ductwork should be cleaned following the remodel. Ducts should be sealed off during home renovations. If they haven’t been sealed, dangerous dust and debris will quickly become lodged inside the ductwork.

• Animals: If there is clear evidence of animal infestation or nesting in your ducts or HVAC system, have the animals removed then clean the ductwork and HVAC unit.
• Mold: If there is visible mold growth inside your ductwork, the mold should be mitigated and followed by a thorough cleaning of the ductwork and HVAC system.
• Contaminants: If noticeable debris, pet hair, odors, or other contaminants are being released into the room through the ducts after the registers have been cleaned and vacuumed; then the ducts may need to be cleaned.
• Illness: If someone in your family is suffering from an unexplained allergy-related illness, and you’ve taken every other possible step to decontaminate your home, you may want to consider having your ducts cleaned to see if the HVAC system was the culprit.

 At SERVPRO of The East End, we have been cleaning air ducts for residential and commercial properties for over 40 years. Our team of professionals are IICRC trained and certified and we have state-of-the-art machinery to get the job done quickly and efficiently so you can get back to the business of your life. it is just one of many services we provide to keep you and your family safe. 

Call SERVPRO of The East End at 631-653-9595 with any questions or to schedule an appointment. We look forward to working with you!

Five Signs Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning

4/3/2019 (Permalink)

What's Living In Your Air Ducts?

Keeping All of Your Ducts in a Row.

Do you notice little wisps of dust puffing out from an air duct every time you turn on your home's heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system? Can you see dust and pet hair trapped in the vent? Is there a layer of dust coating the grill on the return air registers? Any one of these signs may be indications that the duct work in your home or business is due for a cleaning.

Dust regularly collects inside your HVAC system on air duct surfaces, vents, motors, and coils. Flakes of dead skin, hair, and pet dander catch onto the dust, creating a build-up, and before long this process causes a dense, mat-like environment where bacteria, mold, dust mites, allergens and other toxins flourish. Air filters remove most of these from the air stream, but not all parts of the HVAC system. That's why it's important to periodically check the condition of your air ducts to see if they could use duct cleaning services

The Top 5 Indicators That You Have Dirty Ducts

1. Open one of your vent covers and look inside. Check to see if it contains any dirt, debris, or matted dust.

2. Examine the return air registers for dust buildup, particularly if you see thick, fuzzy coatings of dust. 

3. Pull out the air filter. If the air filter is clogged with dust, the air flow is being choked off. This allows more dust to settle and build up in the return ductwork.

4. Open the furnace compartment. Examine the blower fan and motor for signs of dust as well as the furnace controls. The more dust you see, the bigger the problem you have.

5. Look at the air conditioning coil. (You may need to remove a panel.) If the coil is dusty or has dust clinging to the housing walls, this is an indication that the air filter hasn't been working properly.

Any of these red flags show that your HVAC system and ductwork is being adversely affected by too much dust and dirt.

Top 5 Dirty Consequences

So what’s the trouble with a little dirt, you might ask? There are a number of problems resulting from dirty ducts, ranging from increased energy costs to health problems:

1. Dirt and dust restrict your HVAC system's heating and cooling. In winter, dirt-clogged heat exchangers cannot warm the air as efficiently. In summer, dirt-clogged condensing coils are unable to cool the air as well. These both increase the HVAC systems run time, requiring it to use more fuel and energy to heat and cool your property.

2. Dirt and dust restrict air flow. Let's say your system is doing a fine job of heating and cooling the air. If the blower fan or motor can't turn because of dirt, or the air filter is clogged with dust, then the system can't effectively circulate that warmed or cooled air throughout your property. It's going to run longer and use more energy.

3. The longer your HVAC system operates, the more wear and tear it undergoes. Long run times can shorten the overall lifetime of HVAC systems, from AC compressors to hydro pumps, burners, and motor bearings. You will wear out your home's HVAC system sooner.

4. Besides dirt, dust contains dead skin, pet dander, microorganisms from cat litter (toxoplasmosis), and other particles including: pollen, mold spores, fungi, and even rodent feces. Left to contaminate your HVAC system, it may become a breeding ground for bacteria, mites, and other pests. This greatly affects the quality of the air you are breathing, and ultimately affects your health.

5. Dirt and dust spread quicker in a home with dirty ducts. No matter how diligent you may dust and clean your home, fine particulate contaminates, including dangerous allergens, quickly flow from one room to the next covering tables, smart phones, and children's toys.

Top 5 Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning

SERVPRO of The East End recommends having your ducts cleaned every 3 to 5 years to prevent maintenance and health problems before they start. Doing so will save money on your heating and cooling bills. Additional benefits include:

1. Better and reliable over-all performance from your HVAC system

2. Fewer repairs from wear and tear and longer HVAC system life

3. More energy efficiency, reducing your energy bills

4. Lower likelihood of respiratory and allergy problems.

5. Less dust makes it easier to clean and maintain your home's living space

We do not recommend you tackle this job yourself. This is not a do-it-yourself project you will be able to do with an inexpensive machine from your local hardware store. To get the job done right, you need to hire a professional Company that does this on a regular basis.

At SERVPRO of The East End, we have been cleaning air ducts for residential and commercial properties for over 40 years. Our team of professionals are IICRC trained and certified and we have all of the latest state-of-the-art machinery to get the job done quickly and efficiently so you can get back to the business of your life.

Call SERVPRO of The East End at 631-653-9595 with any questions or to schedule an appointment. We look forward to working with you!

The Importance of Clean Air Ducts

4/23/2018 (Permalink)

The Anatomy of a residential HVAC system.

In addition to normal accumulations of dust and dirt found in all homes with air ducts, there are several other factors that can increase the need for regular HVAC system cleaning:

• pets
• occupants with allergies or asthma
• cigarette or cigar smoke
• water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system
• home renovation or remodeling projects

Some occupants are more sensitive to these contaminants than others. Allergy and asthma sufferers, as well as young children and the elderly tend to be more susceptible to the types of poor indoor air quality that air duct cleaning can help address.

Top Benefits of HVAC Cleaning

NADCA’s rule of thumb for consumers is that “if your air ducts look dirty, they probably are,” and that dirty HVAC systems should be inspected by a reputable, certified HVAC professional. Below are some other reasons homeowners choose to have their air ducts cleaned.

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is one concern that homeowners have when they decide to investigate air duct cleaning. Your heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home. The system takes air in and breathes air out.

Through normal occupation in a home, we generate a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated 5 to 7 times per day, on average. Over time, this re-circulation causes a build-up of contaminants in the duct work.

While dirty ducts don’t necessarily mean unhealthy air in your home, school or workplace, they may be contributing to larger health issues or harboring contaminants that could cause serious problems for people with respiratory health conditions, autoimmune disorders or some environmental allergies.

Energy Savings

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system. Although filters are used, the heating and cooling system still gets dirty through normal use.

When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness. A clean HVAC system is a healthier, safer and more cost efficient system.

For an estimate on the cost of cleaning the air ducts in your home or business, call SERVPRO of The East End at 631.653.9595.

*reprinted from an article by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association

Deciding Whether or Not To Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned

12/8/2016 (Permalink)

Knowledge about the potential benefits and possible problems of air duct cleaning is limited. Since conditions in every home are different, it is impossible to generalize about whether or not air duct cleaning in your home would be beneficial.

If no one in your household suffers from allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, after a visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold (no musty odor or visible mold growth), having your air ducts cleaned is probably unnecessary. It is normal for the return registers to get dusty as dust-laden air is pulled through the grate. This does not indicate that your air ducts are contaminated with heavy deposits of dust or debris; the registers can be easily vacuumed or removed and cleaned.

On the other hand, if family members are experiencing unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think might be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your doctor. EPA has published the following publications for guidance on identifying possible indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or fix them.

• Indoor Air Quality: An Introduction for Health Professionals
• The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality

You may consider having your air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time and should occasionally be cleaned. While the debate about the value of periodic duct cleaning continues, no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental, provided that it is done properly.

On the other hand, if a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning procedures, duct cleaning can cause indoor air problems. For example, an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more dust, dirt and other contaminants than if you had left the ducts alone. A careless or inadequately trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements.

You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:

• There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.
• Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects)
• Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

 Article written by: EPA.Gov

What Is A Carpet Extractor & How Is It Used By Professionals?

12/8/2016 (Permalink)

One of the most popular pieces of equipment in restoration is the deep cleaning, versatile carpet extractor. This piece of equipment comes in a variety of designs, but the basic design involves a combination of heat, pressure, suction, and a cleaning solution. Attacking stains, odors from mold and mildew or pets, and soil is a tricky task. Vacuums, even the highest quality designs, can only lift dirt from the surface of the fibers. Whereas carpet extractors can remove the dirt or stain from the deepest areas of the carpeting, making them a vital tool.  

Both professionals and homeowners can use this equipment, although it is important to know the proper procedure and to use the correct equipment. The different product designs range from portable to truck-mounted and include:

• Canister cleaners – these are simple to use and avoid lengthy setup times. This product is usually heavy duty and includes a large tank which means more time cleaning and less time refilling.
• Interim cleaners – these are for small and hard to reach areas. These cleaners are smaller than canisters, which means more time will be spent refilling the tank. However, the tanks are typically small enough to refill under a sink faucet.
• Portable cleaners – these machines are useful for spot cleaning. They can be great for using on small jobs and can be used on rugs, upholstery, and in cars.
• Dual cleaners – these are one of the larger cleaners available, but they often get the job done in one pass. This product uses technology such as dual rotating rollers to clean more deeply into the fibers. The size is effective for covering large areas quickly
• Rapid drying carpet extractors – these machines do just what they say. They provide a thorough cleaning while avoiding saturation, so the carpeting will need less time to dry.  

There are more designs on the market that can be used to fit almost any need. Professionals can achieve the most effective results because in conjunction with a powerful carpet extractor, they also have access to the most powerful detergents. Unfortunately, some of the chemicals required for tough stains and odors are not available for homeowners to use. Professionals also use truck-mounted machines to provide the most effective cleaning service. They provide a deeper clean without the time-consuming task of refilling the tank. They also provide superior suction, and the water can be heated to the perfect temperature for the best results. Professional grade equipment can also mean less drying time, enabling home or business owners to get back to their routine as quickly as possible.  

While some choose to tackle this task on their own, home or business owners considering having their carpet cleaned should hire a certified professional for the best results.

Article written by: IICRC