Common Questions for Air Duct Cleaning, HVAC Cleaning, and Mold Removal

What is air duct cleaning?

Professional air duct cleaning is used to remove any buildup within your ductwork. Over time, these pathways can collect dust, carcinogens, and even mold! The Duct cleaning process consists of a thorough cleaning of all ductwork passageways, supplies, intake and return ducts throughout your home. Special high-pressure compressed air, rotary brush systems, blowers, vacuums, and a high-powered cyclone power vacuum truck are used along with portable hepa vacuums.  All registers, grilles, fans, motors, and coils in your HVAC system will be cleaned. All Contaminants and particulates are contained within these units.

What part of the system should get cleaned?

Within an air system, there are three major parts, including the supply and return trunk lines; the interior surface of the supply and return vents; and the HVAC system air handler. All three of these components must be cleaned thoroughly!

Do holes have to be cut in my duct system?

Yes.   Access holes in the main trunk line have to be cut to create negative pressure throughout the entire system in order to clean it properly. They will then be sealed after the cleaning is completed.

Why should I have my air ducts cleaned?

Because they get dirty! There are so many benefits to having your HVAC system and vents cleaned. It improves indoor air quality, lowers utility costs by improving air-flow, it will extend the life and improve efficiency of your HVAC, improve health and well-being with good hygiene, eliminate potential mold growth in your system and eliminate any smells and odors.

Why do my employees and family members suffer with unexplained sicknesses and suffer with allergies?

It could be as simple as what is living inside your heating and cooling system. They are the lungs of your home or building. It takes air in and breathes it out. Poor indoor air quality is one of the top five environmental threats. Recent studies from Harvard/State University of New York found a correlation between indoor air quality and cognitive functions. This adds up to losses in productivity and an increase in sick days. The United States Centers for Disease Control estimates a loss of $60 billion dollars a year in productivity due to poor indoor air quality.

Will cleaning the air ducts help with allergy and asthma relief?

Yes, by removing the allergens from the ductwork. Every time your heat or air conditioning system turns on, it further aggravates allergies and asthma by forcing those allergens into the living space of the home and into the air you breathe. Many Doctors will recommend having this done if they are suffering from allergies.

How do I know if they need to be cleaned?

If you haven’t had them cleaned in a long time, or haven’t changed the Air Filters in Months. If you can see visible dust in the registers and vent covers. If airflow is not consistent from room to room or you can hear noises in the ductwork would be all good reasons to have your system cleaned. If you see black in or around your HVAC system or vents it is extremely important to have them cleaned as it could be a sign of mold. Mold could be running through your entire system and spreading spores everywhere in your home.

What health issues can having dirty air ducts cause?

Having dirt air ducts can cause respiratory issues, sore throats, allergies, headaches, fatigue and heightened autoimmune disorders.

Can mold grow in my HVAC system?

Absolutely yes! If there is mold in your HVAC system, you will usually be able to smell the musty odor in multiple rooms. If the mold problem is quite severe, you should be able to spot the growth around the ducts, in the vents and the other parts of the ductwork.

What causes mold infestation in HVAC systems and duct work?

A warm location with high water vapor content is particularly prone to mold buildup within the ducts. Water vapor can form within the duct system when cold air passes through, and when there is high water vapor content in the outside environment, the water droplets usually collect instead of evaporating. It forms the most conducive environment for mold growth. The nutrition for the mold usually comes from dust, dirt, dead skin cells, pollen, and animal dander that collect over months inside the duct along with the water.

What types of things are usually found in duct work?

Some contaminants typically found in air ducts are mold, bacteria, dead human skin cells, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, insects, rodents and their droppings, sheetrock, wood and concrete dust, sawdust and even coffee cups and soda cans.

When is the best time to have them cleaned?

Any time is a good time to have your HVAC ducts cleaned. Especially if any construction was done in your home such as floor sanding, painting and any other remodeling. Another good time to have them cleaned is if they haven’t been cleaned for a long time. Spring is a good time for duct cleaning, but the end of spring is ideal. Most plants are fully bloomed, meaning there are fewer pollens in the air and fewer pollens to get into your home when your windows are open. Fall and the change of season not only bring cooler weather, but it also brings a whole new list of home maintenance to-dos for homeowners. There are leaves to rake, gutters to clean, and chimneys to sweep. This is also a good time to have them cleaned.

Why is it necessary to use a sanitizer? Is it safe?

The sanitizers we use are EPA approved and extremely safe. They are used in hospitals, schools and nursing homes and will limit the growth of mold, bacteria and odors.

Why is water dripping from my ducts?

When water is dripping from the vents this means they are sweating and most likely from condensation. If left untreated, this water builds up leads to leaky ceilings or mold growth. It is likely formed when warm, humid air came into contact with the much colder surface of your home’s ductwork. Once you notice this sweating, it is important for you to call in a team of professional air duct cleaners right away to fix your HVAC issue before your drywall begins to rot and mold begins to grow.

How often should I get my air ducts cleaned?

Typically every 2 to 3 years is recommended. Homeowners with pets, children, respiratory issues, or a compromised immune system may want to get their HVAC duct system cleaned more often.

How do I know how many zones I have?

Based on the number of air condensers you have outside determines the number of zones you have. (An air condenser is the outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heater heat pump that either releases or collects heat, depending on the time of the year)

For more information
Call IAC-Indoor Air Care at 631-451-7500 or visit our website for information on Long Island air duct cleaning, HVAC Cleaning, and Mold removal.