Deciding whether to stay or go during a duct cleaning service can be a difficult decision. On one hand, the process can be noisy and, with children's sensitive ears, you may not want them to be there. On the other hand, you may want to observe the process. If you and your children are unavoidably going to be present, you should inform the technician of this fact.
When it comes to duct cleaning, it isn't necessarily a bad idea, but it's not necessary in most cases. In fact, cleaning normally dusty ducts provides no real value. If done correctly, duct cleaning can be useful in limited situations. Most organizations that deal with duct cleaning, including the EPA, NADCA, NAIMA, and the National Association of Metal Plate Contractors and Air Conditioning (SMACNA), do not currently recommend the routine use of sealants to encapsulate contaminants in any type of duct.
This is because much of the dirt in the air ducts adheres to the surfaces of the ducts and does not necessarily enter the living space. A careless or inadequately trained service provider can damage ducts or the heating and cooling system, which could increase heating and air conditioning costs or force you to make expensive and difficult repairs or replacements. Duct cleaning does remove dust and other particles from the air ducts, but it doesn't address airflow problems or remove biological contaminants such as mold or bacteria. In addition, the service provider can propose the application of chemical biocides, designed to remove microbiological contaminants, inside ducts and in other components of the system. While many of these products can be legally used inside uncoated ducts if all instructions on the label are followed, some of the instructions on the label may not be appropriate for use in ducts. Experts agree that there should be no moisture in the ducts, and if there is moisture and dirt, there is a chance that biological contaminants will grow and be distributed throughout the house.
To properly address airflow problems, it is necessary to carry out a test with a ventilation hood carried out by a professional to measure the volume of air passing through the air conditioning system and to carry out a full inspection of the ducts. But the reality is that ducts only need to be cleaned in exceptional cases when there is serious contamination.You can also contact professional duct cleaning service providers and ask them about the services they offer. While ducts are usually round, they can come in all kinds of shapes depending on how the ducts are directed through the house to properly disperse and return the air conditioner. Pollutants that enter the home from outdoor or indoor activities, such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving, can cause greater exposure to pollutants than dirty air ducts.
In addition, there is no evidence that a small amount of household dust or other particulate matter in air ducts poses a health risk. Cases in which the use of sealants to encapsulate duct surfaces may be appropriate include repairing damaged fiberglass insulation or combating fire damage to ducts. There are examples of ducts that have been seriously contaminated with various materials that may pose a health risk. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inner surfaces of air ducts and equipment housings because they believe this will control mold formation or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from the ducts. In conclusion, while it's not necessary to clean your air ducts routinely, it may be necessary in certain cases when there is serious contamination. If you decide to stay during a duct cleaning service, make sure you inform your technician beforehand so they can take proper precautions.
