How to Maintain Your Air Duct Systems. Planning to clean out your air ducts? It’s a more complicated process than you think. If you’ve finally had enough of the dust, dirt, and debris present in your unmaintained air duct system, it might be time to call a service and get the job done.
If left untreated, the dust will accumulate and spread all over your house. This leaves you and your family at risk of exposure to allergens, pollutants, and more. Here are the steps to conducting a successful duct cleaning operation at your home.
Maintaining your air duct system is important to ensure that it functions properly and keeps the air in your home clean and healthy. Here are some tips for air duct system maintenance:
How to Maintain Your Air Duct Systems
Change the air filter: The air filter in your HVAC system should be changed every 1-3 months, depending on usage. A clogged filter can reduce airflow and reduce the efficiency of your system, which can lead to increased energy usage and wear and tear.Clean the vents: Regularly clean the supply and return air vents to prevent dust and debris from accumulating.
Use a damp cloth or vacuum attachment to remove any dirt or debris from the vents.Inspect the ducts: Inspect your air ducts for any leaks, cracks, or damage. Leaking ducts can reduce the efficiency of your system and increase energy usage.
If you notice any issues, contact a professional to repair or replace the affected ducts.Schedule professional cleaning: Consider scheduling professional air duct cleaning every 3-5 years.
A professional cleaning can remove accumulated dirt, dust, and debris from your ducts, which can improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory issues.
Step 1: Indoor Air Quality Test
Before you venture into the duct cleaning operation, you must first conduct an indoor air quality test to see how bad the situation is. This test will take about 72 hours to complete, and it has to be undisturbed.
You can get the test and leave the monitor on for the recommended amount of time to get the most comprehensive results. The device should be placed in an area where it can take air samples.
Once the test is over, it should give you a clear depiction of how many pollutants are present in your air system, and what recommendations they have for you to reduce these pollutants.
Step 2: Contact Duct Cleaning Services
If you have determined that the problem is indeed enough to worry over, it is time to contact the duct cleaning services. Once you have set a date for them to come in and clean, they should begin the extensive cleaning process.
The cleaning service should professionally vacuum, clean, and sanitise the problem areas so that you can enjoy breathable, purified air.
Step 3: Have Your Dryer Cleaned
It is important to note that the journey to having clean air does not stop there. After hiring a duct cleaning service, you should also set an appointment to have your dryer cleaned.
There is a high likelihood for the same pollutants found in your air dryer to be present in your clothes dryer as well. If you plan on having your ducts cleaned, then you should have your dryer cleaned as well.
Step 4: Clean Your Air Registers
While you are cleaning out your dryer and ducts, consider having your air registers cleaned as well. This is where air flows through each room in your house or building. If left to its own devices, it can house grime and filth, polluting the air you breathe.
Cleaning air registers is an important part of maintaining good indoor air quality. Air registers are the grilles that cover the openings in your walls, floors, or ceilings that allow air to flow in and out of your HVAC system. Over time, these registers can become dirty and clogged with dust, dirt, and other debris, which can reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system and negatively impact the air quality in your home or office.
To clean your air registers, follow these steps:
- Turn off your HVAC system: Before you begin cleaning your air registers, turn off your heating or cooling system to prevent dust and debris from getting into the system.
- Remove the registers: Carefully remove the air registers from the wall, floor, or ceiling. Some registers may be screwed in, while others may be held in place by clips or other fasteners.
- Clean the registers: Using a soft-bristled brush or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, gently remove any dust, dirt, and debris from the registers. Be sure to clean both the inside and outside of the registers.
- Clean the ducts: While you have the registers removed, take the opportunity to clean the ducts as well. You can do this by using a vacuum cleaner with a long hose and brush attachment to remove any debris that may have accumulated inside the ducts.
Step 5: Have Your HVAC System Inspected
It will also help to get your HVAC system inspected. If they find any issues in the interior or exterior, you can schedule maintenance. Key components that must be looked at include the fan system and the A/C coils.
Step 6: Change Air Filters
The final step is to regularly change your air filters. Even after a thorough cleaning of all your air systems, it doesn’t hurt to keep everything maintained. When you change your air filters regularly, you are ensuring that no dirt accumulates in the filtration system.
Conclusion
Make sure to keep the air you breathe clean and pure by conducting regular maintenance on all of your air systems. Long exposure to dust, dirt, and grime could lead to future health complications.
To keep your air fresh, you can trust Can Do Duct Cleaning. We offer air duct cleaning services in Toronto that will do a clean sweep of any residential or commercial establishment. Contact us today and solve all of your air filtration problems!