Air Hazards

Air hazards are serious but unfortunately, few residents take advantage of simple solutions designed to reduce air quality problems because they don't realize the risk. Find out if your home is at risk with this quick air hazard quiz - but don't worry; the solution is simple. If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions then it might indicate an air quality issue in your home. If you answer yes to three or more of the following questions you need to contact air duct cleaning services.

Answer Yes or No to each of the following questions:

1. My home smells stale or stuffy.
2. Visitors often mention an unusual smell or odor when visiting my home.
3. I rarely open the doors and windows of my home.
4. I don't circulate the air daily in my home or I leave home for extended periods of time.
5. I use a fireplace in the home.
6. I use natural gas to cook, heat or as fuel.
7. My home has a lot of humidity or condensation.
8. I have found mold or mildew growing in the home.
9. I often feel bad when inside the house for a long period of time.
10. My home is new and contains a lot of weatherization or "tight" construction that lacks adequate ventilation.
11. I frequently use air fragrance, deodorizers or other chemical cleaning solutions.
12. I live in an older home that might contain lead, asbestos, formaldehyde or other hazardous building materials.
13. I live in a new home that might contain VOC's from new carpeting, flooring, paint or other hazardous building materials.
14. I live in an area known to have Radon.
15. I occasionally encounter pest problems including roaches or rodents.

All of the above are common air hazards that indicate the need for professional Dallas air duct cleaning like that provided by Kiwi Services. Before selecting a service provider always take time to interview the company so that you understand exactly what is - and isn't included. For example, it is a good idea to ask about bacterial treatment and verify that every vent and air duct will be fully inspected and serviced to assure pollutants are eliminated - not re-circulated. Air duct cleaning has been shown to reduce many common health complaints including allergies, asthma and even headaches especially among individuals with pre-existing health problems or suffering from chronic health conditions.

Why is Duct Cleaning Imporant?

Why is Duct Cleaning so Important?

It is no hidden fact that our air is becoming more and more polluted. Cars, the burning of fossil fuels, cooking indoors, global warming, and pets can do their share in polluting the air we breathe. Checking duct cleaning supply for homeowners is crucial. It's especially important for those who suffer from allergies and asthma. It can be a matter of life and death in some cases if a person with one of these conditions is forced to live in a home with dirty supply ducts. Also, mold spores can form in the vents and exchanges in a homes heating and air system which can cause health issues galore.

Can I Clean Ducts Myself or Do I have to Hire Someone?

Most people when they think about air duct cleaning always think about hiring a company. However, homeowners are able to find the duct cleaning supplies necessary to do the job themselves.

Air Duct Cleaning Tips

The top five reasons to make air duct cleaning a part of regular maintenance are:

1. Money savings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that even less than .04 inches of dust in a cooling system's coils can lessen efficiency by as much as 21 percent. When air duct cleaning is a part of normal maintenance, coils get cleaned in the process. This can make heating and cooling a home as efficient and affordable as possible.

2. System protection. It is estimated that roughly nine out of 10 central heat and air systems fail simply because routine maintenance has not been performed. Replacing parts in a central heating system can be quite costly. A total replacement can set a homeowner back thousands.

3. Air quality. Air duct cleaning is considered very important by many because it can help improve indoor air quality. Dust and debris can become trapped in air ducts if they are not cleaned on a routine basis. When this happens, the particles can be released back into the air. Even if family members do not suffer from allergies, the particles can cause problems with breathing, among other things.

4. Allergen reduction. If allergies are a problem with family members, this kind of service can prove vital for making a home livable. Air duct cleaning can also help reduce the amount of allergens in the air. From dust mites and pollen to mold and more, regular air duct cleaning can reduce allergens that circulate through a home thanks to a heating or cooling system.

5. Improved smell inside a home. Since air ducts can harbor mold and bacteria, they can also push out rather bad smells when a system is in operation. Regular air duct cleaning can remove this issue almost entirely.

Air Duct Cleaning Tips

Indoor air is said to be more polluted than the outdoor area. It is very important to breath quality air, otherwise we tend to get allergies and fall ill quite often. Especially at home if there are small kids, then a particular care is required. They play on the carpets, play with stuff toys, and touch small things that have tendency to attract dust and air borne particles. Often you might have seen incidences of cough and cold in the children. Allergens are the main reason, usually the ones that are there in our HVAC system.

Maintaining a HVAC system is tough task especially when we have to spend quality time in office and with our family members. Seeing the needs of people, many companies have started with air duct cleaning services and aftercare.

For cleaning the air channels in air conditioner, dehumidifiers and heaters, it is necessary to use right kind of specialized brushes, blowers, and vacuums. The air duct-cleaning professional knows how to use various air ducts cleaning equipment and sees that their action doesn't cause any damage to the unit. Before inspecting the unit they clear the floor and properly remove the duct. Only then after proper removal of duct cover the work starts.

Air Duct Cleaning Contractor

As a qualified air duct cleaning contractor Atlanta I have discovered that most homeowners feel that they are very uninformed when it come to the principals and practices of proper air duct cleaning hygiene.

Let me begin by saying that the EPA as well as the National air duct cleaners association have stated that residential duct cleaning should take no less than between 4 and 8 hours to complete, anything short of that and you are probably not getting a thorough job.

Consumers are cautioned against duct cleaning companies that claim to be able to clean your entire air duct system in a very short period of time and for an unrealistic low price, in this industry that kind of service is completely unacceptable and is known as the blo-n-go style of duct cleaning.

Remember...anything short of between 4 and 8 hours and you are probably not getting what you're paying for.

Many homeowners are also under the impression that the main ducts and primary vents are the only components that require cleaning, However this is not the case, a thorough duct cleaning must include any internal surface in which the air moves across, this not only includes the main ducts and vents but must also include the conveyance compartment of the furnace/AC, heat exchanger, AC coils, drain pan, blower, filter housing and any air cleaning equipment that might be installed.

The only acceptable method of proper air duct cleaning is to put the entire system under negative air (vacuum) by means of a powerful vacuum system that produces no less than 2000 cubic feet per minute of air flow (cfm), each individual vent shaft should be cleaned using a combination of high pressure air snakes, rotating brushes and whips which must be driven by a compressor that will deliver no less than 175 psi @
12-16 cfm.

In conclusion, when choosing a qualified air duct cleaning company be sure to ask if they their technicians and equipment meet the above criteria and always get a few references, it is also recommended that you contact your local better business bureau or chamber of commerce.