If you or a family member has asthma, and you’ve noticed symptoms getting worse recently, it may be time for an air duct cleaning. Though the asthma symptoms may have another source, if you eliminate all the usual culprits and the indoor air quality (IAQ) in your New Orleans home still isn’t great, there may be debris or mold in your ducts. Cleaning your air ducts can help. Here are the three main causes for dirty ducts:
Mold Growth
One of the biggest culprits for poor IAQ is mold, and breathing in mold spores is especially hard on asthma sufferers. Several signs indicate you may have mold in your ducts: if you see mold growth on the outside of ducts or in your vents, there may be mold inside. Even when you see none, if an asthma sufferer in your home starts experiencing more severe symptoms, have a professional inspect your ductwork.
Dust Buildup
One way to tell if your ducts have excess dust is to pay attention when your HVAC system kicks on. If you see a puff of dust come out of your vent, you need a cleaning. A musty odor also might indicate dust build-up, as does excessive debris on or around your filter. You spend a lot of time ensuring your home is free of dust to alleviate asthma symptoms, so make sure your ducts are free of it, too.
Evidence of Vermin
If you notice bugs, rodents, or rodent droppings near your ductwork or in your vents, it’s time to get the ducts cleaned. Similarly, if you have rodents or bugs in other areas of the house, have your ducts inspected to be sure the critters didn’t also invade your ductwork.
Each of these issues pollutes your air with things nobody wants to breathe in, but which are especially hard on asthma sufferers. If you think your ducts might need an inspection or a cleaning, call the professionals at Bryan’s United Air Conditioning at (504) 208-2071.
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