Why You Should Sanitize Your Ductwork

It’s not uncommon to hear people talk about the importance of cleaning out their air ducts. After all, every time you turn on your air conditioning or heater, you are recirculating the contaminants in the air. This can lead to breathing problems, allergies, and sinus issues. Not to mention the fire hazard of not having your ductwork cleaned! 

However, many homeowners don’t realize that they should be doing more than just cleaning their ductwork; they need to sanitize it too! Ductwork is home to several gross factors including bacteria and allergens which get stirred up and circulated throughout the house every time you heat and cool it.

Here are a few of the most common things found in your ducts:

• Mold – Ductwork is one of the easiest ways for mold to travel throughout your home. Mold can cause respiratory problems like bronchitis, as well as induce allergic reactions such as skin irritation and rashes.

• Bacteria – E. coli and other common household bacteria can build up in your ducts if they aren’t cleaned regularly, leading to everything from food poisoning to pneumonia.

• Pet Dander – Cats and dogs shed a lot of dander, which can cause or exacerbate pet allergies as well as induce asthma. Many pet owners don’t realize that their pets can bring allergens into the home this way, and it’s important to make sure these allergens don’t get stirred up and circulated throughout your home.

• Dust – Dust isn’t only made of dirt; it includes common household particles like pollen and insect parts. Many people suffer from allergies that are exacerbated when these particles get stirred up.

Different parts of your house need to be sanitized for different types of contaminants. Ductwork is home to some pretty common offenders, but it’s not the only place you should be looking.

Let’s take a look at where else they make take up residence:

• Bathtubs/Showers – Mold is the most common offender, but anything from soap scum to hair can cause problems if allowed to build up.
• Closets – Clothing, especially if it’s not hung up properly after being laundered, can lead to excess moisture that generates mold, mildew, and musty odors. The same goes for shoes.
• Garbage Cans – Not only is this a breeding ground for pests, but it can cause foul odors and attract flies.
• Floorboards – All of the places mentioned above also make great hiding spots for rodents who feed on food or plants kept in these locations.

The best thing to do is to remember that if some is good, then more is better. That might not exactly be the most catchy slogan, but it does hold in this case. Cleaning your ductwork once every two years probably won’t cut it, and neither will cleaning your ceiling fan blades or washing your shower curtain. If you want to improve indoor air quality—you need to clean your vents, rid your home of mold, and sanitize every surface from the floorboards to the ceiling.

We hope you found this information useful and that it has motivated you to take action. Please let us know if we can assist you in making your house a cleaner, healthier place with our team of specialists who are eager and ready to help you.