Indoor air quality has a significant impact on home comfort. Even the healthiest people can have reactions to dust particles, mold spores, pollen, and insect droppings, not to mention those suffering from allergies. Regular air duct cleaning along with sealing the ductwork is one way to improve your home’s overall air quality.
If you’re unsure if your ducts need sealing or cleaning, here are some common symptoms of air duct problems in your air filtration system. Once you notice any one of these symptoms, you’re advised to get an air duct diagnostic repair as soon as possible to minimize further damage.
Clogged Filters and Ducts
Dust and other debris tend to build up in air ducts over prolonged periods. This issue, while seemingly harmless at first, can lead to many issues later on and is one of the most common signs of problems with your air duct.
If you notice that you need to swap out filters continuously, this indicates a much more serious problem. This should sound the alarm that you need to check the air ducts.
Presence of Molds or Mildew
Unfortunately, dust isn’t the only substance that can get into your air ducts. Mold and mildew can also occur, which tends to be a common problem in more humid and damp regions. These environments promote mold development more often than arid environments.
Poor Air Flow
Poor air flow is certainly the most noticeable sign of issues with your air duct. It’s usually a result of another symptom: leaky ductwork due to cracks and poor installation. You may also have clogged filters or ducts. Vents should consistently deliver fresh air, so the indoor airflow should maintain the same quality.
You can easily check this, but it’s always advised to call an air duct specialist instead. These professionals have the proper know-how and tools to get the job done quickly, efficiently, and without damaging your air ducts or filters in the process.
Unpleasant Smells
Mold is usually the most common cause of unpleasant smells emanating from one’s air ducts. But, unpleasant smells might also be caused by the presence of debris or organic matter in the air ducts. If you can’t find the source of the unpleasant odors, it is surely coming from the air duct system.
Unpleasant smells may also indicate an infestation, which is the worst-case scenario. They also tend to cause a lot of damage both to your air filtration system and the remainder of your house. To verify your suspicions, closely examine the air registers.
Old Ductwork
While this isn’t always the case, old ductwork has the potential to cause a variety of problems. This is especially true for older homes with no record of when the air duct was last cleaned. In addition, older ductwork may have cracks and holes that cause reduced airflow. It may not show any signs like unpleasant smells or poor air flow, but it has certainly accumulated dust over time. In such cases, air duct sealing, thorough cleaning, and possibly replacement are essential to prevent potential issues.
Insect and Vermin Infestations
Pest infestations are less common, but they’re arguably the most concerning. If you suspect an infestation is present in your air duct, contact an exterminator immediately! Infestations are a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode. The longer you prolong this problem, the worse it will get.
Cleaning your air filtration system is done after a pest infestation to prevent the spread of disease-causing microbes and allergens. They can cause serious health problems and possible damage to other parts of your home.
Higher Home Energy Costs
While some symptoms are hidden and can’t be detected that easily, your energy bill might prove insightful. If you’re experiencing higher-than-average operational costs, that might indicate that your air filtration system is malfunctioning. If ductwork is blocked, then the system will use more energy while working.
Address this issue as soon as possible to save money in the long run. Check off all the other possible avenues beforehand, as the increase in cost might simply be because of a new appliance you’ve purchased rather than the air filtration system.
Unusual Noises
Unusual noises are not a cause for concern but are a helpful indicator that something has gotten stuck in your air duct. For simpler air vents, it’s simply a matter of opening up the air vent and removing the stuck debris. Some serious servicing might be required to fix the issue for more complex air filtration systems.
Aeroseal Colorado: Dependable Air Duct Services
There are many reasons why you might be experiencing air duct problems, both internally and externally. What’s more, these problems usually tend to have a cascading effect. A clogged duct might develop mold, while strange noises might point to an infestation or an object that’s stuck in the air duct.
At Aerosol Colorado, we address common symptoms of air duct problems quickly to prevent further damage to your air filtration system. We’ll perform a comprehensive in-home evaluation to identify potential problems. Contact us today!