Blog
Improve Airflow When Upgrading Filters
November 1st, 2021
With a strong focus on improving indoor quality in public buildings, schools, and the office place, filter upgrades have been a common component for system upgrades. While installing MERV 13+ filters do catch more and smaller particulates, the denser filters also reduce airflow. This airflow reduction will make air handlers and furnaces run harder, longer, and at the end of the day cost more to operate. When combining air duct cleaning along with filter upgrades, you can help ... more »
Is There Asbestos in My Home?
August 31st, 2021
The short answer is YES! Floor tiles, joint compounds, attic insulation, and duct insulation are some of the common areas you will find asbestos in your home. Even in newer homes, (post 1980's) asbestos can be found in materials such as laminate flooring or vinyl floor coverings, adhesives, and even concrete. Contrary to popular belief, there is not a ban on asbestos containing materials in the US, so even new homes do posses containing materials. Before moving forward with any ... more »
Put a Stop to Mold Growth in Your HVAC System
July 8th, 2021
There are a variety of factors that contribute to mold growth in HVAC systems including high ambient humidity/dewpoint levels, indoor humidity levels, condensation, and lack of HVAC maintenance. Here are some items to keep an eye on year round that will hopefully keep this problem from occurring in your work place or home. High Interior Humidity: Humidity control tends to be the leading contributor to unwanted growth in your AHU's and associated ductwork. Interior ... more »
Don't Let Your Lint Be The Flint!!
April 15th, 2021
Most home owners are aware that keeping a clean lint trap inside your clothes dryer is very important for efficiency and safety, but some fail to realize that not everything is caught here and debris does make its way downstream into the vent ductwork. As this continues to build and even clog, this can single handedly become the greatest fire risk in your home or building. According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 17,000 home clothes dryer fires are reported each ... more »
Asbestos Hide & Seek
February 26th, 2021
Along with the many visible to the eye asbestos containing building materials such as transite siding and panels, floor tile, plaster, HVAC duct wrap, acoustic ceiling tiles, etc., asbestos can be applied to some not so obvious places leading you to a good game of hide and seek. A couple key materials that can fall into this category would be waterproofing, vapor barriers, and fire proofing. Identifying these locations of hidden asbestos can save you thousands of unexpected costs by ... more »
HVAC Systems in Schools
January 19th, 2021
https://dirtyductscleaning.com/images/DirtyDucts_IAQandPublicSchools.pdf Many school districts across the country have either fully returned or in the process of bringing their staff and students back into the buildings for in person education. While this brings excitement to all, it also come with fear as its related to the current pandemic. While schools have developed extensive safe return school plans with protocols including physical distancing, assigning small cohorts, managing sched ... more »
Asbestos Seam Tape
June 4th, 2020
Asbestos seam tape resembles white medical tape. This can be found on the exterior of duct work at the joints, duct boots and where the return pad meets the joints. On occasion it may be covered with foil or duct tape by others to cover up the asbestos. If this tape is found it can be encapsulated or removed depending on the location and amounts. If the tape is in good condition than nothing needs to be done to it. When it starts to break off or fall apart then that is when the "spores" start ... more »
Dirty Ducts Offers Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Cleaning Services
March 26th, 2020
To assist in overall communication with our team and yours, our Coronavirus (COVID-19) cleaning procedures are broken into 4 categories to include Phase I Limited, Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, and Phase IV. Phase I Limited: Proactive fogging and surface spray. No known or suspect cases of anyone within the facility or those that facility staff have come in contact with or a facility member has traveled to an at risk area. Phase I: Proactive cleaning. No known or ... more »
Should I Clean My Ductwork to Reduce The Spread of Covid-19
March 20th, 2020
The CDC has not made any specific claims stating that you should clean your ductwork. However, NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) and the EPA have recommended that cleaning your ductwork does remove source contaminants that contain unwanted bacteria, mold, and micro-organisms. Dirty air ducts can contribute to larger health issues, especially for those with respiratory conditions, auto-immune disorders, asthma, or allergies. By simply removing the harboring dust and debris ... more »
Spring Cleaning Season is Here...
May 7th, 2019
Spring cleaning season is here. While many think of furniture, carpets, drapes, and top to bottom dusting, not many think of cleaning the ductwork. Your HVAC system acts as the lungs of your home or building and circulates all of the unwanted fugitive dust and debris that you are trying to stay on top of on a daily basis. Duct cleaning every 3-5 years can dramatically improve indoor air quality by removing the source dust contaminants that house unwanted mold, parasites, and ... more »