Do you ever worry the air your family breathes might be making them sick? It’s a possibility, especially with dusty air ducts.
Those hidden conduits could be leaking allergens throughout your house every time the heat or air conditioning kicks on. This can contribute to poor indoor air quality, which can aggravate health issues like allergies or asthma.
Read on to discover some common allergens lurking in your residential air ducts in Jacksonville, FL.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny and insect-like pests that thrive in warm, humid settings. These little critters love to feed off dead skin cells and settle in household dust.
While they might be hard to see because of their microscopic size, dust mites are a common household allergen. These dust-loving, microscopic bugs can trigger allergy symptoms like:
- Sneezing
- Runny noses
- Itchy eyes
- Inflammation of the nasal passages
These symptoms tend to worsen among individuals with dust allergies. Regular duct cleaning can reduce the presence of dust mites in your home. By removing the dust and debris where these mites thrive, you can improve your indoor air quality and breathe easier.
Don’t forget to keep your living spaces clean and maintain indoor relative humidity. These are also practical ways to control dust mites.
Mold and Mildew
The warm, humid weather in Jacksonville, FL, creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow in your air ducts. These fungi release spores into the air when disturbed, and the spores cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory issues when inhaled.
Not only do mold and mildew pose a health risk, but they can also emit a musty odor that affects the overall comfort of your home.
To combat mold and mildew, consider scheduling professional duct cleaning. A thorough cleaning can remove existing mold spores and prevent future growth. Using dehumidifiers and ensuring proper ventilation can also help keep your air ducts dry and mold-free.
Pest Infestation
Pests such as insects and rodents can find their way into your air ducts. Droppings, shed skin, and other debris from these unwanted visitors can circulate through your HVAC system, contaminating your indoor air. This can exacerbate asthma and allergy symptoms, making your home feel less comfortable and safe.
Professional duct cleaning is an effective way to remove the evidence of pest infestations and the allergens they leave behind.
Sealing entry points and keeping your home clean can also deter pests from taking up residence in your ductwork. This ensures your air stays clean and your living environment stays healthy.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are not only prevalent in industrial settings but also found in everyday environments. This impacts indoor air quality and human health. VOCs are gases released from certain solids or liquids, such as:
- Household cleaning agents
- Paints
- Hobby supplies
- Stored fuels
- Building materials and furnishings
These compounds can accumulate in your air ducts over time, reducing indoor air quality and potentially exacerbating allergy symptoms. Opt for low-VOC products and use a blower fan to improve air circulation. These steps will help to minimize your exposure to these harmful compounds.
Additionally, perform routine duct cleaning to remove any VOC particles that may have settled in your ductwork. This makes sure the air circulating through your home is clean and healthy.
Pet Dander
If you live with pets in your Jacksonville home, pet dander can accumulate in your air ducts. As your HVAC system circulates air throughout your home, it can spread these tiny flakes of animal skin from your ducts into your living spaces. This can cause allergic reactions in household members who are sensitive to them.
Frequent duct cleaning can help remove pet dander from your air ducts, reducing the amount circulating in your home. Regular grooming of your pets and investing in air purifiers can also help reduce the presence of pet dander and improve indoor air quality.
Pollen
Jacksonville’s blooming seasons can introduce pollen into your home, where it can become trapped in your air ducts. When your HVAC system kicks on, it can spread pollen throughout your home. This can trigger allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals, especially during spring and fall when pollen counts are high.
Scheduling regular duct cleaning during or after peak pollen seasons can help remove this allergen from your air ducts. To further reduce the amount of pollen circulating through your home, keep windows closed during high pollen days and use high-efficiency air filters.
Cockroach Allergens
Cockroaches leave behind allergens in the form of droppings and dead bodies. If these get trapped in your air ducts, they can become airborne and spread throughout your home through the HVAC system. This can contribute to increased allergies or asthma attacks.
Professional duct cleaning can remove cockroach allergens from your ductwork. However, keeping your home clean and free of food debris can help prevent cockroach infestations in the first place. You should also seal the cracks and openings around your home to keep cockroaches and other pests out.
Fabric Fibers
You shed them from clothes, bedding, carpets – everyday life. While seemingly harmless, these tiny particles can build up in air ducts over time.
As your air circulates, it spreads throughout your house, triggering allergies. Regular cleaning helps minimize fabric fibers in the air, but air ducts need attention too!
For cleaner air, schedule regular duct cleaning. Professionals will remove the built-up fibers, dust, and debris. This ensures clean air circulates through your HVAC system at peak efficiency. Also, invest in high-quality air filters that trap tiny particles and replace them regularly for maximum benefit.
Tackle Common Allergens With Air Duct Cleaning in Jacksonville, FL
Keeping your air ducts clean and free of common allergens is essential for a healthy and comfortable living environment. Regular professional duct cleaning can reduce these allergens, minimizing allergy flare-ups and promoting better overall respiratory health for you and your family.
At Envirovac Air Duct Cleaning, we offer professional air duct cleaning services to homeowners in Jacksonville, FL. We’re here to help you and your family breathe easier and enjoy a healthier home environment.
If you have a question or want to learn more about our services, feel free to get in touch with us today.
