Air ducts in your workplace or home require regular inspection and cleaning to avoid dust and particulate buildup. Your ventilation is at risk for mold and pest infestation and can pose a potential fire hazard without regular cleaning.
If you need air duct cleaning services, our technicians here at First Cleaning Services can be on site within a few hours in case of an emergency. We use specialized industrial equipment to sanitize and deep clean your air ducts.
Read on to learn what air duct cleaning is and how to maintain your ventilation system.
What is air duct cleaning?
This cleaning service is essential for homeowners and businesses who have a ventilation system. The extent of cleaning and disinfection required depends on some factors related to the system, such as:
Your local climate
The size of the ventilation system
How accessible the area is
The type of air duct
Air ducts require regular cleaning and maintenance, or they may suffer from a buildup of dust, pollen, and other particles such as smoke. If there are high levels of humidity and warmth in the ventilation system, there is a risk of mold growth in these ducts.
How often should you clean your air ducts?
If you own a restaurant, there are legal obligations regarding cleaning the air ducts in the kitchen. The frequency of cleaning required depends on the use.
Twelve to sixteen hours or more of daily use needs cleaning every three months
Six to twelve hours of daily use needs cleaning every six months
Two to six hours of daily use needs cleaning every twelve months
Other ventilation systems in offices or homes should be maintained and cleaned thoroughly on an annual basis. However, there are ways that you as a homeowner or business owner can improve the air quality in your ventilation system:
Changing filters regularly
Ensure all filters are fitted properly
Dust and hoover your home often
Use an air purifier or dehumidifier
How to know when your air ducts need cleaning
It can be difficult to know if your air ducts need a deep cleaning, especially if the vents are high up and you rarely notice them. However, you will see signs that your ventilation needs a deep cleaning if:
Notice mould growing on or around the vent
Have expensive energy bills
Hear noises coming from the vents
Show signs of allergy symptoms
Do not feel heating or cooling effects
Notice an accumulation of dust and dirt around the vent
Some of these problems can be corrected by changing the air filters, but mold or pest infestations require more specialized cleaning services. You should not attempt to clean mold or handle pest control yourself.
The risks of not cleaning your air ducts
If you don’t clean your kitchen vents regularly, whether at home or in a restaurant, you could be at risk of organic smoke damage or fire. Grease and organic smoke build up inside the vents, eventually making it difficult for smoke to escape and grease can leak in.
Poor air quality in your office space poses a risk to your employees as you are legally required to provide safe and clean indoor air. According to the Health and Safety Executive, you must provide adequate ventilation for your employees.
At home, dust and mould build-up can affect your health. If mould grows in your vents, mould spores can spread throughout your property. Any children living with you can develop asthma and other chronic health conditions.
What to do if you need to clean your air ducts
If you’re not sure if your air ducts need cleaning, a simple external inspection will suffice. If you notice a buildup of dirt, dust, or mold, you should contact an air duct cleaning service immediately.
You can also have your air quality tested by air cleaning services, which test the levels of harmful particles in your home.
Your ventilation filters may need to be replaced, which you can do yourself. However, if you don’t have access to the filters or the vent itself, you should have a professional on site to do it for you.
Do not attempt to clean or treat a pest infestation yourself. Doing so could put you at risk of mold or disease from rodents or insects.
Get in touch
Air duct cleaning is just one of the many services we offer at First Cleaning Services. Our cleaning experts can address mold and pests lurking in your vents and deliver the highest quality cleaning.
If you would like to know more about our air quality testing or cleaning services, you can contact our helpful team on 052 252 3500 or info@firstcleanuae.com. We are available nationwide, 24/7, 365 days a year including public holidays.
