Do I Need to Clean My Air Ducts?

If you’re asking yourself the question, do I need to clean my air ducts, the short answer is yes. There are so many dangers of not having regular maintenance on your air ducts, including structural and human health concerns. Dirty air ducts or poorly maintained HVAC systems can cause house fires and breathing problems for everyone who lives in your home, including pets.

We know, that no one likes to think about what could be growing in their walls, but if you want peace of mind that you’re home is clean and safe you have to maintain your air ducts. So how can you tell when your air ducts need to be cleaned?

Here are 7 major signs your need to clean your air ducts.

A change in your air quality

The first thing you might notice when your air ducts need to be cleaned is changes in the quality of the air you’re breathing in. This can cause an issue, especially for people with asthma or if you have kids or pets in the house. Try to take note of how the air in your home feels – is there a lingering smell? Is anyone in your house coughing or sneezing more frequently? Are you noticing more dust in the air? All of these are signs that you should hire someone to come to clean your air ducts.

You are cleaning dust off surfaces more often

If you feel like you’re dusting around your home more often, you probably have clogged or dirty air ducts. Having to clean around your home more is a significant sign that you are having a problem with your air ducts, and it’s important to get it taken care of as soon as possible to prevent more issues.

Noticeably dirty vent covers

Another major sign that you need to have your air ducts cleaned is you notice the vent covers are dirty. If you see a thick layer of dust between the metal slots of your vent, it’s definitely time to clean them. This is another major concern for people with allergies, as too much dust in the house can cause more severe reactions and flare-ups for asthmatics. It’s also just not pleasing to look at!

Loud or unusual noises coming from the walls

If your kids are keeping you up at night saying they hear someone up in the attic, that could be a big sign that your air ducts need maintenance. If you’re hearing anything more than the normal sounds of your HVAC system, your ducts could be experiencing some problems due to poor cleaning.

You see more insects or rodents

If you’re starting to see more insects in your home or you notice signs of rodents like mice or rats, this could mean your air ducts need to be cleaned. Rodents and insects are attracted to places that are dirty and an air duct with years of collected dust and dirt is the perfect breeding ground for them.

There is mold growth in areas of your home

If the air in your home is wet or humid, dirty air ducts can cause rapid mold and mildew growth. This is something you want to address quickly, as mold spores spreading through the air can cause illness in anyone living in the home, especially small children or people with breathing problems.

You can’t remember when or if you ever cleaned your air ducts

An obvious sign that you might not consider is just that you can’t remember when or if you ever had your air ducts cleaned in the time you’ve spent in your current home. You might not be noticing any symptoms of dirty or clogged ducts, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem, especially if you know they haven’t been checked or cleaned in years.

Whatever the signs or lack thereof are, you should be tending to your air ducts regularly. Most professionals say that your air ducts should be cleaned at least every 2 to 3 years, and you should have your HVAC system checked annually for any other issues to be safe.