Cleaning Horrors: 8 Things You Don’t Want to Find in Your Air Ducts

Just in time for spooky season, we’re sharing the air duct cleaning “horrors.” At Guarantee Air Duct Cleaning, we equivocate the air ducts or HVAC system to the lungs of the building. And no-one wants these following eight items to be circulating through the lungs and into the air that you breathe!

1. Dust

Dust builds in the air ducts over time, reducing the quality of the air you breathe in your home or business. If you see dust on the vents to your duct system, it is likely that the entire internal ductwork is covered as well. Another sign that your ducts may need cleaning is if you find that dust accumulates on surfaces in your home quickly after cleaning.

2. Smoke Residue

Smoke residue build-up is a real concern for commercial buildings, like casinos, that allowed indoor smoking for many decades. This can also occur in restaurants and high production kitchens where burning oil may cause smoke residue to build-up in the ductwork.

Here in Central Oregon, we also must think about smoke residue from wildfires. During wildfire season, the air quality index in Bend can reach extreme levels, which promotes indoor air pollution and unhealthy conditions. Guarantee Air Duct Cleaning offers free air quality testing when we inspect your ducts to ensure that your clients, family and/or staff are breathing healthy air.

3. Mold

Mold may accumulate in the air ducts even in areas of low humidity. If something organic is left in the ducts, it may grow mold as well. It is not healthy to have mold in the system which circulates the air that you breath. Check your home for a musty odor or if anyone is exhibiting signs of allergies when entering the home. Additionally, if you see a sign of mold elsewhere in your home. It is very possible that it has accumulated in your air ducts as well.

4. Pollen

Did you know that Oregon has one of the highest pollen counts in the world? That means that we also see some of the worst allergy seasons. Your home or business should be a safe haven from pollen and associated allergies – but this is impossible if there is pollen collected in your air duct system. Imagine that every time you use your heating or cooling system, it is continuously recirculating irritating pollen, blowing through the vents and into the air you breathe. This doesn’t sound fun, does it?

5. Pet Hair

Do you have a dog or cat? Imagine how much pet hair your vacuum sucks up every time you clean the house. Or how much dog hair there is when you try to wear black pants. But what about your air duct system, when was the last time it was cleaned? You might want to check if there’s a fur ball in there wanting to come out!

6. Bugs

Bugs are a part of life, but they shouldn’t be a part of your home. Especially the part that carries the fresh air to your home or business. Whether dead or alive, a bug-free duct system will prevent odors, deterioration and contribute to healthier indoor air quality.

7. Wildlife

Perhaps the only worse thing than a bug infestation in your duct system would be a rat nest – with rats in it. Wildlife like rats, mice and squirrels can find their way into your duct system in search of a warm place to nest for the winter. Regular duct inspections and cleaning will ensure that no animals (dead or alive) are calling your ducts home.

8. Construction Debris

Even if your home is brand new, chances are that your ducts may be clogged with construction debris. During the construction process, debris including sawdust, wood and metal scraps, empty bottles and wrappers often gets brushed aside and ends up accumulating in the duct system before the building is completed and the vents are covered. Most of Guarantee Air Duct Cleaning’s clients are extremely surprised at the amount of debris that is removed from the ducts.