Unseen Toxins: Air Ducts and Filtration Systems
Deep Cleaning the Unseen Toxins in Air Ducts
Regular cleaning is one of the most critical steps to take to keep a home healthy and livable. Regular cleaning often involves eliminating viruses, bacteria, and other types of germs that can cause a lot of harm to humans and pets in a home. Deep cleaning is a process that ensures the complete removal of both visible and invisible organisms that can do a lot of harm if unchecked.
Regular cleaning of living space is more crucial during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. This is because the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is known to live on some surfaces for as long as 20 days. Consequently, homeowners have to take extra precautions and clean more thoroughly to get rid of all the organisms and toxins on any surface in a home.
Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have expressed the importance of people deep-cleaning their homes at this time. According to the organizations, deep cleaning is a three-step process of cleaning, disinfecting, then sanitizing an environment to make surfaces cleaner and safe for people touching them.
Deep cleaning goes a long way to help control the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in many ways. Luckily, getting rid of unseen organisms like viruses and bacteria, along with other common pests such as bedbugs, silverfish, and moths, is much easier today.
The Difference Between Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing
It is essential to understand that regular surface cleaning does very little to kill living microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. All these germs are difficult to remove because most of our indoor cleaning involves wiping visible surfaces with water until they 'look clean.' Cleaning by scrubbing with a combination of water and cleaning product, though does not completely remove germs from the surface, is a crucial step in the deep cleaning process.
Scrubbing and surface cleaning is beneficial because it helps remove dirt and debris from the surface and gets it ready for other cleaning methods and products that kill germs to be more effective. Disinfectants and sanitizers refer to chemical products used to kill germs. Once a surface is thoroughly cleaned, then disinfected and sanitized, it should be completely free of germs and toxins. Thorough cleaning will often remove as much as 99.9% of germs on a surface, significantly lowering the risks associated with bacteria and viruses.
Disinfectants work on almost any surface, including wooden, plastic, or concrete. During a deep cleaning, every surface including marble, upholstery, drapes, fabrics, carpets, and stone surfaces should be cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized. The challenge most homeowners face is one they did not know posed the greatest danger: the germs and toxins in unseen surfaces such as air ducts and filtration systems. The air can blow these germs back into the house and may cause problems at a later time.
Deep Cleaning the Most Neglected Spaces Post-COVID-19
Most homeowners are very meticulous when cleaning their homes - at least when it comes to cleaning the visible areas and parts of the house and areas with the most foot traffic. However, there are some areas that they completely overlook, largely because they are out of sight. The air ducts and the entire air filtration system carry air in and out of the house. It is only natural that air blown into the house carries with it germs and debris hanging about the air ducts and filters.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cleaning the air duct and air filtration system is a tricky subject for homeowners because traditionally, air ducts do little to prevent germs from getting into the house. However, the times are different as it is now apparent that the Coronaviruses and other organisms blown into the ducts and trapped by air filters can stay alive in ducts for as long as several weeks.
A thorough cleaning of the home should include a deep clean of the air ducts and the air filtration system. The most notable importance of clean air ducts is that it helps reduce the chances of residents getting COVID-19 and other conditions because of germs blown back from the ducts into the house. Homeowners can remedy this situation by scheduling a thorough cleaning of the out-of-sight areas.
How to Deep Clean Home Air Ducts and Air Filtration Systems
Considering the intricacies involved, you probably should not be deep cleaning the air ducts and air filtration systems yourself. This is because the right way to clean the ducts requires the use of special truck-mounted powerful vacuums that have HEPA filters and other cleaning attachments. Without the equipment, the deepest reaches of your air ducts may not be well cleaned, and you will not be able to get out all the grime and germs.
The WHO and CDC highly recommend that you hire professional residential air duct cleaning services for efficient air duct cleaning. Here are the top three services you can expect when you hire a professional to clean out the air ducts and air filtration systems in your home:
1. A thorough cleaning of all grilles and air ducts.
This means the removal of dust, debris, gunk, and mold from the air ducts, leaving them visibly pristine. Be sure to include thorough disinfection and sanitization of the air ducts to ensure the removal of all germs, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
2. Filter cleaning and replacement
The air filter is almost always a home's first defense against air-borne germs, pollen, and debris. The importance of changing your home air filters regularly, especially in these post-COVID-19 times, cannot be overstated. Deep cleaning of the air filtration system often includes cleaning or replacement of the air filter. A dirty or clogged filter often compromises the amount of quality air that reaches the house. Proper cleaning may include the replacement of air filters and proper disposal of the used ones.
3. Indoor coil and blower motor cleaning
Dirty indoor coils and blower motors certainly affect the quality of indoor air in a home. If the air ducts are dirty, then the indoor air quality will be less than perfect. While scheduling a deep cleaning of your home, be sure to hire a company you choose that will clean the blower motor and the indoor coil as well.
Special Considerations for Cleaning Air Ducts
If you still feel that deep cleaning the air ducts in your home makes no sense, you are not the only one who thinks so. Many people do not understand how allergens, debris, and germs in the duct can cause problems for the people and animals living in the house. Before settling on who cleans your ducts, it is crucial that you understand the type of ductwork the air duct uses and which is the best way to clean it.
Old hard pipe ducts are often much easier to clean compared to the flexible modern ducts with many curves. Ducts with a vinyl interior pose a cleaning challenge as well because germs thrive on the plastic surface. The good thing, though, is that you may only need to clean your home's air ducts once a year or after a couple of years when done right.
Final Thoughts
No one ever needed to worry about wearing a mask in public before COVID-19. Today, it is mandatory to protect your body from viruses that abound everywhere. This also explains why it is critical to schedule deep clean your air ducts and air filtration systems in your home regularly and during deep spring cleaning to protect everyone living in it from lingering germs.
OKSR has been helping Oklahoma City Metro Area residents deep clean, disinfect, and sanitize their homes to live in cleaner environments for close to 40 years. If you need assistance or personalized advice on how to go about it, book a free consultation with Oklahoma Steam Clean & Restoration today to find out how best to clean your home's air ducts and filtration systems.
