air duct Cleaning
You’ve been keeping every surface in the room clean and sanitized.
But what about the surfaces you can’t reach?
Air circulating through the home should come out clean and fresh,
but all too often dust, allergens and toxic debris have settled into the ducting systems
and need to be removed through a thorough cleaning.
Cleaner air means greater comfort and improved health,
especially if there has been an overgrowth of mold, obnoxious odors,
or other irritating contaminants. Those suffering from allergies often find relief,
and anyone with sensitivities to dust will thank you.
Clearing the ducts and air passages throughout the home takes careful diligence and skilled precision,
but the results are priceless and the lasting benefits cannot be ignored.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Lack of maintenance is the leading cause of dryer fires, and lint is the leading material to ignite.
Dryer fires can be caused by insufficient airflow and lint build-up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct.
We remove all the debris and clean the air duct and vent walls, leaving nothing behind.
Call us for dryer vent cleanings to increase your dryer’s efficiency and reduce the risk of a fire.
Cold Air Return Cleaning
Over time, cold air return collect dust and dirt.
Cleaning these intake vents not only removes any dust bunnies and cobwebs that have collected,
but it also reduces the amount of debris that will collect on the vents’ slats.
Dust and grime tend to only collect more dust and grime.
Furnace cleaning
Air flows more efficiently through a clean furnace system, and may also help people with allergies.
The furnace system is a vital element in any home. Hidden away out of sight,
it is easy to overlook.
But regular maintenance and cleanings will help assure many continued years
of service and dependability.
During a cleaning, dust, mold, pollen and other pollutants are removed from the furnace and duct systems,creating a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone.
Moreover, a clean furnace operates more efficiently than a neglected one,
reducing energy costs and having a positive impact on the monthly utility bills.
Filter Replacements
If you don’t think that changing your filter is important, here are a few reasons why
you should change the filter to your HVAC system.
The U.S. Department of Energy says that replacing a dirty filter with a clean one
can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5 to 10 percent.
Not only will it save you money on your energy bills,
but it also can save you money on your heating and cooling system.
A dirty filter will restrict your air flow, causing your system to work harder.
This will cause wear and can create issues that possibly require repairs.
Also continuous wear on your system will lower the lifespan of your system.
So do yourself and your heating and air system a favor,
don’t forget to change the filters!
Duct Repair
If you suddenly realize that your heating and cooling costs are beginning
to be unusually high, that could mean that you are in need of air duct repair.
The main thing that generally causes this is a hole in the air duct that allows
for a loss of energy. In order to save yourself some money,
check to see if there is easy access to ducts.
If there is, then you can fix this problem yourself
without calling in a professional to do the work.
Follow the guide below to do just that.
Step 1 - Find the Holes
Check to see where the hole or holes might be located.
You can do this by turning your thermostat to 'On' and not 'Auto.'
Once you have done this you can examine the ducts in order to find where they are leaking.
After you have found the leak turn off the thermostat.
Step 2 - Fix the Flex Duct
If you find that the flex duct is loose and has fallen off,
you will need to remove the previous Panduit strip.
Now pull the outer layer and insulation back about 8 to 12 inches
and fit the inner layer into what is called the boot connection.
Secure it with duct tape and secure inner layer with a new Panduit strip.
Put the outer layer back on and secure with another new Panduit strip.
Step 3 - Fix a Rip
Should the flex be ripped, the first thing you should do is to clean the ripped
flex very good so that there is no problem with creating a seal.
Hold the ripped part together and secure them with some duct tape.
After you have done that you will take some of the mesh you have and place
it on the rib. Then you will take the paint brush and paint the mastic
sealant over the mesh. Put plenty on the area.
Allow it to dry for at least 10 minutes.
If you find that the rip will not hold, try stapling it together.
Step 4 - Test the Duct
You should wait a few minutes after the sealant has dried before you test the duct.
Once you are ready to test it turn the thermostat back on.
If you feel no air coming through where the mend is, you have fixed your problem.
Step 5 - Seal the Heat Duct
Sealing a heat duct is a little different since you will need to use caulk and a caulking gun.
Where you find the leak you will use the caulk to seal up the area that is leaking.
Using a putty knife you will cover all the seams and joints that need to be sealed.
When you can’t reach a certain area you should try to use foil tape and acrylic adhesive.
This will hold better than duct tape.
Make sure to check the caulking tube to see how long it takes to
dry before turning the unit back on.
Of course if none of this works you may have to actually replace the ducting.
Either way, doing it yourself will save you a ton of money.
Crawl Space Inspection
Check for mud tubes on structural wood.
If you find tubes, break them open to see if termites are active.
Scrape away old tubes so that you can check later for new activity at some later date.
Check structural wood on the foundation for signs of decay or termite activity.
Wood located opposite earth-filled porches is often vulnerable to moisture problems,
which can lead to attack by wood-decaying fungi, termites and carpenter ants.
Probe or "sound" wood by taping it with a screwdriver,
knife or ice pick to check for hidden termite activity or damage.
Basement walls should be checked for signs of termite tubes.
Look for cracks in basement walls that can lead to termite and other other problems.
Mold or water stains on wood, particularly near water lines may indicate a leak that needs repair.
Mold and mildew growing on the wood surfaces do not cause wood decay,
but they are a good indicator of excess moisture,
which is a condition conducive to termite activity.
Clothes dryer ducts should vent to the exterior of the house.
A disconnected or damaged duct will vent warm moist air into the crawlspace,
creating conditions conducive to termites.
Check periodically to make sure that your dryer duct has not come loose.
Fallen insulation may lead to moisture problems and the paper
backing on insulation laying on the ground can be attacked by termites.
Rehang or replace fallen insulation.
Also, make sure that your insulation is installed properly.
In most cases, if there is a vapor barrier (the paper side) on the insulation,
it should face your living space (i.e, towards your subfloor).
Remember: termites can eat practically anything made of cellulose.
Do not leave cardboard boxes and wood debris in the crawlspace.
Whenever possible, avoid using your crawlspace for storage.