Traditionally, air duct cleaning has relied on vacuuming to remove contaminants from the inside of ductwork. However, more can be done to achieve deeper, more thorough cleanings. Fortunately, an innovative technique called ozone injection cleaning is gaining popularity for thoroughly sanitizing air ducts.
Ozone Injection
Rather than solely using vacuums, ozone injection introduces ozone gas directly into ductwork prior to vacuuming. Ozone, a form of oxygen, is a powerful oxidizing agent. When injected, it comes into contact with organic debris like dust, dander, pollen, and mold spores suspended in the air ducts. Interestingly, ozone breaks chemical bonds in these contaminants, which leads to a chemical reaction. This reaction essentially pre-treats the debris, altering its structure and properties.
Specifically, the reaction caused by ozone can help break particulates down into smaller, looser pieces. As a result, when vacuuming subsequently occurs, decomposed debris is much easier to remove from duct surfaces and deeper recesses of the ductwork. The vacuums can more readily suck up debris that was previously stuck fast. By comparison, traditional vacuuming alone may have difficulty detaching years-worth of caked-on muck, especially in hard-to-reach areas like behind registers or underneath ducts in crawlspaces.
Ozone Kills Microbes
Additionally, studies have shown that ozone is highly effective at killing microbes like bacteria, viruses, and mold present in air ducts. When ozone reacts with organic matter on contaminated surfaces, it disrupts cellular structures and essentially disinfects any microbes left behind. Consequently, residual microbial growth that could trigger asthma or building-related illnesses is eliminated. The end result is truly clean, sanitized ductwork rather than ducts that merely look clean.
While potentially risky at unsafe exposures levels, ozone applied properly during duct cleaning poses little risk. Certified duct cleaning technicians are trained in safely injecting and vacuuming ozone from ducts. The ozone is either sucked out along with debris or quickly breaks down to ordinary oxygen once exposure ends. Homeowners can rest assured that, when handled carefully, ozone sanitization does not introduce new indoor air pollutants like some chemical treatments might.
In summary, ozone injection cleaning represents a new paradigm that goes beyond surface cleaning to deeply sanitize air duct interiors. By chemically pre-treating debris, it allows for more thorough vacuuming and removal of contaminants. Ozone likewise kills microbes throughout ductwork, resulting in truly clean and hygienic airflow. As such, homeowners with respiratory or indoor air quality concerns stand to significantly benefit from this cutting-edge air duct cleaning approach.