While routine duct cleaning removes dust, debris and some contaminants from air ducts, disinfectant application provides an extra layer of protection by killing microbes that remain behind. Therefore, disinfectant application subsequent routine duct cleaning helps maintain good indoor air quality.
Routine Duct Cleaning
Traditional duct cleaning methods like vacuuming and hydro cleansing do remove visible dust and dirt from air ducts. However, they cannot eliminate all contaminants. Consequently, these contaminants:
- Mold – spores can survive vacuuming and lodge inside ducts.
- Bacteria – certain types may resist standard cleaning methods.
•Dust mites – parts of dust mites and egg casings often remain post cleaning.
These residual contaminants can continue to trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. Moreover, they may reproduce and eventually reach pre-cleaning levels.
Disinfectant Application
To combat these remaining microbes, disinfectant application involves spraying an EPA-registered disinfectant into ducts following routine cleaning. Hence, disinfectants:
- Kill mold, bacteria and dust mites left behind after vacuuming or hydro cleansing.
•Inhibit the regrowth of mold for several months.
•Provide ongoing reduction of microbial levels for 1 to 2 years.
Most duct disinfectants are safe, containing ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, citric acid or peroxyacetic acid. Furthermore, they:
- Pose minimal risk to humans at typical application levels.
•Do not damage ductwork material or HVAC equipment when applied correctly.
•Break down into water, oxygen and trace minerals after treating contaminants.
In summary, disinfectant application adds an extra layer of protection on top of routine duct cleaning. The disinfectants eliminate microbes missed by vacuuming, which decreases the allergens and irritants circulated through your HVAC system.
While duct cleaning removes bulk contaminants, disinfectant application targets remaining microbes. Therefore, combining the two methods provides the most thorough and long-lasting improvement to your indoor air quality. Routine cleaning removes what you see, while disinfection tackles what’s left behind.
In conclusion, applying a safe, EPA-registered disinfectant to your ducts after cleaning kills mold, bacteria and dust mites that survived initial efforts. The result is longer-lasting reductions in airborne contaminants, allergens and other indoor air pollutants.