Contaminants in Ottawa Ducts

To maintain a healthy home, it’s important to keep your air ducts clean and free from unwanted contaminants. Over time, a buildup of various particles and substances can accumulate in your ducts, reducing system efficiency and potentially impacting indoor air quality.

Road Dust and Vehicle Emissions –

Ottawa has many major roadways and highways. Fine dust particles from road abrasion and vehicle emissions like carbon, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxides can make their way into ducts.

Industrial Pollutants –

Ottawa is a hub for government institutions and technology companies. Emissions from local industries and traffic can deposit pollutants like volatile organic compounds and heavy metals into ducts over time.

Cooking Fumes and Odors –

Cooking spills, oil vapors and food particles from Ottawa homes with active kitchens can accumulate in ducts. This causes odors and potentially impacting indoor air quality.

Construction and Renovation Debris –

Homes undergoing renovations or with new construction nearby are at risk of having drywall dust, insulation fibers, paint particles and other construction debris enter their ducts.

Tobacco Smoke Residue –

For homes with smokers, residue from tobacco smoke consisting of tar, nicotine and chemicals can stick to the inside of ducts, lowering efficiency and contaminating indoor air.

Pest Droppings and Carcasses –

Pests like rodents, birds and insects that occasionally enter Ottawa homes through openings can leave droppings, carcasses and shed skins inside ducts that foster further microbial growth.

Household Chemicals –

Chemicals from common household cleaners, air fresheners and detergents used in Ottawa homes gradually deposit into ducts. Over time this can pollute indoor air and react with other contaminants.

Sewer Gas –

In rare cases, sewer gas from waste lines in need of repair can enter ducts through leaks. Therefore, it poses a health risk to occupants from bacteria, mold, hydrogen sulfide and other contaminants in the gas.

In summary, as you can see, there are a wide range of potential contaminants that accumulate in Ottawa’s residential air ducts over time. Your duct cleaning company will assess your specific home and HVAC system to determine the unique buildup you’re facing. Thus, they decide the best methods to properly remove it.