Air ductwork is made from sheet metal, usually aluminum or galvanized steel. Sometimes, they’re insulated with fiberglass sheets or fiberboard to insulate the ducts and reduce noise. If this is the case, it increases the risk of mold and mildew growth. Dust, pet hair, and pet dander also get trapped in ducts over the years, adding to the problems you’re experiencing.
Mold and mildew are allergens that impact your health. Older systems may have fiberglass that is starting to release small particles that irritate your lungs and can cause serious issues like asthma, allergies, sinus inflammation, and in rare situations, it can lead to a rare immune system disorder known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
There’s another issue to consider. If your home or business has heating systems, clothes dryers, cooking appliances, or water heaters that use gas, they create carbon monoxide. They exit the home or building through ventilation systems. When there are leaks in the ductwork, the gas can be drawn back into the living areas of the home through a process known as back-drafting. That could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Properly sealed ducts and vents eliminate this issue.
There’s an easy way to protect your family and workers. A duct restoration adds a coating that bonds with fiberglass and fiberboard to create a hard coating that resists mold and mildew.
The Steps Take During a Duct Restoration
It’s time to schedule a duct restoration, but you still have questions. One of the first things you want to know is how is the duct restoration completed?
The first step is to thoroughly clean all air conditioning ducts. The AC professionals will clean all areas of the ventilation system. This means removing grills and opening any access ports. A full inspection of the system takes place before the work begins to look for asbestos. If there is asbestos in an old system, work stops and specially trained asbestos professionals need to be called in.
Tarps or plastic sheets are used to protect furnishings and carpets in rooms where vents and access ports are located. The ducts are brushed to loosen any dust, dirt, and debris. Then, high-powered vacuums or HEPA vacuums are used to remove all particles from the ducts. If there is any flex duct, ask about replacing it. Sometimes, it’s more cost-effective to replace this type of duct.
Areas, where the fiberglass is accessible, are vacuumed to remove as much dust, dirt, and allergens. That step takes place after the ducts are cleaned. Drain pans, coils, and fans should also be cleaned during the cleaning process.
Once the fiberglass areas and ducts are clean, a mold-resistant coating is added to all areas of the ductwork. The type of sealant used may vary, but some of the commonly used coatings are made from latex or acrylic resin materials that withstand temperatures as low as -20F and as high as 200F. This strong, flexible coating fills cracks and gaps, preventing the loss of conditioned air as it moves through the walls and ceilings. It also is a semi-gloss texture to which dust and dirt do not easily stick.
As a result, your system cools effectively and is more efficient. Dust, dander, and other allergens don’t stick inside the ducts, creating cleaner air and fewer odors within the home. You end up saving money on your AC bills. EnergyStar.gov estimates that a professional duct sealing process can improve your system’s efficiency by 20%. Plus, you avoid allergies, asthma, and sinus inflammation.
As soon as the coating is in place, access holes are sealed and grills are reinstalled. Cleaning up the work areas is the final step.
How Long Does It Take?
It’s hard to correctly estimate how long duct cleaning and restoration takes without seeing the size of the HVAC system and the layout of the ductwork. The cleaning itself can take upwards of five hours. If the ducts are extremely dirty, it could take even longer.
After that step, the special coating is sprayed on all of the ducts. That can take several hours, again it depends on the size and layout of the system’s ducts. It dries quickly, so you won’t be waiting days to turn back on your AC system.
During the assessment of your system, the technician will go over everything with you. You’ll have a better idea regarding how long it should take, best-case and worst-case scenarios, and the cost of duct restoration and cleaning.
Do You Need to Do Anything Before Your Appointment?
You really won’t have to do much prior to your appointment. Ideally, you haven’t blocked any vents with furnishings. That ensures the efficiency of your system. If you do have tables or chairs in front of vents, moving them before the appointment is helpful.
You may have pets that can get in the expert technician’s way. Keeping them confined to another room is a good way to ensure your curious cat doesn’t go into an open vent or that your dog doesn’t get hit by equipment that’s being moved around the home.
Why Choose All Year Cooling?
Duct restoration isn’t a DIY job. It takes expertise and the right tools. We’ve been helping our new and established clients, more than 350,000 of them, for close to 50 years. We have decades of expertise with installations, restorations, and cleanings. We’ve installed more than 150,000 units during our extensive business history, so we have the experience you need to ensure the job is done quickly and correctly every time. That’s just one reason to choose All Year Cooling.
We’re licensed for air conditioner installations, repairs, and maintenance. With experts able to serve customers in six of Florida’s counties, our company has extensive reach throughout the state. Plus, we offer maintenance and installation coupons to help you save money. Reach out to us via live chat or by phone to see if we’re running any specials.
Professional cleaning of your AC ducts is important, but older ductwork should be inspected and restored to ensure efficiency. Schedule a free duct restoration estimate with All Year Cooling today.