Air ducts and dryer vents are very sophisticated systems. This is why DIY cleaning hardly ever works. Over the years, we’ve met homeowners who have attempted all sorts of crazy DIY hacks. One such out-of-the-box idea is dryer vent cleaning with a leaf blower. In case you’re contemplating such an idea, we’ll explain why this method will likely result in failure.

Dryer Vent Cleaning With a Leaf Blower: What’s Wrong With This?

Some homeowners try to remove lint with a powerful blast of air with a leaf blower. This doesn’t remove the lint. All it does is push the debris towards the opening without actually expelling the lint. This creates a clog that slows the clothing’s drying process.

When homeowners use a leaf blower, they disconnect the dryer and insert the leaf blower’s nozzle into the vent line. The air blast is supposed to force the lint out of the vent to the outside. This sounds simple enough. Unfortunately, the results usually don’t work as anticipated. Continue Reading →

Occasionally, when servicing a client’s ventilation system, our team finds cables inside the air ducts. This is becoming fairly commonplace since the ducts provide an out-of-sight location for the tendrils of lengthy cords. However, is this a clever hack or can it cause hidden damage?

The Issue with Running Cables Inside the Air Ducts

Air ducts are meant as a conduit for air, not wires. Inserting cables inside the ductwork may even violate building codes.

The reason we don’t advise this is because a technician can damage the cables during an air duct cleaning. This could render your phone line, Internet, and cable television out of service. When we clean ventilation shafts, we use a commercial rotary brush. The brush spins rapidly in a single direction. This can tangle, twist, mangle, and shred the cords, causing serious damage—both to the cables and the rotary brush. Continue Reading →

The air is beginning to dry up in the Pacific Northwest now that autumn is here. This can hamper your breathing if you have allergies. A humidifier inside your home can improve the indoor air quality and keep allergen levels in check. As a homeowner, should you consider whole-house or portable humidifiers for your residence?

Whole House or Portable Humidifiers: The Pros and Cons

Whole-House Humidifier

A whole-house humidifier is a permanent fixture mounted to the home furnace or HVAC unit. Continue Reading →

Air conditioning odors may indicate a number of problems. In most scenarios, there’s no need for alarm. Even so, you may need to clean the HVAC and air duct system. We’ll go over some of the common odors and what they mean.

Types of Air Conditioning Odors

Musty Odor

Do you detect a musty smell not unlike sweaty body odor? This may be a sign of mildew or mold inside the HVAC. During the dehumidification process, moisture collects in the air filter and duct-work. Mold can grow in as little as 24 hours if the moisture does not completely evaporate.

Address this problem by calling in a professional to change the filter and inspect the drain pan to make sure it’s draining properly. Continue Reading →

Many homeowners blame indoor pollutants on mildew, mold, cigarette smoke, and pet dander. Indeed, these are all conventional forms of pollutants. However, typical household clutter may also negatively impact indoor air quality.

How Clutter Contributes to Poor Indoor Air Quality

A cluttered space provides more surface area for pollen, dust mites, and other airborne particles to cling to. Excessive clutter also leads to more hard-to-reach areas. Homeowners often ignore these spots, thus allowing more particles to accrue over time.

A cluttered room also has limited airflow. A clean air duct is obviously vital for ample circulation. However, even a clean ventilation system can only do so much if the room is littered in dust-covered junk.

Air quality aside, researchers have linked clutter to numerous other health problems. Neuroscientists at Princeton University, for example, discovered that clutter diminished one’s ability to concentrate on cognitive tasks. If you follow feng shui, some say that clutter also disrupts chi energy flow. Continue Reading →

Here’s a fact most homeowners are unaware of: the home requires a regular chimney cleaning – even if it doesn’t have a chimney. Confused? Let us clarify: more precisely, you need a flue cleaning. The flue is similar to a chimney, and it needs routine maintenance much like the air ducts in your home.

What is a Flue?

Modern chimneys have a flue. This is an interior metal lining that transports soot, gas, carbon monoxide, and other toxic byproducts out of the home. Flues aren’t just found in chimneys; they’re also a mainstay in furnaces, boilers, and HVAC units. Continue Reading →

Mold thrives in humid and dark environments. Air ducts are both humid and dark. Unfortunately, since the deeper parts of the ducts are out of sight, mold spores often go unnoticed for many years and even decades. Black mold in air ducts is a serious hazard and requires a professional inspection to detect.

Why Black Mold in Air Ducts Is Hazardous

Due to the constant shift in humidity levels in the ducts, HVAC systems are the perfect breeding ground for mold. Humidity levels change as owners switch between the AC and the heater. The AC blows the mold spores into the air where they come to rest in the ducts and have a non-visible environment to incubate and thrive.

How to Detect Black Mold in Air Ducts

As mentioned, the mold is out of sight. You may, however, experience the common respiratory symptoms associated with mold growth. These are coughing, eye redness, throat mucus, headaches, dizziness, and skin inflammation. Even then, most people just often dismiss these as common spring and summer allergens. Continue Reading →

What causes a house fire? Common culprits include exposed wiring, unsupervised candles, and a faulty stove. Unbeknownst to most homeowners, a dirty dryer vent can also lead to a fire. We’ll explain the hazards of an uncleaned dryer vent and how it’s a common contributor of residential fires.

Dryer Vents as a Fire Hazard

Dirty dryer vents contribute to about 5000 U.S. house fires every year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This happens when a clogged dryer vent causes the appliance to overheat.

Is your dryer vent at risk? We compiled a list of warning signs that your dryer vent is clogged and may potentially be a fire starter.

• Your laundry does not completely dry after a full normal cycle
• Your laundry feels warmer than usual after a drying cycle
• You find exorbitant amounts of lint in the dryer after a cycle
• You find excessive amounts of lint in the lint trapper after a cycle

How to Prevent a Dryer Vent-Induced Fire

• Clean your dryer vent along with the air ducts at least once a year
• Clean the lint filter after every drying cycle. Replace the filter if you see a wax-like substance accumulating on the lint screen.
• Never operate the dryer before exiting the house. Dryer fires can break out and quickly spread if the appliance is unattended.
• Do not place clothing into the dryer that has been in contact with flammable liquids. A shirt smeared with cooking oil can catch fire if it’s in a dryer that’s overheating.

Have Your Dirty Dryer Vent Cleaned by a Professional

As mentioned, schedule a dryer vent cleaning once a year or if the appliance shows any of the described symptoms. Aurora Edmonds Furnace Cleaning cleans residential dryers and furnaces in the Greater Snohomish area. A dirty dryer vent is a fire hazard and puts your family and property at risk.

Dryer Vent Cleaning for a Safe and Efficient Home

Serving Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, King County
and South Snohomish County

Posted on April 22, 2020 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business

Resolve Airflow Problems in Your Tacoma Home

Many homeowners are rightfully concerned about germs in their home. This is reasonable given the current COVID-19 pandemic. Worldwide virus aside, the home is riddled with bacteria that can lead to other and far more common ailments, such as the conventional flu and the common cold. Often, the spread of germs in the home is in large part due to airflow problems in the air ducts. An air duct cleaning is likely in order for your home. Learn to identify the signs of obstructed airflow.

1. Air Leaks

Residential air duct systems consist of multiple sleeves screwed together. The sections where they intersect aren’t always airtight, allowing air to escape at the joints. This can be solved by using a sealant or mastic specifically designed for air duct joints.

2. Dirty Fan Blower

Air conditioners and furnaces have a fan blower that allocates air throughout the ducts. Dust buildup on the blades inhibits the blower’s ability to distribute air. The fan blower should be cleaned with every air duct and HVAC inspection. Continue Reading →

Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is invisible and has no odor, so it’s difficult to identify without a special detector. Burning fuel or other types of carbon-based materials releases this compound. CO can occur in or near your home when carbon-burning appliances are not properly maintained or vented. Since CO can’t be detected, carbon monoxide poisoning is a potential hazard in our homes.

Potential Sources of Exposure to Carbon Monoxide

There are a number of ways you or a family member could be at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Poorly maintained furnace
• Clogged chimney
• Blocked heating exhaust vents
• Improperly vented natural gas water heater or stove
• Using gas-powered tools indoors, or outside close to windows, doors or vents

Six Symptoms to Watch For

Exposure to CO can cause a number of symptoms. These include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Chest Pain
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Vomiting

If the level of exposure is high enough, the affected person will lose consciousness and may die. Continue Reading →