Best air duct cleaners near Bayard, NM

While you can attempt to remove mold from ductwork using a mixture of water, baking soda, and laundry detergent, flexible ducts are fragile and may tear when you scrub at the mold to remove it. If you suspect mold is growing in your flexible ductwork, it’s best to contact a professional for help.

Return air ducts should generally not be installed in rooms with high humidity, contaminants, or strong odors. This includes bathrooms, kitchens, garages, closets, attics, and furnace or boiler rooms. Placing vents in these areas can draw moisture, fumes, odors, and potentially hazardous gases like carbon monoxide into your HVAC system, which can damage ductwork, promote mold growth, and compromise your home's indoor air quality and safety. According to the International Code Council, there are some exceptions. For example, a return duct may be placed in a kitchen if it is at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances and serves only that room. Similarly, a garage can have a return duct if it is part of a dedicated forced-air system that only serves the garage. For optimal performance, prioritize installing return air vents in central locations and rooms with consistent temperature needs, such as bedrooms and living spaces. If you are unsure, consult a professional duct installer for guidance.

You can experience respiratory problems if your return air vents are dirty. While this doesn’t necessarily mean dirty return air vents will make you sick, they can exacerbate symptoms of respiratory illness, such as sneezing, wheezing, and coughing. This is due to the extra contaminants in the air, which may include allergens and dander that can affect people with allergy sensitivities.

Attics are particularly dusty because dirt and pollen enter through cracks in your insulation and then sit untouched for long periods of time. To control dust in your home, it's important to vacuum and wipe down attic surfaces whenever you clean. If you use your attic as a finished living space, consider adding an air purifier or speaking with a roofing contractor about possible openings in the top of your home.