Contents
Content Summary
- One of the most common signs of dirty vents is a foul smell in the house.
- Even if you have an air filter in your house, it is still important to clean the vents on your heating/cooling unit or HVAC system.
- With existing skin problems, the skin is already sensitive, and exposure to pollutants will worsen the situation.
- Cleaning the vents is a simple process, but if you don’t have the time or your vents are in a hard-to-reach spot, then consider getting professional help.
How to Clean Dirty Vents
There are a couple of ways you can do this.
The simplest is to use a vacuum cleaner with a hose extension and run that over and between the vents. If you have a hose with a brush at the tip, that will be even more effective.
Alternatively, you can use a simple duster or rag and some soapy solution to wipe down the vents by hand. This is going to be a great approach to removing fine dust the vacuum may not have picked up.
Be sure to remove any debris that’s collected in the grill or around the edges of the vent. If you have pets, be sure to clean up any pet hair and remove large bits and pieces. Also, inspect the vents to make sure there is no molding or fungi growth. If there is, you’ll need a proper disinfectant to clean this out.
Indoor Air Issues
One of the most common signs of dirty vents is a foul smell in the house. Unfortunately, this is not the only unpleasant consequence of dirty vents.
Dirty vents can introduce harmful bacteria, bad smells, fungi, and a variety of other pollutants into the home. Even if you have an air filter in your house, it is still important to clean the vents on your heating/cooling unit or HVAC system. Air filters catch dust and small particles but do little against airborne diseases.
The air vents on your HVAC or AC unit are also drawing in air from the compressor, which is located outside, so pollutants from the outside can make their way into the home. A lot of this material will be stopped by the filters in the unit, and the rest will be deposited in the piping and vents. Cleaning the vents is very easy and only takes a few minutes.
Breathing Problems
Dirty vents are problematic for people with existing breathing problems such as asthma. Dirty vents, and the particles that they release, will aggravate these breathing conditions and may even trigger an allergic reaction in people who are especially sensitive.
It can also worsen ENT (ear, nose, and throat) issues, and it can seem like no medication is working. This is because the body is continuously facing an influx of contaminants.
Flu and Fevers
Moving a step forward from the breathing problems, the dirty air can trigger a fresh wave of issues such as flu, fevers, sore throats, and sore ears. Again, medication won’t be very effective, and these problems can persist for weeks unless the dirty vent is managed. These can be dangerous if left unattended for a long time as they impact the lungs and the respiratory tract.
Skin Irritation
People with skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema will also notice that their skin is flaring up, and the problem is worsening. The same particles that impact the ENT system will also irritate the skin. With existing skin problems, the skin is already sensitive, and exposure to pollutants will worsen the situation.
Eye Irritation
The pollutants can also enter the eyes and cause redness, itchiness, watery eyes, and other eye-related problems. Touching the eyes and rubbing them will only worsen the situation. Eye drops and eye cleansers will provide relief, but only temporarily.
Pollen Related Problems
Pollen-related problems such as watery eyes, stuffy nose, wheezing, and coughing can also be triggered because of the pollutants coming through the vents. Again, having medication will help slightly, but the real problem is the continuous exposure.
Cleaning the vents is a simple process, but if you don’t have the time or your vents are in a hard-to-reach spot, then consider getting professional help. Home Service Hookup works with homeowners and connects them to local businesses that do quality work. This way, you get top-quality service and don’t have to worry about finding the best people for the job.
