What's Hiding in Your Air Ducts?

 

If you've ever wondered what's hiding in your air ducts, the answer may surprise you. From mold and fungus to spiders and even birds, it's no secret that many household pests find themselves right at home among the insulation and other debris of your air ducts. The main purpose of an air duct cleaning service is to remove those organisms so they can't cause damage or discomfort to your family's health and safety.

Read on if you want to learn more about what's hiding in your air ducts and how you can keep them clean!

Dust or Debris

Your air ducts are full of dust and debris. This can be a health hazard, as it can cause respiratory problems. It can also lead to allergies and other medical issues. The best way to clean your air ducts is to hire a professional. They will have the proper equipment to clean your ducts and remove all these annoyances.

Mold or Mildew

If mold or mildew is growing in your air ducts, it's important to take action immediately. Not only is mold unsightly, but it can also cause health problems for you and your family. Inhaling their spores can induce respiratory problems, and people with allergies may have bad reactions to the mold. And, if you have young children or pets, they may be more susceptible to its effects.

Insects

Believe it or not, insects are the most common type of wildlife found in air ducts. While most of these critters are harmless, some can carry diseases that can be harmful to humans. If you have an infestation, getting rid of them as soon as possible is important. It's also good to regularly clean your air ducts because dust and other debris may attract these pests.

Other Animals

You won't be the only one using your home's air ducts to stay warm this winter. Mice, rats, birds, and other small animals can often reside in air ducts, where they build nests and raise their young. These animals can cause all sorts of problems, from leaving droppings that contaminate your air to chewing through wires and insulation.

Get in Touch With us For All Your Air Duct Cleaning Needs

Getting your home and business ready for winter weather and protecting your heating can be time-consuming tasks, and it is often best to bring in some professionals to help. Contact GreenPro Cleaning and Restoration to take care of your ducts, attics, crawl spaces, and water damage.

4 Ways To Make Your Home's Cooling Last Longer

 

Imagine this: It's a hot summer day, and you're enjoying your indoor cooling when all of a sudden… it stops working! As temperatures rise, it's important to take precautions against potential issues. Keep you, your family, and your home comfortable all season long. Here are four ways you can keep your cooling system running longer.

AC Maintenance

One of the best ways to make your home's cooling last longer is to keep up with regular AC maintenance. This means having a professional come and inspect your unit at least once a year and changing your air filter and more every month. Keeping up with these small tasks can add years to the life of your HVAC system!

Change Your Air Filters

The first thing that needs checking when a cooling system starts having problems is its filters. A filthy filter can lead to reduced airflow, which causes your air conditioner to not function properly, eventually leading to issues. This will also cause dirt or dust particles to get blown into your home's air — which is not fun for whoever has to breathe that air!

 

Seal Crevices

By sealing any cracks or crevices in your home, you will prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from seeping in. This will help your home maintain a comfy temperature for longer periods and ensure your AC doesn't have to work overtime — thus causing problems with the system. Weather-stripping or caulk can seal any gaps around doors and windows.

Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned

One of the best ways to ensure your home's cooling system is running efficiently is to get your air ducts cleaned. Over time, dust and debris can build up in your ductwork, making it harder for your AC to do its job. A professional duct cleaning can clear out all the built-up gunk and help improve your home's airflow!

Get in Touch With us For All Your Air Duct Cleaning Needs

Getting your home and business ready for winter weather and protecting your heating can be time-consuming tasks, and it is often best to bring in some professionals to help. Contact GreenPro Cleaning and Restoration to take care of your ducts, attics, crawl spaces, and water damage.

Potential Health Effects Associated With Water Damage

 

Whether from a plumbing leak or a large-scale natural disaster, getting water damage in your home is dangerous and exhausting. While it has the potential to destroy parts of your house, such as its structure, water damage also poses a threat to your health. Any inhabitants living in your humble abode could be exposed to a high-risk environment!

Here are some of the potential dangers long-term water damage can bring to your health and how to clean up your home after a disaster:

Mold and Mildew Growth

Mold and mildew are notoriously known to grow in areas with flood water or water damage. Areas trapped by moisture are their favorite places to hide, but you’ll know if you have an invasion on your hands if you see mold spores, smell damp or odorous air, or have increased asthma and allergy issues.

Short-term exposure is most likely to cause occupants with allergies or asthma to feel symptoms more. Mold and mildew also cause sinus congestion, eye irritations, and nose and throat inflammation. Long-term exposure can often lead to shortness of breath and fevers — so needless to say, it should be dealt with right away!

Poor Indoor Air Quality

Allergy and asthma sufferers, as well as young children and the elderly, are more likely to be susceptible to the types of poor indoor air quality water damage can cause. While this is partially due to mold or mildew growth, it could also be the result of water contamination or damage to your HVAC system. If sick symptoms continue even after mold and mildew have been cleared out of your home, it may be time for an air duct cleaning.

 

Toxic Mold Growth

Mold can grow fast, and in spots we least expect. Often, toxic mold occurs when a flood-damaged area in your home has not been cleaned and disinfected properly. This type of mold is more cause for concern for your health, as it’s known to cause more serious respiratory issues, as well as insomnia, memory loss, inability to concentrate, and confusion.

Water Damage Evaluation in Suffolk County

At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we will test for water damage to ensure you and your family are safe after a rainstorm. If you suspect that there may be a problem in the home or building, call us to schedule your indoor evaluation at 631-940-8100.

How Your Crawl Space Affects Your Home's Cooling

 

The Effects of Your Crawl Space on Home Cooling

Most homeowners know that the crawl space beneath their house plays an important role in protecting their homes from water damage. Still, not many realize that it also greatly impacts the indoor temperature of their home, which can affect their energy bills and comfort level.

If you want to ensure your home stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter, pay close attention to how your crawl space affects the temperature of your house. 

Here are three ways your crawl space can affect your home's cooling system.

1.) Crawl Space Condensation

When the warm, humid summer air hits the cool concrete floors and walls of your crawl space, condensation can occur. This creates a damp environment where wood beams can become wet, and mold can start growing. Not only is this a health hazard, but it can also affect your home's cooling. Warmer air rising from a damp crawl space can make your home harder to cool, and mold spores can spread through your ductwork, affecting indoor air quality.

2.) Moisture Issues and Problems

The air outside your home carries moisture, pollutants, allergens, dander, mold spores, and microparticles that can hurt your health. When this air enters your home, it can cause several problems. The moisture in the air can condense on the cool surfaces in your crawl space, leading to mold and mildew growth. This can not only damage your home but also lead to health problems for you and your family. 

Additionally, excessive moisture can have negative effects on HVAC systems by damaging equipment or reducing airflow.

3.) Protecting Your Crawl Space in Summer

The first step to protecting your crawl space is to control the moisture. You can do this by ensuring the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation. You should also ensure there are no leaks in your plumbing or HVAC system. To make the environment less hospitable for pests and mold, keep the area well-ventilated and free of debris. Additionally,  consider sealing any cracks or openings in the foundation.

Contact Us Today For All Your Crawl Space Restoration Needs

Your crawl space can have a big impact on your home's cooling. If it’s dirty or cluttered, it can make your home harder to cool and lead to higher energy bills; that's why it's important to keep it clean and free of clutter. But cleaning your crawl space can be a challenge, especially if you're not used to doing it. That's where we come in! 

Contact GreenPro Cleaning and Restoration to take care of your crawl space damage and cleaning needs.

Common Insulation Issues

 

The insulation in your home can greatly impact your comfort and utility bills, as well as the environment, so you want to ensure that it’s in good shape. You may not even be aware of many common insulation issues, but here are the most common reasons why your insulation might need replacing or updating.

Fire Risks with Inadequate Fire Retardant Materials

When choosing insulation for your home, you want to ensure that it will protect your property from fire and damage. There are a few different options for insulating, such as fiberglass batts or rolls of material used in blown-in insulation. Be sure to choose the right product for your needs so you can keep the risks low in your home.

Improper Ventilation, Regulations, or Permits

Installing insulation without proper ventilation can cause deadly carbon monoxide in your home. Before you buy, hire a professional to ensure your house meets all local, state, and federal codes regarding safe insulation installation.

If it doesn’t, an added cost may be necessary to make your new insulation safe before installing it. But it’s worth paying for peace of mind that you won’t later be faced with a house full of poison gas or even a total collapse.

Attic Stairway Blockage That Leads to Mold Growth

The attic stairway can become a perfect hiding place for dust, dirt, and insulation. When these particles collect into a single area, they have nowhere to go but down, landing on your insulation below. This is one of the most common causes of mold growth in many attics. If you see that there’s no insulation on some or all of your attic stairs, call a professional to come and clean up any existing mold.

Outside Air Leaks Into Attic Spaces

If your home’s insulation has been properly installed, there should be no gaps where air can leak into an attic space. However, homes are not always insulated properly during construction. Over time, even if installed correctly, it can deteriorate and lose its ability to block outside air from entering a home through leaks.

When it comes to your insulation system, if you can feel a draft coming through a wall or window, then outside air may be entering your home in areas you didn’t know about before.

Vapor Insulation Installations For Suffolk County

At Greenpro Cleaning and Restoration, we want to help you protect your home for the long run. We’ll be sure to install a vapor barrier that lasts and provides your home with the protection and comfort it needs.