Tag Archives: mold

Central Humidifiers – What are the Pros & Cons?

Central humidifiers are built right into the heating and air conditioning system. They are designed to humidify your home by releasing a fine water vapor. While humidifiers are very useful, they do have the potential to make you quite ill if you do not maintain them properly.

Humidifiers are great at providing relief from dry skin, dry sinuses, bloody noses, and other respiratory ailments that are sometimes attributed to lack of moisture in the air. However, if not properly cleaned, dirty humidifiers can become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Be sure to consult your doctor before installing or using a central humidifier if you have asthma, allergies or any other respiratory health conditions.

Always follow manufacturer’s guidelines when setting humidity levels, as well as instructions for properly cleaning the humidifier. Your HVAC professional can also help guide you in proper use and maintenance of your unit. Here are a few tips for maintaining the cleanliness of your humidifier:

  • Always shut off the water supply before cleaning the drum and tray. Do this at least once monthly.
  • Inspect the float assembly for scale. Scale on the float can potentially cause leaks. Clean or replace.
  • Examine the area around your system for wetness, as this is an indication of a leak.
  • Clean or replace sponges or filters.
  • Always turn off the water supply during the summer months & clean and drain the drum and tray. If you have air conditioning, there could be a metal knob on the humidifier to block the air flow.

Over time, all humidifiers can build up deposits that can become very difficult to clean and remove. This can encourage growth of bacteria or mold. You may wish to consider replacing older humidifiers.

Looking for the Best Company for NJ Central Humidifiers & Installation Services?

DRX Duct Cleaning has been in business for over 10 years proudly serving the greater NJ area. Our staff has combined over 75 years of experience in the air duct cleaning and HVAC industry. Additionally, not only are we NADCA members, but we guarantee an NADCA certified technician on site at every job, every time, no exceptions! For more information or to schedule an appointment with the most exclusive air duct cleaners in NJ, contact us at (908) 755-2950 today.

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What Causes Indoor Air Quality to be Poor?

air conditioner cooling fresh system saving energy with clear blue sky background

Learn More About IAQ

The interior of your home or business can run into many issues along the line. Perhaps something that isn’t put in the forefront as much with routine check-ups can be indoor air quality. Yet indoor air quality is an essential thing to keep up with as it can affect the health and behavior of occupants inside. Read below to see how indoor air quality may be affecting you and see what strides can be made to improve upon it. As with anything, be sure to contact a professional if you’d like more in-depth information or recommendations more specifically made to your property.

What causes poor air quality?

Poor air can stem from a variety of reasons yet some common things that can cause it can be an accumulation of the following or stand-alone. Such things can be cigarette smoke, dust mites, mold and mildew, pet dander, household cleaning products. polyurethane, PBB, PCB, formaldehyde, and insects.

How can I improve overall air quality?

IAQ can be improved by a combination of several methods. It’s important to remember that your property has many systems, appliances, materials and even decor and furniture which can affect the air you breathe. (There are VOCs volatile organic compounds found in paints and furniture materials.) Some things that can help improve indoor air quality can start with your AC filters, ideally, these should be cleaned every 1-3 months or every month if there are smokers and pets. Another thing that can often be forgotten is to check your air ducts, the air ducts themselves are basically tunnels that deliver the warm and cold air across the property to vents. Now with humidity and dust, there can be certain things like mold and other contamination that can form inside them which can affect the overall indoor air quality. It’s safe to have your ducts checked at least every 1-3 years or as recommended by your HVAC professional.

What are the symptoms of bad air quality in the home?

Poor indoor air quality can cause some symptoms to emerge and in some cases, those who don’t have allergies or asthma can develop them with exposure over time. Some people may experience certain symptoms over others yet commonly you can experience coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, headaches, sinus congestion, dizziness, fatigue, and dryness or irritation of the eyes, nose, skin, and throat.

How do I get the best indoor air quality?

You can choose to implement professional services or impart some DIY endeavors that can easily be incorporated into your home to improve indoor air quality. An obvious way to cut indoor air quality is to maintain a cleaner home which not only helps with hygiene but can greatly cut dust, animal dander, mold and mildew from the equation. If you’re using household products with exasperating chemicals, make sure to ventilate the area by cracking the window or opening a door. In general, letting fresh air in is a good way to circulate bad air out. You could also invest in an air purifier,  just be sure to keep up with filter changes. The same can be said with filters in your greater HVAC system. 

How do I disinfect the air in my house?

Disinfecting your home can be done without chemicals fairly simply. It can be as simple as letting fresh air in or keeping houseplants. Some houseplants may even pull away from certain toxins from the area as seen with spider plants which are typically placed at bedsides for fresh air. You can also clean with nontoxic chemicals that can take away from less than ideal cleaning experiences. What’s more, essential oil diffusers or beeswax candles can be a great alternative to candles that have certain ingredients that aren’t best to breathe in. 

The most common dangerous domestic pollutants we can find in our homes - concept image

What are the 4 major indoor air pollutants?

  • Asbestos
  • Biological Pollutants
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  • Formaldehyde/Pressed Wood Products
  • Lead (Pb)
  • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
  • Pesticides
  • Radon (Rn)
  • Indoor Particulate Matter
  • Secondhand Smoke/ Environmental Tobacco Smoke
  • Stoves, Heaters, Fireplaces, and Chimneys
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

How can I check the air quality in my home?

Indoor air quality can be checked with air quality monitors which check levels of allergens, dust, humidity and chemical pollutants in the home. Natural gas detectors can also be added for gas leak detection and can detect not only carbon monoxide but other types of gas as well. 

What instrument measures air quality?

Air quality can be measured by an air quality meter such as the PCE-RCM 15 which is specifically designed to monitor indoor air quality. This meter measures the parameters for humidity, formaldehyde, temperature, PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and TVOC.

What is unhealthy air quality?

An AQI stands for air quality index and can go up to a reading of 500 with 301-500 readings considered as “hazardous.” “Unhealthy” air is read as an AQI of 151-200 and the reading of 101-151 can still be considered “unhealthy but for sensitive groups.” With the “unhealthy” reading everyone can experience adverse health effects.  

Contact A Professional HVAC Company For Assistance

A good way to cut poor indoor air quality from its source is to have an HVAC professional conduct air duct cleaning or change your filters for you. Here are also some tips regarding air duct cleaning 101 that may prove useful to you. Improving indoor air quality is essential in maintaining the health of the occupants inside your property. Contact a professional today to learn more about what efforts an be made to improve it for the better.

If you require assistance with indoor air quality in North Plainfield and Bridgewater, NJ call (908) 755-2950 with DRX DUCT LLC!

Having an Allergic Reaction? There Could be Mold in Your Air Ducts!

Air conditioner system with dirt

Symptoms of Allergic reaction caused by Indoor Air Pollution:

  • Worsening asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems
  • Headaches & nausea
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sinus congestion, sneezing, and coughing
  • Eye, skin, nose, and throat irritations
  • Memory loss, dizziness, fatigue, and depression

Are you or any of your household members suffering from any of the symptoms
listed above?

A majority of people are exposed to mold every day without experiencing any side effects.
However, people that already have preexisting mold allergies can have a reaction if they are
subject to an abundant amount of mold; with symptoms such as wheezing, rashes or hives,
itchy eyes, and respiratory failure. “One out of every six allergy sufferers’ symptoms can be
directly linked to the mold in air ducts.” cited from a 2005 study organized by the National
Institutes of Health in Total Health Magazine.

How to Avoid Mold Growth in Your Air Ducts

As you can see, the air ducts in your home are the biggest culprit. When the air conditioning system
cools down your home it leaves remnants of water inside causing a perfect environment for microbial
growth.

The EPA advises that you should have your ducts cleaned if there is noticeable mold growth on
the surface of your ducts, but there are many areas of your HVAC system that are not easily
visible. In order to bypass mold growth in your HVAC system, you must diminish origins of
moisture and have your air ducts cleaned as needed.

Eliminating and Preventing Mold in Air Ducts

  • Get your HVAC system checked out by a NADCA certified company-having the ducts
    cleaned by a NADCA certified company ensures that you will have your ducts cleaned by
    industry standards.
  • Set your air conditioning system on “recirculate” – by doing this, your system will extract
    most of the mold & pollen from your home.
  • Consider having hardwood floors or tile in your home as opposed to carpet.
  • Before entering your home take off shoes or wipe them thoroughly before entering.

Schedule Your Air Duct Cleaning Today!

Is it time to schedule a cleaning for your home’s air duct system? Seasonal cleaning could help you prevent an unpleasant allergic reaction. Give the DRX DUCT LLC team a call today at (908) 755-2950 to schedule your air duct cleaning in North Plainfield and Bridgewater, NJ. You’ll enjoy cleaner air in no time!

Will Duct Cleaning Remove Mold in Air Ducts?

mold in air ducts

If Moisture Gets Into Your Duct work, It Can Lead To Mold Growth.

Both home and business owners know that mold in air ducts or around the home is a serious issue within their property. Mold is started from spores which can be carried through doors, windows, and even your ductwork to inside your building and, given the right environment, can grow, leading to health issues for all of those within the building. Minimizing and eliminating mold at the first sign is important, which is why it is so important that businesses and homes have regular duct cleaning services. Ducts can be affected by many things and since they carry spores throughout the property may have some mold spores within them as well. If any moisture gets in the system, given a change of temperature or even a roof leak which can create a lot of damage in a short time and may seep into the ductwork itself, it may allow the mold to grow. Duct cleaning can reduce and stop mold in its tracks, removing the spores and even any growing mold from your system.

How Often Should You Clean the Air Ducts?

While getting regular air duct cleaning is the best thing to do, you may wonder how many times you really need this service. The number of times you may need cleaning will vary upon your needs, but a good rule of thumb is that any time you move, having the ducts cleaned is imperative. This will ensure any pollutants, dust, and even mold in air ducts is handled before you move into your new home or business. After this, the average for air duct cleaning is as needed, such as in the event of high pollen or if mold is discovered within the property, with an average of three years between cleanings. This will ensure your property maintains good quality indoor air and keeps the mold in air ducts at bay.

Why Get Your Ducts Cleaned?

A good cleaning will do more than just get rid of mold in air ducts! Over time, ductwork can get dirty. Because it passes so much air through it, it also inherently passes particles of dust, dirt, pollen, and more, which can land in the ducts and build up over time. These can be particularly harmful to individuals in your home or business. A good cleaning can handle these, returning quality to your indoor air and preventing health issues. Once all of these damaging particles are removed from your system you may even notice increased efficiency from your heater or air conditioner, as it will have fewer contaminants to contend with. This means that you will save on money during the intense seasonal shifts.

Commercial and Residential Duct Cleaning

Getting started on an air duct cleaning today can ensure you have a future with quality air conditioning and air quality. DRX DUCT LLC is here for you, providing you with services to get your ductwork back in top shape and even eliminate mold in air ducts! We are always ready to get to work on your home or business system in North Plainfield and Bridgewater, NJ. Give us a call at (908) 755-2950 today!

How Can I Prevent Mold Growth in My Home?

How Can I Prevent Mold Growth In My Home

Tips On How You Can Prevent Mold Growth.

There are many things you can do to reduce and prevent mold growth in your home. The best way to keep on top of things is through routine maintenance and cleaning. This way, in the event that something does happen, you will be more aware of when it happened, catch it before it gets out of hand, and possibly be able to pinpoint the root cause. Below are some suggestions on how to do this from your basement all the way to your attic.

• Many basements are damp and humid. This is an ideal environment for mold growth. Purchase a dehumidifier. Be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning it, and remember to empty it daily.
• Add drain gutters to your drain pipes and make sure the water is diverted at least 5’ from the foundation of your home.
• Be sure your clothes dryer is properly vented. The dryer needs to be vented to the outside in order to properly control the amount of humidity in your laundry space.
• Seeing condensation on windows can be a clue of humid conditions in your home. The seal on the window could have been compromised, causing moisture to get inside. Should this be the case, it must be corrected ASAP.
• Examine your walls for wet streaks, spots, or stains. This could be an indication of a hidden leak which can lead to mold growth. Any wet spot should be thoroughly investigated.
• Use a flashlight to inspect underneath your kitchen and bathroom sink for leaky pipes. If you find any signs of leaking water, schedule your plumber to come out ASAP.
• Mold growth in bathrooms is very common. Be sure to turn on the exhaust fan, or open the window every time you shower. Be sure the exhaust fan is properly installed and venting outside your home, not into your attic.
• Keep floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture dry. If something does become wet, try to dry it out within 24 -48 hours. (This is the generally accepted time frame for mold growth after water intrusion.) Discard any furniture items that could not be dried.
• Use your kitchen exhaust fan to remove excess humidity created when cooking and washing dishes. Make sure your fan is properly installed to exhaust outside your home.
• On a low humidity day, open some windows and doors to allow fresh air to flow in.
• Roof leaks will leave stains on the ceilings and occasionally on walls. You may notice a dark spot or paint peeling. Do not simply paint over the stain. Uncover the cause and make the necessary repairs before it gets out of hand.
• Peek in your attic a few times a year just to be sure, even if you do not see any water marks on your ceiling.

Mold can also grow in your furnace and AC coils. Having your air ducts and coils cleaned every 2-3 years is a good idea to prevent any surprises. If you schedule a dryer vent cleaning with DRX at the same time as your air duct cleaning, you’ll also save money! We’ll also include free sanitizer. Call us today at (908) 755-2950 for air duct cleaning NJ.