Can Pet Dander Be Cleaned From Air Ducts?

There’s no doubt about it: Your pet is a member of your family. Whether you’re a cat person or dog person, our lovable furry friends provide companionship, happiness, joy and –unfortunately– pet dander.

Pet dander is one of the most common allergens in the United States, and the flakes from Fido can agitate sinuses and make asthma even worse.

But are you ready for more bad news? These particles can become trapped in your air ducts. The good news is that pet dander can be removed from your air ducts thanks to the services of First Call.

We will talk about how pet dander affects your allergies, what happens when it gets stuck in your air ducts and how air duct cleaning services like those at First Call can help you and your pets live happily ever after.

Pet Dander: One of the Leading Allergens in the US

An allergen is something that causes an allergic reaction. Pet dander is one of the most common allergens in the United States, in addition to pollen in ragweed.

In fact, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that as many as 3 in 10 people have allergic reactions to dogs and cats. Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies

While many people say they are allergic to pet hair, in actuality, they are allergic to pet dander which is a collection of flakes of dead skin.

And despite what you may have heard, there’s actually no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet. However, some breeds of dogs and animals shed significantly less—and have less pet dander — than others.

Pet dander can affect your health causing:

• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Wheezing
• Sinus problems
• Asthma symptoms

Add to this equation that air circulates through your heating and air conditioning system roughly seven times a day and you can see how something as small as pet dander can become a big problem.

How Can Pet Dander Be Removed from Air Ducts?

First, it’s vital to secure air duct cleaning services because this is not a DIY job.

While air filtration systems can help, nothing will be as effective as a thorough cleaning of your home’s air ducts.

Typically, we recommend cleaning your air ducts every three to five years. However, you may wish to clean them sooner if you have allergy symptoms that are getting worse, or you’ve recently completed a new renovation or construction project.

How Do Air Duct Cleaning Services Work?

First, before we start cleaning, we inspect the air ducts. This gives us a good idea of their initial condition and the scope of work required.

Then, it’s vital to create negative air pressure so contaminants won’t flood the rest of your home.

Once we have everything under negative air pressure, we uncover every register. This enables us to clean each individual air duct properly. Our industrial strength vacuums will remove dirt and debris from your system. We use a variety of tools including air compressors and rotating brushes.

While every job will vary depending upon the scope and size, most cleanings should take three to five hours.

The most important aspect is that we are able to clean your air ducts thoroughly without letting the dirt and pet dander spread throughout your home.

Some Things You Can Do In Between Air Duct Cleanings

There’s a lot you can do in between air duct cleanings to minimize your exposure to pet dander:

• You should vacuum and dust your house regularly to avoid a build-up of pet dander.
• In addition, try to avoid fabric-covered furniture, carpets and rugs which can trap pet hairs and dander.
• If you have a cat, be sure its litter box is far away from the air vent.
• When you brush your pets, be sure to do it outside to avoid tracking pet dander into the home.
• Change your air filters regularly.
  • HEPA filters are recommended by the U.S. Department of Health because they eliminate 99 percent of pollutants.
  • Be sure to examine the MERV rating of your filter. This stands for the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. This reports any filter’s capacity to capture particles that are between 0.3 and 10 microns.
  • While electrostatic filters are cost-effective and reliable, they may struggle to filter out larger pollutants, which could cause problems for those with respiratory problems.
  • Washable filters are a great economic option and typically can last for the entire life of your HVAC system. However, they have to be maintained in order to do their job well. They also have a lower MERV rating, so they may not be the best choice for someone who needs specialized filters.

First Call Is Always the Right Call When It Comes to Removing Pet Dander

If your allergies are off the charts, there’s no need to blame your pet. By having your ducts cleaned by an air duct cleaning service near you, we can get rid of the dander so you can live and breathe easier.

When it comes to air duct cleaning services, First Call rises above the competition. We are dedicated to professionalism, integrity and getting the job done right.

For decades, we’ve been the leading restoration company in the Burlington, Greensboro and Triangle areas.

Our business philosophy is simple: We put our customers first.

This is why we tackle your job with the same dedication whether it’s a 3-bedroom house or an industrial warehouse. We believe there’s no substitute for treating people with the dignity, care and respect that they deserve. Contact us to get started.

Next, let’s take a closer look at how our air duct cleaning can not only help you get rid of pet dander, but how it can help provide relief from fall allergies.

Fall Allergies? Air Duct Cleaning Services Can Help

It’s like a ritual, similar to returning to school or the start of football season.

Only this yearly tradition is seasonal allergies.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, not only are allergies the sixth leading cause of chronic illnesses in the U.S., but they also affect more than 50 million Americans each year.

What does this have to do with air duct cleaning services?

Everything.

Affordable air duct cleaning services like those at First Call can help eliminate a lot of the problems presented by seasonal allergies. We’ll take a look in greater detail about how it helps.

How Do Air Duct Cleaning Services Help Fight Fall Allergies?

First, let’s take a quick look at how one of these HVAC systems works.

The air ducts pull in outside air before they heat or cool it. This means that unfiltered air has dust, pollen and other allergens. Over time, these build up.

The result is misery for those who have allergies or conditions such as asthma.

Residential or commercial air duct cleaning services help by clearing these particles

How Do You Know It’s Time to Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

We get this question a lot. While the answer depends upon many things– the age of your house, the type of system you use—we typically say you should ask yourself the following questions:

Have you had them cleaned in the last three years?

We suggest a thorough cleaning every three years or even once a year. This is particularly important if someone in your home has allergies.

If you own a business, be aware of something called sick building syndrome. This means if you’ve not cleaned your air ducts—and you have employees who have allergies—you could be held liable if they develop chronic health problems.

Do your allergies get worse when you turn on your system?

This is a red flag that something is wrong—particularly if you spend a lot of time indoors.

Is your home a magnet for dust?

We’re not judging your housekeeping. In fact, if your air ducts need cleaning, it doesn’t matter how often you dust. When it accumulates repeatedly, you could have a problem.

Does your home have an unnatural smell?

It may smell a bit stale or even moldy (Mold removal is another important issue for homeowners. You can read all about it in our earlier article.)

Have you completed a construction or renovation project?

If so, it’s very likely that dust and other particles have found their way into your air duct system. Make sure it is cleaned in a timely manner after each product.

Are you sick more often—despite taking your medicine?

If you’re following doctor’s orders and you’re still having issues, it may be time to have someone from First Call inspect your air ducts. We can find and fix problems in a timely manner to help you remain as healthy as possible during allergy season.

What Makes First Call Different?

There are hundreds of restoration companies in North Carolina. Why should you choose First Call?

We’d like to think that the answer is something intangible.

Of course, we provide the highest level of customer service, and we also ensure that all our employees are highly trained and knowledgeable.

But there’s something else.

We’re a family company and not a franchise from a giant corporate conglomerate. We strive to reflect our dedication to each customer, treating them as we would our own family.

In addition, out of 100 restoration companies in North Carolina, we are one of the only 5 percent that drug test their employees.

Don’t wait until you have extensive allergy problems before you call us. Contact us today for an estimate on our affordable air duct cleaning services so we can get right to the heart of the matter, because First Call is always the right call.

Are you still on the fence about the value of air duct cleaning? Next, we’ll examine some elements demonstrating that air duct cleaning is a sound investment.

Are Air Duct Cleaning Services Worth It? 

The answer? It depends.

It depends upon how much it means to you to reduce your chances of being hounded by the tiresome nuisance of seasonal allergies.

If you have asthma, it depends upon how much it means to know that you’ll be able to breathe easier.

So, are air duct cleaning services worth it?

The question becomes much more than a matter of convenience; it becomes one of health and well-being.

The right answer can make a big difference.

As the leading air duct cleaning company, we understand that our job is about much more than making your home cleaner. It’s about minimizing the problems caused by dirty air ducts —problems that can affect your family.

We’ll look at some of the benefits that accompany air duct cleaning and why you should consider it as a part of regular home maintenance.

Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning Services

There are few things more precious than the air you breathe.

That’s why we stand behind our air duct cleaning services. In fact, we’ve outlined 5 major benefits you receive when your ducts are serviced regularly.

1. Your Environment is Cleaner

Even the most diligent housekeeper can’t avoid dust that settles on furniture, on fans or throughout your living space.

However, when your air ducts are clean and working at optimum efficiency, you’ll find that you won’t need to do intensive interior cleaning as often in order to have a hygienic and clean house. Servicing your air ducts can reduce the amount of dust that finds its way throughout your home, creating a more sanitary home environment.

2. You Have Fewer Allergens in the Air

North Carolina is a wonderful state and we’re proud to call it home. However, it’s no secret that the Greensboro, Burlington, and Triangle areas aren’t the best places to live if you have seasonal allergies.

Our area is full of pollen and ragweed particles that can easily end up in your home. If your air ducts aren’t cleaned regularly, they harbor these allergens and perhaps even other contaminants like bacteria and mildew.

Remember, your air ducts recirculate the air in your home. That means if you have allergens in your air duct system, they are simply being recirculated through your living space over and over. This is why air duct cleaning is a valuable asset.

3. Your Home Smells Better

Has your home ever had a stale smell? That’s the buildup of everything from pet odors to household cleaners settling into your air ducts. If you’ve recently completed a construction or renovation project, then you may find that paint fumes and other kinds of fine debris are circulating in your air.

Once your air ducts are cleaned and these elements are removed, your home smells cleaner because these odor-trapping particles have been removed.

4. Your Heating and Air Conditioning Are More Efficient

The ductwork in your home can be extensive. Throughout the years, they may have an extensive buildup of dust and grime. The result? They block the flow from the furnace and AC. Poor efficiency not only equals lackluster results, but it means your system is working harder than it has to. The result may end up hitting you in the wallet with a more expensive power bill.

In short, an efficient home is more comfortable, cleaner and more economical.

5. You Can Get Rid of Vermin

As we mentioned earlier, dirt and grime can take a toll on your home’s systems. If ducts are left unattended, it is not unusual for vermin to find their way in, causing even more damage to the ductwork.

Cleaning eliminates the problem and denies them a chance to invade your home.

The Leading Choice for Air Duct Cleaning Services in the Burlington, Greensboro and Triangle Areas

For decades, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one thing: Being first in customer service. This means treating your home with dignity and respect. It means offering you a fair value for services. It means helping your family return safely home after fire or water damage.

If you’d like to learn more about our air duct cleaning services near you, just contact us. Scheduling a consultation is quick and easy. You’ll see why First Call is the right call.