Carpet & Duct Blog

Because we are in the business of carpet and duct cleaning and Atlanta chimney cleaning we pay close attention to relevant industry news. A recent incident that occurred in the state of Washington highlights the need for diligence when it comes to the prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning, and we would like to share it with you here today on the blog.

A technician who worked for a carpet cleaning service was cleaning the carpets at a commercial location using truck mounted equipment. He parked the truck in the warehouse that adjoined the offices that he was contracted to clean, and of course he had the cleaning equipment running in the enclosed warehouse. This type of system is fueled by gasoline from the fuel tank, and tragically, the worker succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning and passed away without ever noticing that he was in any sort of peril.

We can all recognize the need to protect ourselves from dangers that we can see, but carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it is colorless and odorless. Since we are Atlanta chimney sweeps as well as carpet and duct cleaners, we are acutely aware of the fact that creosote deposits that accumulate on the sides of your chimney can inhibit proper exhaust ventilation, and aside from being a fire hazard, that gas can make its way back into your house if the pathway out of the chimney is not clear.  Literally thousands of people die from carbon monoxide poisoning each and every year, and countless more experience lesser degrees of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by dirty chimneys.

This is the time of year when every responsible homeowner needs to have a qualified Atlanta chimney cleaning company come out and make sure that your chimney and fireplace are clean and free of potentially life threatening creosote deposits. Call Atlanta Carpet and Duct at 770-806-6006 or contact us through this website for more information or to set up an appointment for chimney sweeping in Atlanta and vicinity.

A lot of people are talking about the health hazards of indoor air pollution these days, and they are significant, especially for people who suffer from asthma and specific types of allergies. As Atlanta carpet and duct cleaners, helping to maintain the indoor air quality of our customers is one of our primary functions. In addition to providing expert carpet and duct cleaning services, we also like to do all that we can to educate our customers so that they can better understand the causes of poor indoor air quality and take steps to keep the air that they are breathing clean and healthy.

Everyday household products are one of the most common and overlooked causes of indoor air pollution. Most of the typical products that we use to clean our homes, wash our clothes, and keep our bodies clean and fresh contain countless combinations of toxic chemicals that can impact our indoor air quality. As a duct and carpet cleaning company, we do a lot of research on the subject, and the American Lung Association offers the chart below that breaks down the common household products that cam diminish your indoor air quality.

If you take notice of the last type of household product that is covered in the chart, certain types of carpet and upholstery chemicals can have very harmful health effects. This is why Atlanta Duct Cleaning uses nothing but non-toxic, organic, environmentally friendly cleansing solutions. The green cleaning products that we use are tough on dirt, but very gentle on the environment.

The best defenses against the potentially damaging effects of these products is to use non-toxic versions, but if you do have to use them, use only as much as you need. Always make sure that you read the instructions and warnings on the labels, and when you can, contract the services of a professional who utilizes environmentally friendly alternatives to toxic chemicals.

The best way to keep your carpets and ducts clean without worrying about toxic chemical contamination is to contact the green cleaning team at Atlanta Carpet & Duct. We are standing by to serve your carpet and duct cleaning needs and we can be reached at (404) 509-8591.

Source: LungUSA.org

When you clean carpets and ducts, you are helping people live in a healthy and pleasant environment, but there are some services that we offer that can help to prevent serious fires, and dryer vent cleaning is one of them. It may seem like a dryer fire is something that is very rare, but in fact, there are around 15,000 dryer fires in a typical year. Most of us just turn on the dryer and forget about it until our clothes are dry without considering the fact that it takes a lot of heat to do the job. It is important not to have any buildup of flammable substances in or around the dryer, and the lint that builds up in the dryer and vents is extremely flammable. This is a common danger that many of us overlook, so we would like to share five tips that can help you avoid a dryer fire.

1. Be careful when you are drying clothes that have have been exposed to flammable substances.

If you have some clothing that has absorbed potentially flammable chemicals, you need to be very certain that these garments have been thoroughly washed before you put them into the dryer. You might want to wash these items more than once, and if you aren’t sure whether or not they are completely safe to put in the dryer, you can always hang them out to air dry.

2. Make sure that the area around the dryer is clean and free of lint.

It is important to make sure that lint is not building up around the dryer, and this is especially true of the area between the back of the dryer and the wall. You may not think to clean back there, but if there is a buildup of lint behind your dryer and some sparks happen to fly, the result could be disastrous.

3. Use metal duct to avoid kinking.

When you use the plastic or foil ducting that is flexible it can kink and lint often builds up in the resultant “elbows,” gradually blocking the flow of air. If you do use these types of ducting, be aware that when you twist it or turn it at an angle you may be limiting the ability for air to flow through it smoothly. Use common sense and make sure that your ducts are facilitating an unobstructed air flow.

4. Remember to clean the lint screen every time you do a load of clothes.

It’s easy to forget about the lint filter, but it needs to be cleaned every time you dry a load of clothes. If you are wondering how important it is to get the lint out of a very hot machine, do you know that lint is commonly used as a fire starter?

5. Have your dryer vent and duct cleaned by a professional.

It is very difficult for the typical home owner to effectively clean their own dryer ducts and vents, and this is one of the reasons why many households are at risk. Atlanta Air Duct Cleaning specializes in dryer vent cleaning, and we would be more than glad to keep your dryer safe with a thorough cleaning of your exhaust system. A little bit or home fire prevention goes a long way.

May was Asthma Awareness Month, and when you clean air ducts for a living, you develop quite an understanding of this widespread public health challenge. Asthma Awareness Month is intended to spread information about this chronic disease, letting the public know exactly what it is, how it affects people, and what we can do to prevent and control asthma episodes.

Asthma Awareness Month is necessary because the enormity of this epidemic cannot be overstated, but the public at large does not realize how many people this disease is affecting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that there are approximately 23 million asthma sufferers here in America, and in just the last year alone 12 million of them have had an asthma attack. Sadly, 6.8 million of them are children.

There is a lot of talk in the news about health care costs, and asthma is a major contributor. This chronic disease accounts for almost 17 million trips to doctors’ offices or hospitals annually, and asthma attacks result in an additional 2 million visits to hospital emergency rooms.

When people have an asthma attack, simply put, they feel like they can barely breathe because the airways to their lungs become inflamed and they narrow. Fortunately, there are treatments available, but at present, there is no cure for asthma.

You might think that it is much safer for asthma sufferers in their homes than it is outdoors, but the EPA has estimated that indoor air can typically be some 70% more polluted than the air that we breathe outside. For people that suffer from asthma, this is not good news, because the typical American spends about 90% of his or her time indoors, and unfortunately, most homes are full of asthma triggers.

Asthma triggers are the pollutants and allergens that we come in contact with around the home. Some of the most common and ubiquitous asthma triggers are dust mites, secondhand (and thirdhand) smoke, mold, common household pests (cockroaches in particular), dogs and cats (skin flakes, urine, and saliva), and Nitrogen Dioxide, a gas that comes from wood burning stoves, fireplaces, and other indoor heaters that burn fuel.

The primary purpose of Asthma Awareness Month is to help people understand what they can do to alleviate these asthma triggers and stop asthma attacks before they start. At Atlanta Air Duct Cleaning, we are dedicated to eradicating asthma triggers throughout the homes of our customers. We use specially formulated eco-friendly, organic cleansing solutions and commercial grade equipment, and our certified technicians have the experience and expertise that it takes to keep the air that your family is breathing fresh, clean, and free of airborne allergens and pollutants. Atlanta Air Duct Cleaning staunchly advocates asthma awareness, and we invite you to give us a call if you would like to be certain that your home is free of harmful asthma triggers so you and you are family can breathe safely and easily.

Most people the think that the air quality in their home is healthy. Unfortunately, research has shown that poor indoor air quality is quite common in our homes. One factor that can influence air quality is contaminants residing in our duct systems. Pollen, dust, mold, bacteria and other contaminants that have accumulated in our duct systems can affect air quality. Having your ducts cleaned is a great way to improve indoor air.

If you have one or more of the following conditions, you should have your ducts cleaned either once or twice a year:

- You can see particles such as dust floating in the air. - Your home contains smokers - You have pets in the household - The area that you live in is known for its high pollen count - Your area live has high levels of moisture or humidity - You have recently completed a home renovation project or you have just purchased a newly constructed home - Frequently use chemical cleaning products - The home has suffered flood damage. - You live near industries that emit a lot of smoke and other pollutants. - There are rodents such as mice and rats running through the ducts

Contaminants in your ducts can affect your health. As the particles blow through the home, occupants are at a high risk of inhaling them. This can lead to such health problems as asthma and other respiratory illnesses, sinus problems, constant coughing and sneezing, severe allergies, headaches, and sleep problems.

The benefits of having your ducts cleaned include:

1) Good for your Heating/Cooling System: Most duct system failures occur because of an accumulation of dust and dirt. By cleaning your ducts, your system will be more efficient which will lower your heating/cooling costs. The EPA states that, ‘a buildup of .042 inches of dirt on heating or cooling coil can result in a decrease in efficiency of 21%.’

2.) Healthier Environment: Cleaner air helps reduce the incidents of lung problems such as asthma. Your sinuses will clear and you will not be constantly breathing and coughing. You will generally feel better. You will also not be breathing in bacteria, fungi, and other hazardous microorganisms. Your house will stay cleaner because there will be less dust and dirt on the floor and furniture. Your pets will be healthier and breathe easier.

3) Healthier Children: If you have children, you know that they need to eat healthy and get regular exercise so they can grow to be healthy adults. Because children’s immune systems are developing, they are at a higher risk of illnesses. Having clean indoor air will help them breathe easier and stay healthy.

4.) High Risk Individuals: People who already have a health condition such as asthmatics and the elderly will benefit from having clean air ducts. They will breathe better and the risk of developing a respiratory illness will be reduced.

When choosing a duct cleaning service provider, make sure they are certified and have experience cleaning ducts. According to the EPA: ‘A careless or inadequately trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacement.’

Once your air ducts have undergone a thorough cleaning by a trained professional, there will no longer be any contaminants being blown throughout the home. You will quickly notice the change as you will find yourself breathing much easier. We all want to do our part to keep the environment clean. Because we spend so much time in our homes, it just makes sense to have clean air.