Who doesn’t like walking through their front door at the end of a long day, only to be greeted by the smell of fresh-baked bread, or to crack open a favorite old novel and to be transported as much by its scent as the words within? On the other hand, when your first thought is, “What died in here?”, it’s clear you’ve got a problem—and your HVAC system might be to blame. Things do expire in your ductwork from time to time, and when they do it’s a good idea to call Climate Care for duct cleaning and HVAC repairs in Stamford.
How Do Dead Animals End Up in My HVAC Ducts?
Critters are drawn to your home for the same reason you are: it’s sheltered from the elements, it’s warm, and it’s inviting. Squirrels, birds, and insects aren’t necessarily drawn to your air ducts, as such. They can certainly get in through vents, but they’re just as likely to find other vulnerabilities in your siding, soffits, and other parts of your home. Once inside, they’ll seek out places that are sheltered, and which keep them hidden from sight; that can mean your HVAC ductwork, your dryer ducts, or your insulation.
For some animals, your ducts are a crash pad; they may nest there, but they’ll “work” elsewhere, coming and going at will to find food, but returning to their new home for shelter. But sometimes they get stuck, or lost, and end up dying in your ducts. And when they do, the smell can be horrendous.
Preserving Air Quality and Health with Duct Cleaning
Many animals and insects are disease vectors even when they’re alive. We’re familiar with Lyme disease, which was first identified right here in Connecticut, but there are many other animal-borne diseases as well. Factor in dander and droppings and the opportunities for human illness increase still further. And when animals die, the decay and decomposition process introduces larvae, insects, and bacteria, too.
So what can you do? As part of our HVAC services, we can identify and remove dead animals. But we’re also addressing the other odor sources (and potential health issues) that can lurk in all that sheet metal. VOCs, human and pet dander, mold, mildew, and bacteria can all lead to a stinky home even when you don’t hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet overhead.
Preventing Dead Animal Smells (and More) With HVAC Repairs
What can you do to prevent dead animals and the awful stench they bring with them, from infiltrating your home?
- Inspect your vents. Vent covers for your dryer and vent fans are often made of plastic or lightweight aluminum, which many rodents tend to treat more like an appetizer than a barrier.
- Check your siding. It doesn’t take an enormous hole for most rodents to get inside, so cracks, holes, and separated seams can be an easy point of entry.
- Check your insulation. Wall, basement and attic insulation is often home to all kinds of creatures, and your inspections can also uncover leaks and other issues that can undermine health and safety.
- Get regular HVAC maintenance and duct cleanings. Our technicians have seen enough HVAC problems—including animal infestations that we know the signs and can help you address the issue. Sometimes a call to animal control or a pest control company is a necessary first step, but we’ll follow up with duct cleaning so you can breathe easy.
To take care of these and many other indoor air quality issues, get in touch with Climate Care. More than HVAC service, we offer home comfort solutions you can trust!
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