Following, you will find a list of a few telltale signs to look out for when you want to determine if your air ducts need a professional clean.

If you notice that your home seems to be dustier than usual, or if you see an increase in debris around your vents, it could be a sign that your air ducts need cleaning. As air circulates through your home, it carries dust, dirt, and other particles with it, which can settle in your air ducts.

Foul odours coming from your vents could be a sign that your air ducts need cleaning. Over time, mould, mildew, and other contaminants can grow in your air ducts, causing unpleasant smells to circulate throughout your home.

If you or your family members are experiencing respiratory issues or increased allergy symptoms, it could be a sign that your air ducts need cleaning. As dust and debris accumulate in your air ducts, they can circulate throughout your home, negatively impacting your indoor air quality.

If you notice that your HVAC system is struggling to maintain a consistent temperature or that your airflow seems to be reduced, it could be a sign that your air ducts need cleaning. As debris accumulates in your air ducts, it can restrict airflow, reducing the efficiency of your HVAC system and making it work harder to maintain your desired temperature.

If you notice an increase in insect or rodent activity in your home, it could be a sign that they are nesting in your air ducts. Insects and rodents can carry allergens and other harmful particles, which can circulate throughout your home via your air ducts.

If you notice any of these signs, it's important to have your air ducts cleaned by professionals. A trained technician can assess the condition of your air ducts and recommend a cleaning schedule that will help keep your indoor air quality at a safe and healthy level.
In general, it is recommended that you have your air ducts cleaned every three to five years. However, if you have pets, live in a dusty area, or have family members with respiratory issues, you may need to have your air ducts cleaned more frequently.

In addition to having your air ducts cleaned, there are several things you can do to help maintain your indoor air quality. Regularly changing your HVAC system's air filter, using a high-quality vacuum with a HEPA filter, and keeping your home's humidity levels under control can all help to reduce the amount of dust and debris in your air ducts.

In conclusion, keeping your air ducts clean is an important part of maintaining a healthy and comfortable home. By staying aware of the signs that your air ducts need cleaning and working with a professional to develop a cleaning schedule, you can help ensure that your home's indoor air quality stays at a safe and healthy level.

Dryer fires are one of the leading causes of house fires in Canada. When you put laundry in the dryer, three elements can start a fire: lint, heat, and moisture. Drying clothes creates lint, which can pile up in the dryer's filter. And if there is too much heat or sparks from the dryer, that can set off the lint. Moisture can cause lint to stick to the machine where it should not, and this is the main purpose for your lint filter. If it gets clogged, your dryer will not be able to work properly. The biggest danger when using a dryer is that the vent can become disconnected from the wall, which can cause lint and debris to build up behind the dryer, near the heating elements. This can be a fire hazard. Make sure the vent is connected to the wall properly each time you use the dryer, and if you see moisture around your dryer, that is a sign something is not right. Wetter clothes will cause moisture to accumulate on the sides of the venting pipe, which will act like a glue for lint. This can lead to significant build-up and clogging of the vent in a short amount of time.

The first and most important step when cleaning your dryer vent is to turn off the power to the dryer. You should not do any work on the vent while the appliance is still drawing power. So, unplug your appliance but keep in mind that this may require you having to move the dryer so enlist some help if it is too heavy. Once the power is off, locate the vent. It is a large, silver, or white pipe that comes out of the back of the dryer. It is about 4 inches in diameter and can be made with flexible white vinyl, thin aluminum foil, semi-rigid aluminum, or completely rigid aluminum piping. Follow the vent hose to the outdoor pipe where it exits the home. There are likely brackets that hold the vent in place. Then, pull the dryer out and using a screwdriver, loosen the clamps that keep the dryer vent hose attached to the wall. Make sure that you have a garbage bag ready to catch all the debris especially if the vent has never been cleaned before. Next, remove the vent hose by loosening its bracket and using a vacuum cleaner, suck out all the clumps of lint. This can be done from both ends of the duct. Finally, reattach the hose and clean the exterior vent by vacuuming any dust and debris. 

It is essential here to mention that the cleaning process can be quite difficult depending on where your dryer is situated and that you can also unwillingly damage your vent and its hose. A DIY clean may not be thorough enough as it is unlikely that you have in your possession powerful professional equipment. This being said, and keeping in mind that this cleaning only needs to happen on a yearly basis, it is strongly recommended to use a professional company that specializes in dryer vent cleaning. This will not only save you the hassle of doing the job yourself, but it will also ensure that the work is thorough thus reducing the risk of a potential house fire.