Finding and Eliminating Odors in Ductwork

On those summer evenings when a neighbor is cooking on an outdoor charcoal grill and the wind is blowing in your direction, you may have experienced some of the odors attendant to that cooking process, even if your windows were closed and your air conditioner was running comfortably with filtered air.

At other times, though, tracing the source of an odor that’s coming from the ductwork can be a challenge. It can become critical to locate and eliminate the source of the odor, particularly if it is the result of a gas leak or mold proliferation. Inspectapedia.com has assembled an overview of the problem. Some highlights:

Smells caused by the presence and activity of animals are a common cause of ductwork odors. These include items such as pet waste, cat dander, litter boxes and the like. However, the odor could be the result of an animal that has become trapped in the ductwork and subsequently died.

Odors can also come from sewer gas leaks, boiler operating problems, mold, mildew, paint failures, the presence of pesticides, off-gassing from various building materials, plumbing problems, drains and septic systems, among other sources.

The first important step is to try to determine what kind of odor you are detecting and then apply the correct procedure for tracking down its source. For instance, if you notice something that smells like burnt oil or heating fuel, and you have an oil heater or burner in your house, that area is a good place to start.

If, on the other hand, you notice a musty smell, and your home is not located in a high-humidity region, it’s best to start with any appliances or processes that could be causing humidity. The key to many musty odors is that they result after certain substances are trapped in confined spaces for a period of time, which makes the odor stronger and able to be detected.

As you can see, tracking down odors in ductwork can be a complex and challenging process. However, it is important to place a priority on keeping the air that flows through your home’s ductwork as clean as possible – both for your health and the viability of your home’s mechanical systems.

Contact AC World with questions or concerns about ductwork problems.