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Inspecting Your Ductwork |
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Q. What should you do if you think that fiberglass insulation from ductwork is causing an indoor air quality (IAQ) problem?
We recommend that first you contract for an air delivery system inspection using borescopes or remote-controlled duct cameras. Video or photographic inspection of the duct system will serve another purpose as well. It will allow you to see the extent of damage that has occurred and determine whether cleaning or replacement is required.
Assuming that the inspection reveals problems with the insulation, a number of corrective measures are possible. The best method is to clean the entire system using guidelines or specifications offered by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) or the International Institute of Carpet and Rug Cleaners (IIRC).
After cleaning, the fiberglass surfaces can often be encapsulated using a special product designed for this purpose. The most popular product is a Fosters brand paint. This product, Fosters 40/20, is designed to "lock down" the presence of loose fibers in the air system while creating a surface that is resistant to the growth of mold, mildew, fungi, and bacteria. The end result is a system that has been restored to like-new conditions.
As with many IAQ issues, it's important to identify why the problem occurred in the first place. Before cleaning or replacing any duct system, an investigation into why there was deterioration or damage should be done to keep it from occurring again.
After the work has been completed, a schedule for periodic inspections should be developed and followed to ensure that the problems don't occur again. |
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