Need Indoor Air Quality Advice, get sinus infections every winter

Joined
May 24, 2013
Messages
266
Location
Sacramento
Name
Lyon
HVAC guy didn’t find any visual leaks, but didn’t pressure test the system. Told me about Iwave air purifier for the whole house that doesn’t use a UV light. Carrier unit and ducting was installed 15 years ago. Was told I could put mastic on each duct and seal C-boxes. As far as air duct cleaning, he only has the Rotovac system.
am thinking of cleaning my own air ducts, with the 370ss and a 25 foot brush if possible.
I have an Austin Air purifier and use a humider to get the humidity to about 50% when running my furnace, and still wake up with sinus congestion. Picked up an infared space heater a couple days ago, and breathe better as it doesn’t dry out the air. There’s also rat feces in the with 40 year old blow in fiberglass installation in the attic.

image.jpg
 

Jimmy L

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2006
Messages
15,162
Location
Ne
Name
Jimmy L
I have the uv light I installed over my coils. I have severe allergies and I fog a disinfectant in the basement to keep down mold spores during the winter. Also I use honeywell air purifiers around the house especially in the bedroom. It has electrostatic filters that I have to pull out and clean over the sink. I am going to get some of that Vonos to fog into my duct work too. Everything helps and must do it constantly.But keeping the humidity at 50% contributes to mold spores in the air.

I would fog that attic to kill off any bacterial growth too
 
  • Like
Reactions: Moser Brothers

Desk Jockey

Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2006
Messages
64,833
Location
A planet far far away
Name
Rico Suave
Don't use a Rotovac, its likely to cause you more problems than not.

You need someone that is using the Source Removal system. They put the system under negative air pressure by attaching to your furnace plenum and then work each opening so that all debris is moved with large volume cfm back to a vacuum collector.

I don't know if this will help with allergies but all loose dirt and debris in your system will at least be out of there so you won't be breathing air that passes over contaminates.
 

Jimmy L

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2006
Messages
15,162
Location
Ne
Name
Jimmy L
Hard for me to do when I have those "Hose" type ducts and not solid aluminum .
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cleanworks

Desk Jockey

Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2006
Messages
64,833
Location
A planet far far away
Name
Rico Suave
The difference in cfm with a TM and a true air duct cleaning system are significant. You tm will move at best 400 cfm, a portable air duct unit like Abatement Technology makes is 2500 cfm.

However gas fired collectors are in the 5000-6000 cfm range and truck powered are 8000-10,000 cfm.

Their hose size is also 8-10 inch diameter vs 1.5 or 2-inch. The big units remove debris that would be impossible to remove by small adapted systems.
 

Desk Jockey

Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2006
Messages
64,833
Location
A planet far far away
Name
Rico Suave
I have the uv light I installed over my coils. I have severe allergies and I fog a disinfectant in the basement to keep down mold spores during the winter. Also I use honeywell air purifiers around the house especially in the bedroom. It has electrostatic filters that I have to pull out and clean over the sink. I am going to get some of that Vonos to fog into my duct work too. Everything helps and must do it constantly.But keeping the humidity at 50% contributes to mold spores in the air.

I would fog that attic to kill off any bacterial growth too
Jimmy is correct. Drier air is better for you than moisture laden air. The higher moisture content allows for more spore activity.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cleanworks
Joined
May 24, 2013
Messages
266
Location
Sacramento
Name
Lyon
Flex ducting.

Can you access them? Replacement would be your best option if they are accessible. Flex won't take any agitation without damage. We
Flex ducting.

Can you access them? Replacement would be your best option if they are accessible. Flex won't take any agitation without damage.
after reading this article about recommending replacement of the duct after 15 years, which mine are. I’m thinking it would be more cost efficient to install a Ductless split system, instead of wasting $3,000 on new ducts, that can’t even be cleaned properly
 
Joined
May 24, 2013
Messages
266
Location
Sacramento
Name
Lyon
after reading this article about recommending replacement of the duct after 15 years, which mine are. I’m thinking it would be more cost efficient to install a Ductless split system, instead of wasting $3,000 on new ducts, that can’t even be cleaned properly
 

Papa John

Lifetime Supportive Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2013
Messages
6,587
Location
San Francisco, CA.
Name
John Stewart
How old are your pillows and mattress? Consider replacing them.
Wash your bedding more often. Wash your face and hair before bedtime.

Is your head, while in bed, near a window or heater vent?
Maybe there is a dead mouse in the duct?
Remove any chemicals that may be near the furnace intake vent.

Replace the furnace filters with this type:
Filtrete Healthy Living Ultrafine Particle Reduction
 
Joined
May 24, 2013
Messages
266
Location
Sacramento
Name
Lyon
Have you considered not smoking so much pot?
I smoke about a half a gram a day, after work hours. I’m sure it would help if I didn’t smoke at all. I’ve sure I’ve gotten sinus infections from using a bong, which puts pressure on my nasal cavities. I probably shouldn’t drink, eat meat, and exercise more as well. Damn first world problems
 

Old Coastie

Supportive Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2015
Messages
7,504
Location
Heart of Dixie
Name
Stephen
Lyon, start with one of these and use it slooooowly on your mattress and pillows.
Upholstery, too. It looks like a toy but trust me; be prepared to get grossed out.

 
  • Like
Reactions: Moser Brothers
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
344
Location
USA
Name
Matt Middleton
Don't use a Rotovac, its likely to cause you more problems than not.

You need someone that is using the Source Removal system. They put the system under negative air pressure by attaching to your furnace plenum and then work each opening so that all debris is moved with large volume cfm back to a vacuum collector.

I don't know if this will help with allergies but all loose dirt and debris in your system will at least be out of there so you won't be breathing air that passes over contaminates.
We are also a duct cleaning company. Source removal/negative air is really the only way to really clean the HVAC system.

On a personal note. I use the "neti pot" to rinse out my nose/nasel cavities. Especially after mowing or in a really dirty environment. I don't do it every day. But, whenever I feel something coming on, cold or flue, I use it several times a day. It works for me.

It was 'splained this way. Any germs that go in your mouth dies. But rub your eyes or use your nose and that is where you get sick. I have not been in bed sick for over 20 years. Really, really.

Matt
 
Joined
May 24, 2013
Messages
266
Location
Sacramento
Name
Lyon
We are also a duct cleaning company. Source removal/negative air is really the only way to really clean the HVAC system.

On a personal note. I use the "neti pot" to rinse out my nose/nasel cavities. Especially after mowing or in a really dirty environment. I don't do it every day. But, whenever I feel something coming on, cold or flue, I use it several times a day. It works for me.

It was 'splained this way. Any germs that go in your mouth dies. But rub your eyes or use your nose and that is where you get sick. I have not been in bed sick for over 20 years. Really, really.

Matt
I used to use a neti pot, I use a neti bottle sometimes, I use distilled bottled water, or boil water and let it cool. Salt with no iodine and a baking soda mixture. Sometimes the water get stuck in my nasel cavities and then I feel worse
 

Papa John

Lifetime Supportive Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2013
Messages
6,587
Location
San Francisco, CA.
Name
John Stewart
  • Like
Reactions: Moser Brothers

Nomad74

Boy Sprout
Joined
Feb 4, 2016
Messages
23,464
Location
Redding
 

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom