Need Indoor Air Quality Advice, get sinus infections every winter

[Moser Brothers]

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.

 

[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

 

[Desk Jockey]

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]

Hard for me to do when I have those "Hose" type ducts and not solid aluminum .

 

[Desk Jockey]

Flex ducting.

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

 

[Desk Jockey]

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]

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.

 

[Moser Brothers]

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

Does Ductwork Go Bad

 

[Moser Brothers]

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

 

[Mikey P]

Have you considered not smoking so much pot?

 

[Desk Jockey]

You have flex also?

 

[Desk Jockey]

Have you considered not smoking so much pot?

Have you?

 

[Papa John]

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

 

[Mikey P]

Have you?

I only drink 3mg a night.

 

[Moser Brothers]

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

 

[Moser Brothers]

I only drink 3mg a night.

3mg = 1ml=0.033814 oz. must take you 1 365 to finish 1 12oz beer

I only drink 3mg a night.

 

[Mikey P]

3mg = 1ml=0.033814 oz. must take you 1 365 to finish 1 12oz beer

How much volume in 1 inch of an eye dropper?

 

[Nomad74]

Don’t be a mouth breather.

 

[Old Coastie]

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.

RAYCOP Lite Handheld UV HEPA Allergen Sanitizing Vacuum - 1839101 | HSN

Shop RAYCOP Lite Handheld UV HEPA Allergen Sanitizing Vacuum 1839101, read customer reviews and more at HSN.com.

www.hsn.com

 

[Papa John]

Switch to edibles.
BE CAREFUL-- the results can sneak up on you.

 

[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

 

[Moser Brothers]

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

 

[Dolly Llama]

never heard of 'em
I learned sump'um

Thanks

Do Neti Pots Really Work?

Explore the pros and cons of neti pots (jal neti therapy) an Ayurvedic nasal water irrigation technique to cure sinus, allergy, and migraine.

www.webmd.com

..l.t.a.

 

[Papa John]

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.

I like this instead:

Navage Nasal Care Starter Bundle: Navage Nose Cleaner and 18 SaltPods, plus New User Starter Gift of 10 SaltPods (bathvaul.com)

 

[Moser Brothers]

Looks like you have to clean a lot of pieces on it in between uses, to keep sanitary

 

[Papa John]

Looks like you have to clean a lot of pieces on it in between uses, to keep sanitary

The Navage takes seconds to clean and should be for individual use only.
Cleaning the Navage is a good idea considering what its tasked to do.

 

[Nomad74]

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somnifix.com

 

[hogjowl]

Can you buy Saiger some of those?

 

[Old Coastie]

Can you buy Saiger some of those?

He’s a Floridian now. They issue duct tape at the border.

 

[Richard Excell]

Saline Nasal Rinses (Netty Bottle) or Navauge work well.