Have you been overcome by an unpleasant odor in your house? Strange smells coming from your air ducts can be embarrassing and frustrating to get rid of; especially when you don’t know where it’s coming from.

Smells in your air ducts can be caused by many different reasons and should not be taken lightly. It could either be mold, animals present in your home, leaks in the ducts, plumbing issues, mechanical issues, or anything of the sort. Some of the odors could be:


Animal Odors
Frequently, unwanted critters such as rodents, mice or squirrels, will find their way into the ductwork. Unfortunately, they can sometimes get trapped and die, causing an unwanted odor. In this case, if replacing your filter does not eliminate the smell, you will need us to locate the source, have the animal removed and your ductwork cleaned.


Combustion Flue Gases
Combustion flue gases are dangerous and loaded with carbon monoxide. The release of flue gases in the ducts could be due to several different reasons. However, it is mostly caused by a hole in the heat exchange that allow gases to seep through the vents. If you come across a burning scent, the scent of gas or oil, we recommend contacting someone right away.


Mold Odors
Mold odors are also a common, more serious, cause of smell in your ducts. Often the smell is musty in nature, indicating the formation of mold or mildew. Mildew can be easily cleaned with bleach and soap. However, mold can be a bit tricky. A problem, such as black mold, can be a health hazard and will need to be professionally removed. If you are experiencing this issue, or are uncertain if it is mold, contact a mold abatement company to identify and get rid of the problem. Once the mold is removed, duct cleaning can ensure your ducts are clear and hygienic.

Be sure to regularly check the areas that may spawn mold or mildew – such as your air-conditioning unit (especially the condenser coil and collection pan). This will help to prevent any major problems that may occur. To clean the condenser and coil pan yourself, use a solution of 10% bleach and water. This formulation will kill off any mold growth, without affecting the coil system.


Septic or Sewer Odors
Another common odor that comes through the ducts, especially during the winter season, is a sewer smell. There are many different reasons why this happens. However, the most common issue is a cracked sewer line causing a leak into your air ducts. Another scenario could be a condensate drain connected to the sewer without a trap. In this situation, the sewer gas may leak through the condensate drain and into the furnace. In that case, you will need a professional plumber who can install a trap in the condensate line to remove the issue.

If you are not able to identify what kind of smell you are experiencing, feel free to contact us at Clear Air Columbia or schedule an appointment online so we can conduct a camera inspection of your air ducts. We are experts at what we do, and we can aid in Air Duct Cleaning for any odors present in your home.