Air ducts don’t often make the news (they work best neither seen nor heard), but in a story last month out of Long Island, ducts unfortunately took center stage. Northport V.A. Medical Center in Northport, New York was forced to close all of its operating rooms last May, delaying the surgeries of over 100 veterans, when sand-sized black rust particles were found to be spitting from the aging hospital’s air ducts. The possibility of rust getting into a patient’s open wound during surgery was simply too risky to keep the ORs open, reported doctors.

Coverage of the story rightfully focused on the impact is had on the health and wellbeing of dozens of veterans, but there’s also a lesson to be learned regarding the importance of regular duct inspections and maintenance, especially when rust comes into play.

Rusted Air Ducts: What Causes Them, Why You Don’t Want Them

The primary cause of rust in air ducts is the same as that of rust anywhere else: excess moisture. Depending on where your ducts are located, excess moisture can become a problem due to leaking pipes, a leaky home foundation, leaks in your roof or insulation, and other problems. When your metal ducts come into contact with any of these sources for a prolonged period of time, rust develops. This eventually causes holes to form. (Mold is also a potential problem with excessive moisture.)

Situations like the one at the V.A. hospital cited above are likely a worst case scenario when it comes to rust in air ducts, but any rust has the potential to lead to adverse effects on air quality. In addition, any holes caused by rust are certain to reduce the efficiency of your HVAC systems, leading to increased energy bills and poor performance.

Rust in air ducts can also be indicative of rust or damage to other HVAC equipment, like heat exchangers, boiler tanks, and heating oil tanks, each of which could pose a serious threat to health, safety, and quality of life.

Regular Inspections Can Diagnose Rust in Ducts Before It’s Too Late

Regular inspections by certified professionals should be a part of any home or commercial building’s routine maintenance. A qualified air duct and HVAC inspector will be able to find new rust in ducts, diagnose the problem, and take care of it before vents start spewing black rust. Better yet, inspections could reveal leaks or high-moisture conditions that lead to rust before any even forms.

If rust in air ducts is caught early enough, it can be removed, and the affected ductwork wrapped or insulated in moisture blocking material. This will prevent rust moving forward. Ducts might also need to be patched, repaired, or even outright replaced. If this is the case, the long-term savings will be well worth it.

While we can’t say for sure if the unfortunate situation at the Northport V.A. could have been avoided with a more diligent air duct inspection schedule, we’re more than certain that it remains the best practice for homes and commercial buildings everywhere.

Get Your Home or Business’s Air Ducts Inspected in Connecticut with Preferred HD

For residential air duct inspections and commercial air duct inspections in Connecticut, contact Preferred Hood & Duct by calling (860) 613-1130 or using the contact form below. Preferred Hood & Duct is a National Air Duct Cleaners Association-certified company who specializes in inspections, cleanings, and service of air ducts and HVAC systems. Get in touch to learn more.