Duct Cleaning Services: How Dirty is Your HVAC System?

Shawn Folks • April 6, 2022

The HVAC system in your home and business is critical to the comfort and health of your family and employees. The accumulation of dust and dirt, along with the development of mold can cause serious respiratory health issues, as well as increase the wear and tear on your HVAC system. Mold can quickly and easily gain entry into the ducts that move the air through your HVAC, compromising the air quality, and allowing spores to spread through your home or office. Let’s take a closer look at what mold can do and how to address dirt, dust, and fungus in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.


What Types of Mold and Bacteria Can Infiltrate Your HVAC System?

There are many different types of mold that can grow in air ducts. The most common include Alternaria, a dark green or brown mold that spreads quickly. There is also Acremonium that can present itself in several colors and has a powdery appearance. Stachybotrys, or black mold, is a toxic species of mold that can cause nose bleeds, headaches, coughing, and fever. If you’ve experienced watery eyes, sneezing fits, or respiratory issues, or have noticed a dank odor while the HVAC system is running, you may have mold in your ducts.


How Do You Know if Your HVAC System is Dirty?


There are several things that you can check to determine if the time has come to have your HVAC system and its ducts cleaned. Not only can noticing these signs help your system to perform at its best, but it can enhance the overall air quality in your space. Check for dirty vent covers, any dirt or debris that accumulates on these means that your ducts need to be cleaned. Inconsistent air flow is another symptom of dirty ductwork. Dust, dirt, mold, or other things could be obstructing the ventilation. 


When is the last time that you changed your air filter? If it’s been a while, dust and dirt could be built up in the ducts due to an old, clogged filter. Higher than normal utility bills can also point to your HVAC system working inefficiently due to being dirty. Lastly, if you notice mold from a leaky roof, plumbing, or other source of humidity on walls, ceilings or other places, its likely that it is in your ductwork as well and needs to be remediated as soon as possible.


Can You Prevent Mold from Developing in Your HVAC System?


While mold is a common occurrence in the humid, tropical climate of the gulf south, there are steps that you can take to mitigate the risk of it infiltrating your HVAC and ductwork. Begin by maintaining a dry environment in your home or office. Mold grows well and spreads in damp areas, so be sure to repair any leaks as soon as possible. Having your ducts professionally cleaned and sanitized on an annual basis is also effective in preventing mold growth. Performing other routine maintenance of your HVAC system, like changing air filters each month and checking its performance can help you to minimize the likelihood of mold and other dirt and debris buildup in your ventilation systems.


The professional mold remediation and HVAC cleaning experts at Guarantee Restoration can help to eradicate mold, dirt, and dust in your residential and commercial buildings. These services will restore the health, safety, and comfort of the air in your home and business.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Zack Klein Director of Marketing and Business Development 225-753-8682 Zack@247GRS.com Guarantee Restoration Services Launches National Sales Team to Expand Strategic Partnerships Across the Country BATON ROUGE, La. – June 16, 2026 – Guarantee Restoration Services (GRS), a leading full-service restoration contractor serving the Gulf Coast since 1974, is proud to announce the implementation of its new National Sales Team. This strategic initiative marks an exciting step forward in the company’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients and partners on a broader scale. The newly established team will be led by Barrett Dick, Director of National Sales, alongside Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing. Together, they have played a pivotal role in growing GRS relationships across multiple industries throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond for over a decade. The team also includes newly hired account executives, David Stern and Chad Catalano. “Over the years, we have seen our partnerships and opportunities continue to grow beyond our traditional footprint,” said Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Guarantee Restoration Services. “Creating a dedicated National Sales Team allows us to strengthen those relationships, support our partners on a larger scale, and continue expanding the reach of the GRS brand, while staying true to the service and responsiveness we are known for.” Dick, who will celebrate 10 years with GRS next month, brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to the role. He holds multiple Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credentials, including Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT). After graduating from Louisiana State University, Barrett began his professional career with Marucci Sports before joining Guarantee Restoration Services in July 2016. Just weeks into his time with the company, the historic Great Flood of 2016 impacted Southeastern Louisiana, providing him with firsthand experience managing large-scale losses and coordinating restoration efforts for major school districts and commercial clients. Since then, he has helped cultivate business development efforts throughout Louisiana and nationally, working closely with partners in hospitality, education, government, healthcare, and other commercial sectors. “Our focus has always been relationship-driven,” said Dick. “We want our clients and partners to know they have a team they can rely on before, during, and after a disaster. This National Sales Team is another way we are investing in those relationships and positioning Guarantee to better serve organizations wherever they need us.” As part of the expansion, GRS hired David Stern as a National Sales Account Executive. Stern brings more than a decade of high-level sales and relationship management experience from the professional sports industry. Prior to joining our team, he served with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans organization, where he consistently ranked among the organization’s top sales representatives and generated more than $38 million in multiyear contracts throughout his career. “David’s experience of building relationships, managing high-profile partnerships, and delivering exceptional client service makes him a tremendous addition to our team,” added Klein. “His background and skillset align perfectly with the direction we are heading as a company.” The National Sales Team also includes Chad Catalano, who joined Guarantee Restoration Services in January 2026. Catalano brings nearly two decades of restoration industry experience, with a strong background in sales leadership, project coordination, and relationship development throughout the Southeast and Gulf South regions. Prior to joining GRS, Catalano served as National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster DSI and spent more than 16 years with US Restoration as a Sales and Project Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has built long-standing partnerships while helping clients navigate complex restoration and recovery projects. In addition to his restoration industry experience, Catalano also spent several years as a successful high school baseball coach in the New Orleans area, earning multiple district championships and Coach of the Year honors. His leadership, communication skills, and client-focused approach make him a valuable addition to the growing national team. Guarantee Restoration Services continues to serve clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with six locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport and Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. With the implementation of its National Sales Team, GRS is further expanding its ability to support partners across the country through large-loss response, catastrophe recovery, and national account relationships. The company specializes in water, fire, mold, storm, and biohazard restoration, as well as reconstruction and pre-loss planning services. For more information about Guarantee Restoration Services, visit www.GuaranteeRestoration.com or call 1-800-349-HELP (4357).
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