How are the ducts cleaned?

A powerful vacuum is connected to the ducts at one end of the system while a compressed air hose with various cleaning nozzles is fed into the system through the air vents and access holes.  The dust and contaminants in the ducts are agitated loose and get sucked away by the vacuum.  This process is done to the entire duct system.  The blower (fan) and the cabinet it sits in are  thoroughly cleaned as well.

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Will my house or office get all full of dust while you do the cleaning?

No.  The duct cleaning process is such that the dust inside the ducts is constantly being sucked back to the power vac as the agitation devices dislodge it. The power vac itself is located outside the building.  If a portable power vac is used, it is located inside the building, near the duct system and is equipped with “HEPA” filters so that it only exhausts safe, clean air. NO DUST!

 

A small amount of dust does fall to the floor when wall or ceiling registers are removed that are very dirty.  This is also vacuumed up during the procedure.  The only other source of dust would be dust that sits on the outside top of ducts in a basement or crawl space. During the cleaning process, the agitation going on inside the ducts can also disturb this dust sitting on the outside.  This can be handled by placing tarps down over furniture etc. if necessary.

 

Will you be making holes in my ducts?

Yes.  This is a necessary standard part of the procedure.  Access holes need to be cut to hook up the power vacuum hose to your system.  These typically are 10” round holes.  They are closed up after the job with sheet metal panels.  First,  a bead of silicone caulk is applied to make the closure air tight, then the panels are screwed in place with sheet metal screws.  They can be removed again for future inspections and cleanings.

Additional holes may be made where necessary to facilitate cleaning the entire duct system.  Typically these additional holes are small 1” or 2 ½ ” inch round holes, big enough to allow the entry of the compressed air hose and its nozzles. These are sealed up afterwards with specially made airtight “cap plugs.”  These access holes not only allow for the entry of duct cleaning tools but also allow for a visual inspection to insure a thorough cleaning is done.  This visual inspection is the only guarantee that the ducts are properly cleaned.

 

How much dirt and dust will come out of the ducts? 

That depends on several factors.  Your air duct system is like a big vacuum cleaner in that it’s constantly pulling air out of your rooms, sending it through an air filter and back into the rooms after heating or cooling it.  The older the home or office is, the more time it’s had to slowly build up a layer of dust.  This layer is always heaviest on the floor of the ducts.  It’s also a much heavier buildup in the ducts that pull air out of the rooms, up to the point where the air filter is located which typically is right in front of the fan.  With a good, efficient filter the ducts coming after the filter should stay clean or at least much cleaner than the side before the filter.  I would say the majority of homes and offices I’ve cleaned used the typical  $1.50 throw away type filter.  Unfortunately these filters only stop about 8 - 15% of the dust coming through - not very efficient.  There are now available many varieties of high efficiency filters, which I see being used more and more.  Ideally the ducts should be cleaned at the same time you upgrade your filter as the filter can’t do anything about the layer of dust already in the ducts that come after the filter.  The other major factor that determines how dirty the ducts are is what the environment has been like while the system has been running.  A major source of duct contamination occurs during new construction or remodeling.  It doesn’t take long at all for a duct system to become filthy after floor sanding or sheet rock sanding.  Because no one looks, no one knows.  I have looked.  You’d be amazed! 

 

Many times I have been called to clean a “brand new” duct system even before the owners have moved in.  Construction debris, saw dust, sanding dust, cigarette butts, paper coffee cups, bottles etc. are typical contaminants that are found and removed.  For many people, a “new” duct system doesn’t mean a clean system.

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How often should the system be cleaned? 

I recommend a frequency of every five to seven years.  I feel confident about this especially if a high efficiency filter is used.  At least have it inspected at that point.  And that should be easy with the various access holes made at the first cleaning.  If any new construction, remodeling etc. is done, I would inspect the system upon completion of construction and clean as necessary. 

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How long does the process take?

Two men can typically do a small system (up to 10 registers) in half a day. For 15-25 registers, allow 8 or more hrs. When counting registers, always count the supply air and return air registers. Some larger homes have several systems.  There can be circumstances that require more time, such as a system in a very tight crawl space etc.  Ducts with interior insulation take much more care and time than uninsulated sheet metal ducts. 

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What experience do you have?

I have over 30 years experience in the duct-cleaning . I started Air Duct Cleaning Co. Inc. in 1992 .  Prior to that I worked at several major air duct cleaning companies in Los Angeles and I have been personally involved in the cleaning of well over a thousand of both commercial and residential air duct systems. The vast majority of my work comes from referrals of satisfied customers or from Heating and Air Conditioning companies who are familiar with my work and trust me to service their customers.

 

If you have a question that I haven’t answered here please feel free to call and get it answered.  (203) 253-4715

 

Sincerely,

 

Michael Gossett – Owner, Air Duct Cleaning Co. Inc.