If you’re considering cleaning your home’s ductwork and vents, you may have questions about what to expect. Contact Air Duct Cleaning Salt Lake City now!
First, make sure you have cleared a path to your furnace and ductwork. Keep pets, babies, and important Zoom meetings out of the way as your technician works. You’ll hear vacuuming and banging as they clean ductwork under negative pressure, one vent at a time.
During the inspection, a technician will visually check the system, locating any leaks or damage to the insulation. Then, they will often use a smoke pencil to locate the sources of odors in the vents and to see whether there is any biological growth, such as mold or mildew. If there is, the homeowner may want to have pest control services called in before the duct cleaning takes place.
They will also inspect the blower fan and air handling unit to ensure that they are in good working order. Then, they will inspect each duct by vent, starting with the supply ducts and then the return ducts. They will make sure that the louvered vents are open and clear of debris and vacuum up each duct before moving on.
Once all the ducts have been cleaned, the contractor will vacuum the returns and the blower fan. Then, they will seal the ducts and re-insulate them as necessary. Depending on the results of the inspection, they may use a variety of chemical treatments and/or sanitizers to clean the ducts and eliminate any bacteria, mildew or mold that might be growing.
Keeping the air ducts in your home clean is important for indoor air quality. Dirty ductwork can aggravate respiratory problems, especially for people with auto-immune disorders or asthma. It can also cause discomfort for people with allergies or who simply suffer from irritated eyes and noses. It is important to find a reputable company that offers thorough, effective service so you can breathe cleaner air. If you are interested in getting your air ducts cleaned, shop around and find a company that is certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association or other organizations that set industry standards. Also, ask for before and after pictures, and don’t let them talk you into any extra services they might try to sell you. A thorough duct cleaning should only take a couple of hours and shouldn’t leave your home looking messy. You should also consider placing a protective sheet over your child’s bed or other items that could get dirty during the process.
Agitation
The air ducts in your home’s walls, ceilings, and floors collect all kinds of dust, chemicals, mold, and pet dander. This is a significant problem because these contaminants get pulled into your HVAC system and then recirculated five to seven times a day, contaminating the quality of indoor air and irritating the lungs of people with respiratory conditions like asthma or bronchitis. The best way to improve your indoor air quality is to get rid of the contaminants that accumulate in your ductwork. Air duct cleaning is a simple and inexpensive way to do just that.
While DIY methods of cleaning your ducts may seem appealing, they are not as effective at eliminating stubborn contaminants as professional cleaning. These DIY techniques typically involve a vacuum with a long hose attachment, a brush to scrub the walls of your ductwork, and possibly a disinfectant spray. Professional cleaning involves a truck-mounted unit that creates negative pressure, allowing it to remove contaminants from your ductwork and dump them in a sealed compartment in the truck.
In addition to the negative air pressure, a professional cleaning crew will use mechanical agitation and extraction. Agitation refers to shaking or briskly moving the components of a mixture, such as water, which causes the solid particles to separate from one another and settle to the bottom of the vessel. This process is necessary to remove pollutants from the interior surfaces of your ductwork, where they can often become stuck and remain there for a long time.
After the agitation, the ducts will be vacuumed using negative pressure. The vacuuming process will typically be done on all of the ductwork, including supply and return vents, registers, and hoods. This is a crucial step, since the ducts in your home’s return vents are responsible for returning cleaned air to the HVAC system, so the returns must be as clean as possible to prevent dirty air from being blown back into the living space.
In addition to mechanical agitation and vacuuming, some professionals will also use biocides or ozone to treat the inside of your ductwork. However, there is little scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of these treatment methods, and some people are sensitive to the chemicals used in them.
Vacuuming
Air ducts can become home to harmful microorganisms, including pet dander, bacteria, mold, mildew and other particles that can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms. Regular cleaning reduces these pollutants and stale odors to promote better indoor air quality and healthier living.
Dirty air ducts may also lead to higher energy costs, increased wear and tear on the HVAC system and excessive dust throughout the house. Regular cleaning helps maintain your home’s comfort and extends the life of your heating and cooling systems.
A thorough cleaning will usually take a few hours and is best done after the cleaning of your evaporator coils. During the process, the contractors will remove the vent covers and grilles from the walls or ceiling of your home. Then, they will use a powerful vacuum to extract the debris from the ductwork. They will also scrub the ducts with brushes and apply biodegradable chemicals to eliminate fungus, mildew, mold and other contaminants from the inside of the ductwork.
The contractor will need to access the ducts through your air handler or plenum, which is typically located next to the furnace. It’s important to clear a path so they can easily reach it. It’s also a good idea to put pets in their kennel and kids in daycare the day of the appointment, as the cleaning process will make some noise.
Before the ducts are cleaned, it’s essential to turn off your HVAC system. The technician will need to cut service holes in the ductwork and it’s not safe for you or your family to be breathing in dirty air while this is happening.
A preliminary vacuum can make the ductwork cleaning process less messy and improves your indoor air quality by sucking up loose debris. However, it only has a limited effect on deep contamination and should be followed by a thorough cleaning with professional equipment to ensure the best results. It can be difficult to find an air duct cleaner that offers this service, but it’s worth the effort. You can check out the NADCA online directory to find a certified contractor in your area.
Cleaning
Air duct cleaning sanitizes and disinfects your ductwork to remove build-up. This process can eliminate bacteria, fungus, mildew, mold and odors from your duct system. It also helps improve the airflow through your ducts and your home. Duct cleaning may include the sanitization of your heating/cooling coils, blower, heat exchanger and vents. This may involve the use of chemicals, depending on the service provider you select.
The cleaning portion of an air duct cleaning usually lasts 30 to 40 minutes. During this time, you will hear banging and vibrations from the mechanical brushes being used in the ductwork, and you may smell fumes from the cleaners. Be sure to clear a path for the technician to access your HVAC equipment and vents. You should also move anything that could be damaged by the hose or vacuuming machinery, such as delicate items like baby toys, plants, electronics and books. The duct cleaners will need to access all your vents, so make sure they can easily get to each one.
Dirty ducts can reduce indoor air quality, especially for those with respiratory conditions, auto-immune disorders and allergies. Symptoms of poor indoor air quality can be sneezing, coughing, runny nose and sinus congestion, fatigue and headaches.
Over the course of a year, dust and contaminants can accumulate in your homes air conditioning system and ductwork. These pollutants are recirculated five to seven times a day, and can become irritants. Air duct cleaning can remove these irritants, making your home healthier.
Some companies advertise that they will apply a chemical biocide and/or a fungicide to the inside of your ductwork after cleaning to kill germs and prevent future biological growth. Before allowing a company to apply these products in your home, you should fully understand their pros and cons, as they can cause harmful side effects.
While duct cleaning has been shown to help with certain symptoms, it has not been proven that it will prevent health problems. However, studies have found that dirty ducts can lead to higher energy bills, needless system wear and tear and premature equipment failure. Cleaning your ductwork can save you money while helping to keep your family healthy and comfortable.
