What is Air Duct Cleaning?

Air duct cleaning is the process of cleaning the components of heating and cooling systems including supply and reverse ducts, heat exchangers, coils, diffusers, grilles, and fan motor. Improper installation and maintenance cause these components to accumulate dust and debris.

In the presence of moisture, mold can grow in large quantities. If these contaminants enter the living space, they may cause allergic reactions and other health risks.

How to determine if your air ducts need to be cleaned?

There are several signs indicating that your air ducts require detailed professional cleaning. One of them is significant amounts of mold on the air conditioner's components. The musty smell and the traces of mold on the walls around the aircon should alarm you.

Since some mold deposits cannot be identified during a quick visual inspection, ask the service provider to show you the mold build-up they have discovered during the thorough inspection.

​Another concern should be the excessive amounts of dust accumulated in the ducts. They may be released into the living space through the supply registers and pose health risks. A nest of insects or rodents can also reduce the efficiency of the air conditioning system and contaminate the house.

How to choose a duct cleaning service provider?

Make sure you do thorough research before choosing the duct cleaning service provider. Go with one that has many positive references and can show certificates proving their qualification. If possible, talk to more providers and ask them to send written estimates. Do not hire duct cleaners who claim that duct cleaning should be done on a routine basis. This procedure should not be frequent.

Also, avoid those who invoke the health benefits of duct cleaning. Duct contaminants are not always the cause of health issues because most of the dust and mold stays inside the air conditioner and never gets out. Only a small amount of contaminants works its way through the grate into the home.

​Aside from these particles, the health issues may be caused by outdoor pollutants and those generated by indoor activities like cooking, cleaning, and smoking.

What to expect from a duct cleaning professional?

There is a bunch of things you should expect your duct cleaner to do. They should do an inspection first to identify the debris and mold deposits. Ask them to show you the contamination area before proceeding with the cleaning. The inspection is also done to see if there are asbestos-containing materials, which require special cleaning methods.

In addition, the cleaner should use a combination of precise brushing of duct surfaces and contact vacuuming to remove the dust and stubborn debris. Components containing fiberglass should be cleaned with soft-bristled brush.

The service provider should also protect the carpet and furnishings when cleaning, and seal or re-insulate the holes they have made to get them airtight and ensure the proper functionality of the duct system.

This article is going to introduce you to duct cleaning. You will learn what it is, when to do it, and how to choose a reliable duct cleaning service provider.