Forced Air Vent Cleaning

Need

• People who are susceptible to asthma, allergies or cigarette smoke can benefit from having their air ducts cleaned. Systems that were damaged or had water contamination are a good candidate for cleaning. Finally, if your home went through a renovation or construction project, cleaning the ductwork could remove any fibers or dust from that project. You can inspect the ducts in your home with a mirror, a flashlight and a camera. If you see debris, you could be a candidate for having the system cleaned. If the debris is from animals, such as feces, fur, bones or food it is important to correct the situation before having the ductwork cleaned. In addition, of the debris is from water damage, it is critical that the issue is repaired before the duct cleaning is done.

Process

• The forced air vent cleaning process should take in the entire HVAC system and its components. If the whole system is not cleaned, the next time the HVAC system is turned on, it will push contaminants back through the ventilation system. When you contact a company to clean your ventilation, ask them if they have at least one person who will be on the job site with national certification and a state license (if one if required). Find out if they have liability insurance. Is their work performed to the national standard? Ask them to provide you with a contract that states the work they are going to complete. This type of work is generally priced by the job and not by the hour. On the whole, forced air vent cleaning involves two steps. The debris is loosened using brushes, air whips, or vacuuming. After the debris is loosened it is collected using a negative pressure vacuum. A negative pressure vacuum is either truck mounted or portable and keeps debris from entering your home during the cleaning process. It is possible that they will need to cut holes in the duct work to gain access to the whole system, however, they should also repair those areas too.

Chemicals and Sealants

• There are antimicrobial chemicals and sealants that could be recommended. Chemicals should be discussed after the cleaning is complete. Any chemicals used are required to be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. The chemicals are usually sanitizers or deodorizers. Ask why the specialist thinks the chemical is warranted. At this time, there are no companies that approved the use of a sealant in their HVAC system. Allowing a sealant to be applied to the forced air vents, ductwork, or other parts of the ventilation system could void product warranties. Take care of your ventilation system. Install good filters and replace them every two months, or as recommended by the HVAC manufacturer. Maintain your HVAC system by having it inspected annually and repaired as needed.