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How Air Duct Cleaning Works?
Air ducts are important to home or building components to maintain good ventilation. Cleaning them is a thorough process that follows a systematic approach to ensure it ends well as new. Air duct cleaning services start with an inspection before the actual cleaning process. Removing the dust and cleaning other components follow using vacuum and brush. Some cleaning services add microbial spray to remove odor, kill bacteria in your air ducts, and seal the ducts as the final touch.
Cleaning work efforts for your HVAC depend on the contamination level it has, including the time and the cost of the service. This is why you should get a certified professional duct cleaner to do services for you to get the best cleaning work in your pipes.
Tools and Supplies Needed For Air Duct Cleaning
Before offering cleaning services, the provider needs tools and supplies to give you the best service. Here are the needed tools and supplies for duct cleaning.
Vacuum Cleaner
The vacuum cleaner is the best buddy of all duct cleaners. Powerful ones are needed, especially for large HVAC systems. For optimum results, heavy-duty vacuum is ideal and truck-mounted ones for larger properties are used. They also use heavy-duty handheld vacuums in relatively smaller ductworks.
Brush, Cleaning Cloths and Towels
Rotary brushes are used in tight spaces where the cleaner may not reach readily. Clothes and towels are used to wipe the dust in vent covers and wipe them dry before screwing them back.
Screwdrivers
Screwdrivers are needed to loosen, remove covers and gain access to some HVAC parts, and having them in handy is necessary. You can use them to fasten any parts in the ductwork as needed.
Other Essentials
The cleaning services bring other essentials such as cleaning solutions, soap, water, sealants, and other stuff needed for ductwork. They may not use this every time, but it is ready when needed.
The Nitty-Gritty of the Cleaning Process
Air duct cleaning is a process that requires skills for efficient output. When the air duct system is clean and serviced properly, you do not have to worry about stinky odors and air pollutants lurking on your system harmful to the pipes and, of course, your health.
Starts With Inspection of the Ducts
The first step in the process is a visual inspection. By inspection, the service provider can determine how much cleaning your HVAC will need depending on the presence of mold, dust, and other debris. Dust cleaners may also check potential leaks in your ductworks included in the cleaning service.
Duct cleaners do a thorough visual inspection sometimes by using special cameras to reach tight spaces in the ducts, ensuring that each side or corner is inspected to develop the most suitable cleaning service to provide. The inspection is also done by unscrewing air duct covers beforehand.
Once visual inspection is done, and the degree of cleaning is identified, the next step, creating negative pressure through a vacuum, follows. Before using the vacuum, experts also recommend turning on the fan (minus the heat supply) to loosen up the dust for a start. After the fan operated for a few minutes, turn off the entire system to get down to the next level cleaning business.
Initial Cleaning By Vacuum
Certified duct cleaners will use a vacuum powerful enough to create a negative pressure on the HVAC. Powerful vacuums are usually truck-mounted and are portable for easier operation.
Alternatively, a hand-held vacuum cleaner is also used, especially for small HVAC. The vacuum can also agitate the adhering dust on the sides, loosening them up making cleaning easier.
They will connect the vacuum collection device to the central part of the HVAC system, ensuring that the registers are sealed so that the vacuum can get all the dirt in the air duct. There will be times when cleaners may have to crawl or make access holes to reach all HVAC parts.
Thorough Cleaning By Brush
Cleaning through a vacuum is sometimes not enough to reach some parts of the air ducts, so using special tools like a brush is done. These brushes can either be manual or motorized. The brushes are inserted through the intakes, pipes, and vents, knocking debris and dust loose.
After such, the vacuum will suck it up to the collection device. In cases where there is stubborn dirt or particles in the ducts, the cleaner may cut holes to access these areas and patch up the ductwork afterward. Other equipment used in cleaning may also include compressed vacuum tools, rotating brushes, filters, paper towels, and cleaning cloths.
Cleaning Other Components of the System
The cleaner will include the rest of the ductwork, including the blower compartment, drain pans, and evaporator coils. Air duct and vent covers are also wiped clean by a cleaning solution or as simple as soap and water.
All the cleaning and heating unit parts should be cleaned the best possible to increase the HVAC system efficiency in your space.
Parts Replacement
While cleaning, there will be parts that your cleaner will discover that needs replacement, such as seals, screws, leaks, or filters. The clogging in the air ducts will damage the filter, and a malfunctioning filter will reduce airflow; hence replacements should be done.
The cleaner may require additional costs, but it will be worth it for a well-functioning HVAC system.
Sealing the Duct System
Sealing the duct system will be the last step when all the cleaning is done. The cleaners will return all the vent covers and seal around the vents properly to prevent air from escaping. Mastic sealants and aluminum foils can be used for DIY sealing.
Regardless of where your vents are installed, they should be sealed back for an efficient and well-functioning HVAC distributing air through your space.
The Cost of Air Duct Cleaning Services
Air duct cleaning costs vary depending on the size of the property and other factors. Generally, it costs around $370 to $670 for a single air duct cleaning. However, depending on the complexity of the job and the size of the house, the cost may vary.
Knowing how duct cleaning works allows you to call the nearest and best persons to get the job done.