Air duct cleaning is often needed to remove built-up dust, dander, pollen, mold, pet dander and other contaminants circulating through heating and cooling systems. While duct cleaning provides health and efficiency benefits by improving indoor air quality and filtration, it is a common concern that the process may make a big mess in the process.
When performed by professional and reputable air duct cleaners, duct cleaning does not need to create a mess. Some key points to know:
•Closed system cleaning:
Professional duct cleaners use specialized equipment with sealed systems that contain all debris and dust within the ductwork. No dirt or contaminants escape to spread throughout the vents and surrounding areas. Ducts are accessed and sealed off from the rest of the system before cleaning each section.
•Negative pressure:
Powerful industrial vacuums are used to suction out debris from ducts. They create negative pressure within the sealed duct sections so no dust can leak or spill out during the cleaning process. Air is drawn down through the ducts and collected within the sealed system and vacuum equipment.
•Containment and filtration:
Miniscule particles that still manage to escape the vacuum pass through high-efficiency filters for containment before the cleaning equipment is opened. Multiple filter levels ensure no contaminants are released into the home air or surrounding areas.
•Vent sealing:
When duct cleaning equipment is removed, vents are re-sealed in place with no debris left behind. Because the entire scope of work is contained within the duct system itself, all debris are hauled away and disposed of properly according to regulations.
•Dryer vents excluded:
Dryer vents and terminations may require separate cleaning or inspection. Determining what areas of ventilation are included in services is important to set proper expectations. Reputable duct cleaners will specify exactly what they will clean for clearly defined service scopes.
•Optional enclosures:
For businesses, negative air enclosures can block contaminants from escaping while still allowing access to desired work areas. They provide an additional level of containment when needed.
In summary, while the purpose of duct cleaning is to remove built-up debris, a quality professional service should leave little to no mess behind when completed. With the proper equipment, negative pressure, filtration and sealing procedures followed, duct cleaning can be a very hygienic process. Be sure to ask duct cleaners about the methods they use to contain and protect from messes for peace of mind.