A Deep Dive into The Air Duct Cleaning: What You Need to Know
Your HVAC consists of a network of ducts that either distribute warm or cool air across the rest of the home while also purifying your air.
However, you may realize some symptoms that are related to your HVAC system, including inconsistent airflow, increased power consumption, fast accumulation of dust on your house’s surfaces, or even a bad odor coming from your ducts.
These are all signs that tell you your ducts are dirty and you need to call an air duct cleaning professional as soon as possible.
Let’s learn what air duct cleaning is and why it is important to do it at least once every year.
What is Duct Cleaning, and Why Do You Need It?
This can be defined as the process of having your entire air duct system and the entire HVAC unit cleaned using professional air duct cleaning equipment only.
Air duct cleaning services are not something that one can do on his or her own.
It is for this reason that only professional companies have all the equipment required to clean your entire air duct system from all contaminants safely.
Besides, such companies possess the required skilled personnel to manage the machinery.
Here is How It Goes
Although the process of air duct cleaning may vary according to the tools and equipment that is used, the idea is fairly simple.
It is actually the use of high-powered vacuums in a manner that is designed to remove the debris and dust from the air ducts. This is how it goes.
1. Inspection Of Ducts
The first procedure involves the company you hire to provide professionals to assess the air duct system in your home.
They will scan all the access points in the duct system with various necessary tools for inspection.
It is only after this that they are in a position to determine how to remove your air ducts’ dirt.
(It is also important to note that during the inspection the technician will be able to locate any problems like leaks or cracks in your ducts and have them repaired for you.
2. Creation Of Access Holes
After that, the cleaning process will be initiated by the team.
First of all, they will have to provide access ports at the main ducts for both the supply side and the return side.
These access holes are required to facilitate the cleaning of the air ducts because they will turn into entry points for the clean driving equipment.
Such openings are likely to be 7-8 inches in diameter; however, they are likely to be sealed after cleaning the ducts.
Remember, in case the company you hired does not cut out holes in your ductworks, your ductworks were not cleaned.
3. Use Air Compressor/High Power Vacuum
The best method of cleaning your air ducts is by using high-power vacuums and high-power air compressors.
They are usually linked to the access points that were chiseled earlier on.
Initially, the technician will apply negative pressure in your main duct through a high-power vacuum; this is to ensure that all particles in the ductwork are sucked from the system.
Here, rotating brushes that are motorized are used to make sure that all the dust, dirt, and grime are cleaned.
When the dust is comparatively agitated, the team will direct air pressure on each register in your home, one after the other, blowing the dust into the main ducts, where it will be sucked in by the vacuum system.
4. Sanitation
Some air duct cleaners do not sanitize the air ducts and this is one of the essential steps that help in the reduction of cases of airborne illnesses/diseases.
Here, your air duct system will be disinfected against bacteria, virus and mold.
This is because airborne diseases are always capable of eliciting respiratory tract ailments in case, they are conveyed through your duct works.
Final Inspection
Last of all, the technicians will then conclude cleaning all parts of your system and proceed to the final check.
The last inspection is one to ensure that no other defect is found during this process of inspection.
You should also supervise the inspection before and after the cleaning process to see the differences by yourself.
