Indeed, Air Duct Cleaning is a necessity for any house with air conditioning. There are many other reasons why regular HVAC cleaning is necessary: pets, too many people using it, too much dust and debris accumulated in it, and even the presence of a particularly nasty mold problem in a building’s ductwork. But whatever the reason for cleaning your ductwork, it does need to be done on a regular basis to keep your air conditioning from breaking down or even exploding. Here’s what you should do.
It’s important to get as much detail about duct cleaning as you can before you decide to call in professionals. Many companies will give you an estimate of how much the entire cleaning process will cost, but it’s always a good idea to get at least one more quote just to double-check the accuracy of that estimate. You can get a second and third price quote as well, but it’s always a good idea to compare prices.
Duct cleaning is often performed on a Saturday afternoon. Most HVAC companies will schedule this special cleaning at the end of the week for those who want to do their own thing, while still keeping their HVAC running smoothly. If you don’t have this scheduled at the end of the week, make sure you call the company two days in advance to schedule it.
It’ll likely be necessary for you to bring a pair of gloves and a mask when you come in for the cleaning. For best results, wear these items both when you go in and when you come out. Dust masks are particularly useful when dealing with a small area such as an air filter or air vent. You can also use these items, if you find that the duct cleaning companies don’t provide you with proper protective gear.
When you’re ready to begin cleaning, you should take some time to remove any furniture or carpet that has been sitting in your ductwork for a while. Don’t worry: if you’re able to locate them, chances are the majority of them will have already fallen apart!
After removing everything from your room that needs to be cleaned, clean out your attic or other areas of the home where air filters are located. Take special care to vacuum any carpets, too. This will not only remove dust, but other allergens and bacteria that can make their way into your HVAC systems and cause an explosion or other hazardous condition.
Then, gather up anything that doesn’t belong in the attic or other parts of the home (carpet and furniture included) and store them safely. Take these items with you when you leave the cleaning location so you don’t have to take them back later on. Also, try to avoid placing anything in your attic that you might have forgotten to get rid of once you’ve finished. It’s best to keep the duct work outside the house, rather than inside the home, so it won’t spread the dirt and debris around.
As you start cleaning, remember to check your ductwork for leaks and any signs of damage. If you notice any of these, have your technician take action right away. Don’t wait until it becomes too late to solve the problem. Even if it seems like it’s not causing a problem, you may never know when it could start happening in a place that is supposed to be completely sealed up between the ductwork and your house. The longer you wait, the longer you will find yourself living with the problem.