Now that you’ve decided on a professional to clean your air ducts – preferably one with a lot of experience and certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) – you might be wondering what the process entails? Will this company is lugging a lot of heavy equipment into your house? Do things have to be postponed? How long will the process take? Those are good questions, and you will find the answers below.
First step: evaluation
A NADCA-certified professional will first take a close look at your ducts and HVAC system to assess the type of cleaning required. This can include removing ventilation covers, inserting a camera and/or mirror, and even collecting dirt and/or debris from your ducts. What it finds will depend on the lives of the residents of your home (including unwanted residents such as rodents), as well as the condition of the ducts and HVAC system.
Particles such as dust and pollen, mold that grew during the last heavy rain when the roof leaked on the ducts, as well as allergens and fur from pets or unwanted rodents can often be found in air ducts. Depending on the extent and type of dirt, the professional will then determine how to clean your sewers. For example, layered debris and pollutants can require an alkaline cleaner. The mold can require a special remediation protocol and EPA registered cleaners, and dust can only be scrubbed and vacuumed. Your duct cleaning professional should be able to explain what they found and how they want to clean it.
Cleaning accessories
In general, the devices required to clean your air ducts should not place too much strain on your work or living space. Cleaning equipment can include air hoses, brushes, specialty detergents, filter systems, and vacuum cleaners. Most businesses use trucks or gas-powered vacuums parked outside to power these tools. Making way to your vents is likely all of the adjustments needed in preparation for cleaning.
If the examination reveals past or present moisture and the professional suspect’s mold or bacteria. The air duct cleaning Asheville company may also bring sampling equipment (samples of the dirt itself and/or the air in your ducts) for laboratory analysis. If laboratory analysis is required. The cleaning can be delayed until the type of contamination and the appropriate cleaning agent are determined.
The cleaning process
A NADCA-certified professional first cleans your vents and ducts with special air hoses and brushes. The loosened debris and dust move towards the vacuum system and are caught outside the house. Applying special cleaners, biocides, mold inhibitors, and/or sealants requires additional steps and is used in certain cases.
Depending on the action plan developed by you and the professional to prevent future pollution of the air ducts. For example, a plan to prevent the ingress of moisture, high humidity, or mold – the professional may next install better filtering UV light and/or a dehumidifier.
Several variables determine the time the cleaning process takes, including the number of HVAC units and ducts. The number of workers doing the job, and the amount of cleaning required. In general, it takes about three to four hours to clean the ducts of the average single-family home with an HVAC unit. Larger homes or businesses with multiple HVAC units – or homes whose ducts have been contaminated with mold, bacteria, or other toxic particles. May require a full day or more of cleaning depending on the remediation protocol. In rare cases, the specialist may recommend replacing damaged or contaminated air ducts cleaning in whole or in part. This process can take several days and additional installation.
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