Indoor Air quality
How
long does it take?
This question could yield different
answers from different air duct cleaners. One man working alone
may take longer to complete the cleaning than two technicians
working together. A company with a truck vacuum may have a
quicker set up time than a company with portable equipment.
However, the most important variable is your unique home. Homes
with the air handler unit in the attic or a crawlspace may take
longer because of difficult access. A home with 35 vents will
usually take longer to clean than a home with 15 vents. A home
with more than one furnace may take several hours or the better
part of a day, whereas a single furnace home may take only two or
three hours with well-trained technicians and the right
equipment. You should ask how long it will take.
What
should I expect to pay for a proper air duct cleaning?
Beware
of companies offering whole-house specials for one low price. Air
duct cleaning is not a regulated industry so it is very easy for
people to get into business using substandard equipment, and
inexperienced laborers and/or subcontractors. These types of
companies (blow-n-goes, as they have come to be known in the
trade) may use subcontractors so they do not have to be
responsible for any insurance, worker's compensation or any
problems encountered or caused on your project. They offer very
attractive prices, and then schedule as many jobs in one day as
possible. Other factors that can affect price might be type of
equipment, location of company (those with a commercial place of
business are generally more expensive), insurance,
certifications, etc. An average single furnace home may vary from
$400 to $700 depending on a variety of factors, and larger homes
may reach upward of $1000 or more.
Do
you have to cut into my ductwork?
Usually, yes. Think
of it this way ... if you want to paint a room, you have to go
inside the room to do it. If you want to clean ductwork properly,
you have to be able to access the inside of it to do that.
Cutting an access hole to attach the vacuum hose then working
everything to that one connection point is more efficient than
going from vent to vent with the vacuum hose. That method will
not get all the debris, and may stir up irritants that could come
back into your home when the system is turned back on. Any access
opening made in your ductwork should be sealed in a manner that
returns the ductwork to the same or better condition. Some types
of duct systems cannot be cleaned from the furnace so the
technician must attach the vacuum to a vent opening. Specific
procedures are used during this method of cleaning, which involve
zoning off certain parts of the ductwork in order to clean all
sections. Your air duct cleaning service provider can explain
more about this to you.
Is
it a messy process?
As a "cleaning" company,
it is the job of your technician(s) to leave your home in as good
as or better condition than when they arrived. Extra care should
be taken based on varying weather conditions. Drop clothes may be
used if hoses need to be laid on carpeting. Any large collection
vacuum used inside your home should have appropriate filtration
so as not to allow debris back into your indoor air. Certainly,
there may be some debris that falls loose when a vent cover is
removed, or when dust is disturbed on the top of exposed
ductwork. But your service technicians should take the time for a
"general clean up" upon completion of the duct
cleaning.
Is
it loud or noisy?
Even though much of the equipment is
usually outdoors, the motors of the vacuum and compressor may be
heard quite clearly. You probably don't want to schedule your
cleaning while the baby is taking a nap, and you might even want
to take the baby for a stroll during the louder parts of the
procedure. You may want to give special consideration to small
children or pets affected by loud noises.
An
additional note about household pets:
Most
companies have procedures to accommodate your pets during the
cleaning. Technicians may clean one room first so you can place
your pets in that room for the remainder of the cleaning. Or you
may want to put your pet in his/her crate or outside during the
cleaning. Cats seem particularly stressed by the hissing noise of
a compressor air line. Additionally, the technicians may have
their vacuum hose running in to the house from outdoors, which
would present an opportunity for your pet to escape. It is
important to consider what you want to do with your pet during
the cleaning.
Should
I have my ductwork sanitized?
This is an issue of
debate. It is not uncommon for mold, fungus or bacteria to be
present in ductwork. It is a dark, confined space, and moisture
can be present, which may create an ideal breeding ground.
However, most spores can be removed with a thorough cleaning. It
is also important to evaluate why mold or other contamination is
present. Is the condensation from the furnace not draining
properly? Is a build up of moisture contributing to the problem?
Is the humidifier in need of maintenance? Is insulation in the
ductwork degrading or holding moisture? The cause of the problem
should be identified, or the mold will likely return.
Applying
a sanitizer is not part of a routine air duct cleaning. If your
technician advises it, then have him/her show you why they think
it is necessary. Some sanitizers require occupants not be present
during the application, and for a period of time after it has
been applied. Any chemical has what is called an MSDS, a Material
Safety Data Sheet. It gives detailed information about the
chemical, precautions, risk of exposure and how to handle varying
levels of exposure. You can always ask for a copy of the MSDS.
Only certain chemicals are registered by the EPA specifically for
use in non-porous ductwork (sheet metal). If mold or moisture is
present in porous ductwork, such as fiberglass or insulated
ductwork, it should be removed and replaced.
You should ask
questions of your potential service provider. You may want to ask
for references, proof of insurance and if any special licensing
is required in your state. This is an investment in the
maintenance and improvement of your home. Our members have agreed
to a certain standard and quality of work, and have made a
commitment to serve their customers in a professional manner. We
feel that you can be confident a DCN member will provide you with
the level of service you desire. Please do not hesitate to
contact us directly if we can provide further assistance or
informatio