FAQ

The amount of time it takes to clean a residential HVAC system depends on many variables such as the size of the home, the number of systems, the extent of the contamination and the number of HVAC cleaners performing the job. Ask at least two contractors to inspect your system and give you a time estimate for your particular system. This will give you a general idea of how long the job should take as well as an idea of how thoroughly the contractor plans to do the job.

Frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, not the least of which is the preference of the home owner. Some of the things that may lead a home owner to consider more frequent cleaning include:

• Smokers in the household.
• Pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander.
• Water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system.
• Residents with allergies or asthma who might benefit from a reduction in the amount of indoor air pollutants in the home’s HVAC system.
• After home renovations or remodeling.
• Prior to occupancy of a new home.

The most effective way to clean air ducts and ventilation systems is to employ Source Removal methods of cleaning. This requires a contractor to place the system under negative pressure, through the use of a specialized, powerful vacuum. While the vacuum draws air through the system, devices are inserted into the ducts to dislodge any debris that might be stuck to interior surfaces. The debris can then travel down the ducts to the vacuum, which removes it from the system and the home.

Antimicrobial chemicals are applied by some companies to the interior surface of the air ducts, to treat microbial contamination such as fungi (mold), viruses or bacteria. Before any antimicrobial chemicals are used, the system should be thoroughly cleaned. It is critical that any antimicrobial treatment used in your system be registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency specifically for use in HVAC systems. The use of antimicrobial chemicals is an additional service that is not part of a typical air duct cleaning project.

You should interview as many local contractors as possible. Ask them to come to your home and perform a system inspection and give you a quotation. To narrow down your pool of potential contractors, use the following pre-qualifications:

• Make sure the company is a member in good standing of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).
• See if the company has been in business long enough to have adequate experience.
• Get proof that the company is properly licensed and adequately insured.
• Verify that the company is certified by NADCA to perform HVAC system cleaning.
• Make sure that the company is going to clean and visually inspect all of the air ducts and related system components.
• Avoid advertisements for “$99 whole house specials” and other sales gimmicks.
• Ask if the company has the right equipment to effectively perform cleaning, and if the company has done work in homes similar to yours. Get references from neighbors if possible.

The Environmental Protection Agency says that “duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in cost from $450 up to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climactic region, and level of contamination” and type of duct material. Consumers should beware of air duct cleaning companies that making sweeping claims about the health benefits of duct cleaning – such claims are unsubstantiated. Consumers should also beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies. These companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning the heating and cooling system. These companies may also persuade the consumer into unneeded services with and/or without their permission. (If you have knowledge of a practicing “blow-and-go” air duct cleaner, contact your local Better Business Bureau to report the company, and your local, federal, and provincial elected officials to demand legislation.)

NO…………………NO…………………….No

The following is an example of one major dryer manufacturer’s “typical recommendations”

(Excerpt re-printed from MAYTAG Web Site in the public domain)

• Read the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
• If at all possible, use 4-inch diameter rigid aluminum or rigid galvanized steel duct.
• Do not use smaller duct.
• If flexible metal duct must be used, use the type with a stiff sheet metal wall.
• Do not use flexible duct with a thin foil wall.
• Never use plastic flexible duct.
• Do not exhaust the dryer into any wall, ceiling, crawl space or a concealed space of a building, gas vent or any other common duct or chimney.
• Keep exhaust duct as straight and short as possible.
• Exhaust systems longer than the manufacturer’s recommendations can extend drying times, affect appliance operation and may collect lint.
• These recommendations may vary somewhat for various dryer brands and should be checked when installing the dryer.
  The exhaust hood on the outside of the house should have a swing out damper to prevent back drafts and entry of wildlife.
• Never use an exhaust hood with a magnetic damper.
• The hood should have at least 12 inches of clearance between the bottom of the hood and the ground or other obstruction.
• The hood opening should point down.
• Never install a screen over the exhaust outlet.

End of excerpt

Other additional general information re “exterior dryer vent – screens”

• In a perfect world “exterior dryer vents should not be fitted with vent screens”.
• Note: we often find “exterior dryer vents fitted with mesh vent screens” that are “blocked on the inside / backside of the vent screens” with “thick blanket / layers of dryer lint” (and blocked screens eventually choke & block the dryer ducts)
• We strongly recommend that exterior dryer vent screens be permanently removed to prevent dryer lint build-up on the vent screens and, to allow the dryer ducts to vent safely and efficiently (without any restriction) out to atmosphere.
• Note: dryer lint “will be produced during every normal drying cycle” and “dryer lint particles will enter the dryer duct”.
• Note: if exterior dryer vent screens are to remain in place and dryer lint particles become trapped on the exterior dryer vent screens”; *this is not the fault of our professional dryer duct cleaning work*.

Note: for general information purposes the following “paragraph excerpt” has been reproduced (from the public domain)

Excerpt

From the 2009 INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE

504.4 Exhaust Installation:

• Dryer exhaust ducts for clothes dryers shall terminate on the outside of the building and shall be equipped with a back-draft damper.
• Screens shall not be installed at the duct termination.
• Ducts shall not be connected or installed with sheet metal screws or other fasteners that will obstruct the exhaust flow.
• Clothes dryer exhaust ducts shall not be connected to a vent connector, vent or chimney.
• Clothes dryer exhaust ducts shall not extend into or through ducts or plenums.

Air duct cleaning can help in getting rid of mice in residential houses in Vancouver and Surrey, but it is not a complete solution. Mice can enter air ducts through small openings and use them as pathways to travel throughout the house, leaving behind droppings and causing damage to the ducts and insulation. During the cleaning process, professionals can remove mouse droppings, nests, and other debris from the ducts, which helps eliminate odors and improves indoor air quality. However, to effectively get rid of mice, it is crucial to identify and seal off their entry points, which may require additional pest control measures. After the air duct cleaning and pest exclusion, it is recommended to have the ducts cleaned again to ensure any remaining contaminants are removed.

The duration of air duct cleaning in a residential house in Vancouver or Surrey depends on several factors, such as the size of the house, the number of ducts, the level of contamination, and the accessibility of the ducts. On average, a thorough air duct cleaning can take anywhere from 3 to 8 hours. For a small to medium-sized home with easily accessible ducts and moderate contamination, the process may take around 3 to 5 hours. However, for larger homes with more complex ductwork or severe contamination, the cleaning process can take up to 8 hours or more. The cleaning company will provide a more accurate estimate based on your specific situation during the initial inspection. It is important to allow sufficient time for the professionals to do a thorough job for the best results.

Air duct cleaning in residential houses in Vancouver and Surrey can produce some noise, but the level of noise depends on the equipment and techniques used by the cleaning company. Most professional air duct cleaning companies use truck-mounted vacuum systems that are powerful enough to remove debris and contaminants from the ducts effectively. These vacuum systems can generate noise levels similar to a large shop vacuum or a lawn mower, which can range from 70 to 90 decibels. However, the noise is mainly confined to the area around the vacuum truck outside the house. Inside the house, the noise level is generally lower, as the cleaning technicians use smaller, handheld tools to agitate and dislodge debris within the ducts. These tools may produce noise similar to a small vacuum cleaner, around 60 to 70 decibels.

Dryer vent cleaning in residential houses in Vancouver and Surrey is generally safe when performed by experienced professionals using the proper tools and techniques. However, if the cleaning is not done correctly, there is a potential for damage to the vent system or the dryer itself. Improper cleaning methods, such as using high-pressure air or aggressive brushing, can cause cracks, holes, or separations in the vent ducts, compromising their integrity and efficiency. Damage to the vent system can lead to leaks, reduced airflow, and even fire hazards. Additionally, if the cleaning technician or home owner is not careful, they may accidentally damage the dryer’s internal components, such as the blower wheel or the heating element. To minimize the risk of damage, homeowners should hire a reputable dryer vent cleaning company that uses industry-standard tools and follows the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning and maintenance. This can be done in conjunction with the furnace vent cleaning.

Dryer vent cleaning in residential houses in Vancouver and Surrey typically includes a comprehensive inspection and cleaning of the entire vent system, from the dryer to the exterior vent outlet. The cleaning process usually involves the following steps:

1. Inspection: The technician will assess the dryer vent system to determine the level of lint and debris accumulation, identify any potential issues, and plan the cleaning approach.
2. Dryer disconnection: The technician will disconnect the dryer from the vent system and move it to access the vent opening.
3. Lint and debris removal: Using specialized brushes, air tools, and a high-powered vacuum, the technician will remove lint, debris, and other obstructions from the vent system, including the dryer’s lint trap, the transition duct, and the main vent line.
4. Exterior vent cleaning: The technician will clean the exterior vent opening, removing any lint, debris, or bird nests that may be blocking the airflow.
5. Reassembly and testing: After cleaning, the technician will reconnect the dryer to the vent system, test the dryer’s operation, and ensure proper airflow and venting.
6. Recommendations: The technician may provide recommendations for maintaining the dryer vent system and suggest any necessary repairs or upgrades to improve safety and efficiency.