We all know that the air we breathe is important and even more important when it comes to keeping your home or office safe and comfortable. Air ducts help circulate fresh air throughout your building, but they also have to be cleaned regularly to help them free of dust, dirt, and other contaminants. This is especially true if you have pets or smoke in the house or office—those things can rapidly build up in the air ducts and make them dirty. If you’ve ever wondered how to clean your air ducts, this article is for you. In this article, we will help you with some DIY steps for Calgary duct cleaning, the difference between professional Air Duct Cleaning, and Sanitization Vs. DIY, and when it’s time to call an expert.
Let’s find out.
What is an Air Duct?
An air duct is a pipe that carries air from one place to another. It can be made of different materials, including plastic, metal, and fiberglass. An air duct is usually attached to an air handler or blower, which moves the air around a building. The purpose of an air duct is to distribute warm air evenly throughout your home during cold weather. Air ducts are found in different types of buildings, such as homes, offices, schools, and hospitals.
Signs Your Air Duct Needs Cleaning
Some people think that air ducts are like the insides of a car. They’re not.
Air ducts must be cleaned regularly, like your kitchen sink or bathroom shower drain. Here are some signs your air duct needs cleaning:
- Visible accumulation of dust and debris
If you see visible dust or dirt accumulating on your vents, it’s a good sign that your ventilation system needs some attention. This can lead to a buildup of mold, which can cause serious problems for you and your family (think: allergies).
- Mold growth
Mold is another sign that your HVAC system needs cleaning. If you see any black spots in the corners of your vents or near any registers in your house, go ahead and call an HVAC technician in Calgary as soon as possible!
- Persistent musty or unpleasant odors
One of the most obvious signs that it’s time to clean your air ducts is when you start noticing persistent musty or unpleasant odors. If you’re having trouble breathing, sneezing, coughing, or getting headaches, and they seem to be centered around your furnace or air conditioner, it might be time for a duct cleaning.
- Allergy or respiratory issues
Another sign that an air duct cleaning is in order is if you or anyone in your home has been diagnosed with allergies or respiratory issues like asthma. A dirty air duct can make it harder for those who already have respiratory issues to breathe properly and feel comfortable at home.
- Inconsistent airflow or poor ventilation
If your vents are blocked or clogged, it can cause inconsistent airflow to your rooms. This is a sign that your ducts need cleaning.
- Increased energy bills
If your vents are dirty, they can cause uneven heating/cooling in different rooms, which means higher energy bills!
- Recent home construction or remodeling
This is a big one. If you’ve recently added a new room or installed a new flooring material in an existing room, chances are there’s dust (and possible construction debris) in your ducts. And if there’s dust in your ducts, it needs to come out! You’ll be surprised at how much cleaner the air in your home will feel after having this done—even if it seems like nothing has changed.
Things You Will Need To Do Air Duct Cleaning
To do air duct cleaning, you will need the following:
- A bucket (for water)
- A brush (to scrub your dirty air ducts)
- A vacuum cleaner (to suck up the dirt that’s in your air ducts)
- A pair of rubber gloves
- Access tools
- Drop cloths or plastic sheets
- Air compressor
- Disinfectant or antimicrobial spray
- Camera or inspection equipment
How To Do Air Duct Cleaning?
Do you want to know how to clean the air ducts in your home?
It’s easy! Follow these steps:
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Tools and Equipment
Before starting any project, be sure to gather all of the essential tools and equipment you’ll need. This will ensure that everything is accounted for and nothing is missed.
Step 2: Turn Off the HVAC System
When performing any kind of maintenance or repair on your HVAC system, it’s important to turn off the system so that there aren’t any electrical mishaps along the way. To do this, turn off all power sources at their source (breaker box) before working on any part of your HVAC system. Be sure to leave yourself enough time before turning things back on, and always check with an expert before doing anything. This will prevent dirt from being blown into other parts of your home.
Step 3: Remove Vent Covers And Access Panels
Before you can get down to business, you need to remove all vent covers and access panels from your vents. You may need a screwdriver for this step—but don’t worry! It’s super easy!
Step 4: Protect The Surrounding Area
You’ll want to protect anything that could get dirty during this process. The best way to do this is to use an old blanket or tarp to cover everything in the room. This will keep your flooring and furniture safe from dust and debris.
Step 5: Vacuum Loose Debris From Your Air Ducts
Make sure you’re using an attachment that can fit into the small spaces of your air ducts and that you’re not just blowing all the dust around. (You’ll want one with bristles that can grab onto things.) You don’t have to do this step every single time—just once in a while when you notice a lot of dust buildup or when you think about doing it because your allergies have been acting up lately.
Step 6: Use Air Duct Cleaning Tools
You don’t want to risk damaging your system by using chemicals or other cleaning products on it without proper preparation beforehand—and fortunately, using tools like brushes and vacuums will help protect against this damage while also making the cleanup process easier.
Step 7: Clean The Registers And Grilles
Remove the register covers. Vacuum the dust, dirt, and debris from inside the registers with a soft brush attachment. If you find that the register has collected mold or mildew, remove it using a bleach-based cleaner. Spray the cleaner on all surfaces and let it sit for several minutes before wiping it clean with a cloth. Wipe down all areas to ensure that there is no remaining residue from any cleaners or cleaners. Replace register covers in reverse order of removal.
Step 8: Inspect And Address Mold Or Microbial Growth
Inspect your air duct system for signs of mold and mildew growth by looking for discolored insulation or discolored walls near air ducts where there is moisture buildup. If you find visible signs of mold or mildew growth in your air duct system, immediately get in touch with a reputed Air duct cleaning service in Calgary to remove it before it spreads further into your home environment.
Step 9: Reassemble And Secure
Put together all the parts of the air duct cleaning machine you took apart in Step 1. Secure all pieces with screws, tape, or glue.
Step 10: Dispose of Waste
Next, dispose of any waste you’ve created during the cleaning process. This may include old equipment, gloves, and masks that have been used during the job or even parts of your home that were damaged during the cleaning process.
DIY Air Duct Cleaning Vs. Professional Air Duct Cleaning
Here’s a comparison chart outlining the key differences between DIY air duct cleaning and professional air duct cleaning:
| DIY Air Duct Cleaning | Professional Air Duct Cleaning | |
| Expertise and Knowledge | Limited | Extensive |
| Tools and Equipment | Basic tools | Specialized equipment |
| Cleaning Effectiveness | Variable | Thorough and effective |
| Time Required | Longer | Faster and more efficient |
| Risk of Damage | Higher | Lower |
| Contaminant Removal | Limited | Comprehensive |
| Mold Remediation | Limited ability | Expertise available |
| Indoor Air Quality | Improved | Significantly improved |
| Cost | Lower cost | Higher cost |
| Convenience | Requires time and effort | Less hassle, handled by professionals |
| Maintenance Plan | DIY maintenance required | Professional maintenance plans available |
FAQs Related To Air Duct Cleaning
How often should air duct cleaning be done?
Every 6 months, or as soon as you start to notice a change in your home’s airflow.
How much does air duct cleaning cost?
Air duct cleaning can cost anywhere from $500 to $1000, completely depending on the size of your home. At ClearView Services, we offer a free estimate so you can see precisely how much you’ll be paying before we get started.
How long does air duct cleaning take?
It depends on how many vents and registers there are in your home and what kind of system you have. In general, though, expect to spend at least a couple of hours on typical cleaning.
What happens if I don’t have my air ducts cleaned?
You could be breathing in mold, bacteria, and other contaminants that can cause respiratory problems, allergies, and asthma symptoms.
What’s the difference between air duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning?
Air duct cleaning is for your whole system, from the vents in your walls to the blower that pushes air through it. Dryer vent cleaning is just for the tube that exhausts hot air from your dryer. It has nothing to do with heating or cooling your home.
Should I hire an HVAC professional or do it myself?
It’s always better to look for an air duct cleaning near me if you can afford it. An HVAC professional will be able to do a more thorough job than you would be able to do on your own, and they’ll also know how to address best any issues that might arise. That being said, if you’re looking for an inexpensive fix, a DIY approach might be just what you need!
Get Help from Experts for Professional Air Duct Cleaning and Sanitization in Calgary!
When you need professional air duct cleaning and sanitization in Calgary, ClearView Services is there to help.
We are locally owned and operated and have been providing services since 1996. Our team can handle all your needs—from installation to maintenance to repairs.
Our company is fully insured and licensed with the City of Calgary, meaning that you can rest assured knowing that you’re hiring a trustworthy company with years of HVAC unit experience under their belts.
We treat each client with respect and care, regardless of their home or business size. We only use eco-friendly products that will not harm your family or pets, so you can rest assured that our qualified team is doing everything possible to keep them safe while we’re working in your home. We’ll also ensure your home is as clean and sanitary as possible so you can feel comfortable knowing your family is safe.
Whether you’re looking to improve the quality of your indoor air or simply need to remove dust and debris from your HVAC unit, we are here to help. We have years of experience helping customers like you get their homes back to tip-top shape after they’ve been neglected by other companies, so feel free to call us today at 587-912-2168 for air duct cleaning in Calgary.
