What to Expect From a Professional Air Duct Cleaning Service

There are few things as important to our health, comfort, and well-being as clean air circulating throughout our homes. The air we breathe inside our buildings affects us more than we realize. Air duct cleaning is an effective way to increase indoor air quality when done for the right reasons. However, finding a reliable air duct cleaning company can be harder than you might think.

At Filterbuy LOCAL, we understand you may have questions and concerns about how air duct cleaning businesses work and what to look for in a company. Our goal is to give you the information needed to feel confident when hiring a duct technician. To learn more about what you can expect from a professional air duct cleaning service, read on.

When Is Professional Air Duct Cleaning Necessary?

Air ducts allow your HVAC system to circulate air throughout your home. If your ducts are blocked by debris or other obstructions, it can negatively impact your indoor air quality. According to air quality experts, dirty air ducts should receive a professional cleaning when needed and in the special circumstances outlined below:

1. Infestations

Rodents, insects, and other critters tend to make air ducts their home, especially in colder months and climates. Typically, these uninvited guests enter through an exterior vent and nest in different places throughout your air duct system. The most common sign of an air duct infestation is a strong, unpleasant odor coming from your ducts. You may also notice strange noises or unexpected sounds coming from your system.

2. Mold

Air ducts' moist, often warm environment makes them the perfect place for mold growth. In cases of well-developed growth, mold spores can release into your home’s air. These spores can go unnoticed, but over time they impact your indoor air quality and may cause health-related issues. A persistently, musty smell coming from your vents is a sign that you should schedule an air duct mold cleaning.

3. Home remodeling

Planning a home renovation or remodel? You should make sure you are also scheduling an air duct appointment after any in-home construction projects. If air duct vents are not sealed properly during a renovation, significant debris can enter your vents and later impact your indoor air quality. If you’ve recently remodeled your home and notice large amounts of debris spilling from your air vents, a professional air duct cleaning service should be your next step.

4. Blockage

Any blockage or clog in your air duct system is also a reason to get an air duct inspection and cleaning. Air needs to flow easily in and out of your system to ensure it works smoothly and properly. If you notice your duct airflow is blocked or inhibited by debris or other media, it is time to get your air duct system inspected and cleaned. In this case, a professional air duct cleaning service will help ensure there is less strain on your HVAC system.

Should I Clean My Ductwork Myself?

While it may be tempting, you should never attempt an air duct cleaning yourself or without a professional technician on-hand. An amateur cleaning can compound your air duct problems and even result in a broken system. Here are some more reasons why cleaning ducts yourself is an unwise and potentially costly decision for you and your system:

1. Safety Risk

Attempting an unprofessional duct cleaning can be a safety risk to you and your home. Without proper training, you may not be able to fully clean your ducts without putting yourself in harm's way. For example, if your air intake vent is on the ceiling, attempting to reach the dirty duct areas will require you to balance on a ladder while cleaning - an unrecommended and dangerous activity for any non-professional. Hiring a technician will prevent you from incurring injury or other costly issues from an amateur cleaning.

2. Duct System Damage

Damaging your duct system is always a possibility during air duct cleaning. Even if you think you know what you’re doing, amateur HVAC duct cleanings have a high chance of hurting your ducts - or worse, the whole system. Any damage will likely result in replacements, costing you more time and money than hiring a trusted air duct cleaning service. Trained duct cleaning professionals understand correct cleaning practices and lower the chances of system damage.

3. Improper Equipment

Professionals use high-powered air duct cleaning tools and equipment to collect all traces of dirt and debris from your system. Attempting to use lower-quality or household tools to clean your ducts can cause duct debris to spread more throughout your home. As the EPA reaffirms:

…an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more dust, dirt, and other contaminants than if you had left the ducts alone.

To keep your indoor air quality in good condition and prevent further issues, you should always leave air duct cleaning to trained, properly equipped professionals.

4. Unprofessional Results

Regardless of what DIY duct cleaning advice you take, amateur techniques will never measure up to professional results. Hiring a knowledgeable air duct professional is the best way to keep your duct system in good condition without extra damage or replacement costs. After experiencing professional HVAC duct cleaning results, you will feel better knowing that you did not put your heating and cooling system (or your wallet) at risk.

What To Expect From a Professional Air Duct Cleaning Service

The safest and most effective way to clean your dirty air ducts is with a trusted, local service. While procedures and prices vary among different companies, here are a few things you can expect from any high-quality ac duct cleaning service:

1. Trained Professionals

Any air duct cleaning service worth the investment will ensure only well-trained professionals go near your ducts. Hiring a trusted technician means you won’t have to worry about potential duct damage or unprofessional results. Attempting to clean your air ducts yourself can take hours and pose a danger to your home. You're better off leaving it to a professional (and saving yourself the time and energy).

2. Air Duct Knowledge

A professional air ducts cleaning service will have a much deeper knowledge of your ducts than the average person. Investing in a knowledgeable duct cleaning company means you’re also getting years of experience and expert insight into your system’s issues. A professional will better be able to let you know what they observe in your ducts, provide a much better clean, and be able to refer you to the correct resource if the issue is out of their scope. When it comes to cleaning your duct system, having a person with an in-depth understanding will make the investment even more worth it.

3. Professional Equipment

The equipment used by professional air duct technicians is much more powerful and more expensive than DIY air duct cleaning tools. The vacuums professionals use to clean your ducts, for example, are many times more powerful than the average household vacuum cleaner. This tool and others ensure that the duct debris is successfully removed without negatively impacting your indoor air quality. They also speed up the cleaning process, allowing a professional cleaning to be quicker than any amateur cleaning.

4. High-Quality Inspection

Hiring a professional air duct technician will also give you a better understanding of what’s happening inside your ducts. You might believe that you just have a general duct blockage, but a trained technician can notice more subtle signs of infestation. A general duct inspection by a professional can go a long way in identifying problems, such as mold growth, that could cause future problems if left untreated.

5. Reliable Service and Honest Prices

Top-tier air duct cleaning companies provide reliable services and help you feel more at ease about the cleaning process. You will have less to worry about during the process and may gain useful information about your heating and cooling system to reference in the future.

Trusted service professionals will also have an honest and up-front pricing system. Knowing exactly what you will be paying for and agreeing on a price that reflects the quality of the service is essential. While it may be a small investment, professional air duct cleaning services will take good care of your ducts and save you money in the long run when compared to amateur services.

How to Find an Air Duct Cleaning Professional

Once you decide on air duct cleaning, the next (and most important) step is to find a trusted air duct cleaning professional. The procedures, prices, and air duct knowledge vary greatly among different businesses. Duct cleaning companies may require different technician training levels and real-world experience. With this in mind, here are a few steps you can take to ensure you are hiring a reliable company:

Do an Online Search

The easiest way to find a reputable company near you is through an online search. Google and other search engines can filter results to only include premium air duct cleaning businesses in your area. This will automatically make finding a company near you an easier and quicker experience.

Do Your Research

Always do some research on the air duct cleaning businesses that interest you. No two companies are the same and may have different practices. Online reviews can tell a lot about whether a company is trustworthy or not. If you see mostly 1 or 2-star reviews for a service, it may be a good idea to do further research or look elsewhere. If you are unsure about a business, you can also check with your local Better Business Bureau for any recently lodged complaints.

Schedule a Call

Scheduling a call or consultation with a company before agreeing to have your home serviced is a good standard practice. This conversation will give you time to ask questions and get a feel for the company’s procedures. A company refusing a call or consultation with you before the intended service date is a red flag. Reliable air duct cleaning businesses will be happy to speak with you, discuss their offerings, and answer your questions.

Find a Trusted Company

A very important part of finding an air duct cleaning service is making sure that they are trustworthy and have a good reputation. Trust is essential to any hired service, especially when you are allowing someone into your home. Before you agree to pay for an ac duct cleaning, make sure you feel comfortable with the company, their claims, and how they conduct business.

If you're looking for a thorough, experienced company to improve the quality of your home's air, look no further. Filterbuy LOCAL - the most trusted name in air filtration, is ready to help you and your family with your air duct cleaning needs.

We take pride in improving your indoor air quality and ensuring the safety of you, your family, and your home. Filterbuy LOCAL experts are trained in all aspects of home air duct cleaning and will work with you to deliver high-quality results.

Click here to learn more about Filterbuy LOCAL for air duct cleaning.