Frequently Asked Questions

Why Clean Your Air Ducts?

• Remove triggers of asthma, allergies, and other respiratory discomforts, as well as chronic irritations of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. i.e. pollen, dust, dander, plant spores, mould, and other airborne pollutants.
• Remove visible and invisible/inaccessible dust, dirt, and debris from the “lungs” of your heating/cooling system. Reduce dusting. Reduce fire hazards.
• Freshen your home naturally, from the inside out and from the source. Create an environment conducive to making your home your own. Create a personalized, healthy, fresh atmosphere and a favourable home scent impression.

What Could Be in My Air Ducts?

• Construction or renovation debris (site dependent): Drywall dust, dirt, sand, assorted personal debris, chunks of drywall or wood, wood shavings, pieces of carpet, fiberglass insulation, metal…
• Accumulations from time: Human/pet hair and dander, dust mites, droppings, carpet fibers, food particles, household items, toys…
• Microbial Contamination: The combination of an available nutrient source layer in the ductwork (i.e. drywall dust) and the presence of moisture/humidity in the system may result in the growth of bacteria, mould, fungus, and viruses as well as creating a malodorous system.
• Other: Chemical and gaseous pollutants ie fumes/residue from flooring, cleaners, paint, smoke/soot residue – cooking/grease, tobacco, wood, candles…

Why Not Just Use Your Vacuum Cleaner or Central Vac to Clean Your Ducts?

Maintenance of a heating/cooling system should include regular in home vacuuming. This practice reduces the amount of material in the branch runs and assists to extend the life of a duct cleaning. A duct cleaning following an established source removal method goes beyond regular maintenance. The combination of a vacuum source at the furnace end of a system placing the system under negative pressure, and a variety of air tools being utilized at each register to dislodge and direct all matter through branch runs to main run and back to the vacuum source, guarantees a thorough cleaning of the system.

My Home is New, Why Do I Need My Air Ducts Cleaned?

Depending upon the care taken during the construction process, the air ducts in a new home can contain an amazing array of dirt, dust, and debris, all of which affect your homes indoor air quality, and heating/cooling system’s efficiency. Drywall dust can circulate for two to three years prior to forming a sediment layer in your air ducts. As well, in new ductwork, some drywall dust will stick to the inside walls of the ductwork vs. in an older system, drywall dust particles tend to stick to the existing layer of debris in the system, and hence, are easier to remove.

When and How Often Should Air Ducts be Cleaned?

The air ducts in a home should be cleaned following any construction or renovations. As well, when purchasing an existing home, it is a good idea to have the air ducts cleaned to remove any accumulations from the prior residents, to avoid triggers for health problems, and to make the home feel and smell fresh so that you can make your own impressions on your home.

A general guideline for a cleaning is to assess your home every two years. You will know when it’s time. You may notice you’re dusting more frequently, your furnace filters are dirtier sooner, the air feels or smells differently, or your health is affected, etc. Factors unique to your home will determine the variety and amount of debris in your system such as the presence of pets, carpets, smoke, young children (their activities increase airflow disturbance in your home and they can be the source of odd assorted matter ending up in the ductwork), renovations, living in an area with gravel or dirt roads, construction zones, open worked farm land, etc.