Vents and air ducts cleaning by yourself your house routinely has many benefits. The dust caught up in your HVAC system poses numerous health hazards along with the elimination of health hazards related to dirt, dust, and other harsh elements. A thorough air duct cleaning service makes sure that you enjoy healthy air in your home. Your air heating and conditioner systems are also likely to have a long life due to clean ducts.
Though getting a professional cleaner is a good option, DIY air duct cleaning can save you a lot of cash. The only obstacle you need to overcome is the lack of necessary tools and perhaps limited cleaning abilities. However, here is our guide on cleaning the vent and air ducts of your system.
Things You’ll Need When Working on Air Duct Cleaning Services
Before proceeding to the cleaning process. Make sure you have the appropriate cleaning products and supplies to get brilliant results like an expert. You have to collect the following things:
- Heavy-Duty Vacuum Cleaner
- Broom
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- Cleaning Brush
- Microfiber cloth/ Paper Towels
For your ease, the procedure for Air duct cleaning at home is given below:
Step 1: Power Off your air ducts system
Always start by switching off the heating and air conditioning systems. It will prevent any potential accidents and electrocution that can happen.
Step 2: Remove Grills Or Covers
Take off the bolts from the cover of the air duct and return air the grill plates.
Step 3: Cover Up Supply Vents
- Now, cover up those vents that supply air or heat to the rooms with micro fabric cloth or paper towels.
- Cover the vents you are not going to clean at the time. It keeps the dirt and dust from getting in and out during the cleanup of other areas.
- Just lift the supply vents and put a paper towel between the floor or wall and the vent cover. Also, the vent should stay in place without putting all the screws back in.
Step 4: Prepare The Drill
A simple way to loosen dust, dirt, spider webs, and mold is by using a drill along with a brush
- Place the register and open it up. Usually, their location is on the wall or the floor.
- After opening the register, hold your drill brush and shove it into the duct.
- Be sure it’s connected securely because the brush can get loose in the ducts.
- Now, please turn on the drill and whip its brush inside the ducts.
- When the drill is running, gradually pull it back. It will clean up the walls of the duct also.
- Now, switch off the drill when the brush is about 2 feet from the opening. You need to do this to prevent dirt from flying all around.
Step 5: Vacuum Clean It
You need to make sure you fully vacuum the air vents or ducts. Use a vacuum cleaner that has an attachment to clean deeply every nook and corner of your ducts if a heavy-duty vacuum is available in your house. You can rent one that has a long hose so that it will reach deeply into the ducts. Probably, there might be mildew and mold in the air ducts.
Step 6: Replace the Furnace Filter
Choking and buildup of residue will surely damage your furnace filter. A faulty filter will inhibit airflow and decrease the lifespan of your air conditioner or heater. After you finish your vents or air duct cleaning services, always make a point to replace your furnace filter. You can also consider contacting a professional if you have no idea how to replace a furnace filter.
Step 7: Finish Up
Lastly, wipe the area surrounding the duct, like the wall or floor. Then, put the cleaned air vent cover back in place and restart the system. Now, switch on your system or just run the fan part of it, if you would like, for 30 minutes. It helps in filtering any dust left in your system. Also, it helps in drying the parts you have wiped clean. When thirty minutes are over, replace your system’s air filter to eradicate excess dust it collected for you.
After completing the above steps, you’ll be done with DIY home air duct cleaning.
Does Cleaning Air Ducts Really Make a Difference?
Cleaning the ducts has never been proven to reduce health concerns. Neither do researchers convincingly show that filthy ventilation ducts raise particle (e.g., dust) levels in dwellings. This is due to the fact that much of the filth in air conditioners sticks to the walls of the ducts and does not generally penetrate the living environment.
How to clean air ventilation ducts yourself?
There are several causes to cleanse your home’s ventilation duct. The heating system can last (due to less dirt wearing out its parts), we dust less frequently, and the air we inhale at home is better when the ducts are clean. This should be a pleasant improvement for allergy sufferers.
You certainly don’t have access to a high-powered, truck-mounted vacuum system with 150-foot hoses, and you simply can not afford the expense of such a service, but we can tell you how to clean air ventilation ducts under your own. Yes, you won’t be likely to access every small detail, but you can still get rid of around 85% of the pollution in your system for less than the cost of a new furnace filter.
Duct systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including attic and subterranean systems, but the cleaning technique is the same. Although you may not be able to clean all portions of these systems (for example, underground ductwork), you may improve your air quality by cleaning the parts you can reach.
How Often Should Air Ducts be Cleaned?
According to research, the majority of homeowners who hired professionals to clean their air ducts are pleased with the outcomes and observe an increase in air quality and allergy symptoms. Cleaning your air vents after every three to five years is suggested generally, however, this might differ for different households. If you or someone in your household suffers from an allergy or respiratory issues like asthma, then it is recommended to clean your air ducts after every two to five years. Another reason why people should clean their ducts more frequently is if they live in a humid area. Humidity may allow molds to grow in your air duct vents, which has an impact on the quality of the air you inhale. Hiring a professional air duct cleaning service for your air ventilation ducts will guarantee that they are cleaned fully and appropriately.
Conclusion
Cleaning the air vents and air ducts in your house can be beneficial if you do it properly. Though, when all the work is done and dusted, your house will perhaps be in a huge mess. You can use your vacuum cleaner to clean your home. Also, take cleaning cloths to dust the furniture still if you are having difficulty with air duct cleaning services. Then, you must consider booking the services of a professional cleaner.
Undoubtedly, cleaning your air conditioning vents and ducts yourself can be a very time and labor-intensive project. Moreover, if you add the cost of renting tools, it may not be a task you’re inclined to do yourself. But, if you are confident enough in yourself, you should go for a DIY HVAC cleaning without any doubt.