Duct/Vent cleaning...

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Jake
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Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by Jake »

Anyone ever have it done?

Is it a scam?

I'm more interested in dust/dirt than mold.
But I'll take any and all info into account.

Thanks!
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by pleasantguywhopacks »

Jake wrote:Anyone ever have it done?

Is it a scam?

I'm more interested in dust/dirt than mold.
But I'll take any and all info into account.

Thanks!
If you have it done every year. It really make s difference in allergy suffering. Make sure the outfit is reputable.
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by NERES »

How does one "make sure they are reputable"?

Could someone please describe the process? My wife has terrible allergies which are starting again for the season and I would consider this if it helps.

Thanks.
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by BigBill »

Whempy's Chimney and Duct Cleaning in Columbus hooks a hose to your furnace ductwork that sucks about 10,000 cu ft of air per minute. They then push brushes and brooms through your ducts to break loose the built up cobwebs and dust. It all sucks out into their truck.

Think 'giant vacuum cleaner' sitting in your driveway...

Not something to be done in the winter.
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by pleasantguywhopacks »

NERES wrote:How does one "make sure they are reputable"?

Could someone please describe the process? My wife has terrible allergies which are starting again for the season and I would consider this if it helps.

Thanks.
Basically they run a vacuum and swab through your duct work. The BBB should have a listing of reputable outfits.
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by dan dan the XD40 man »

When I bought this house I had serious dust issues for a couple of years. I called in the duct cleaners and they spent about 3 hours with the vacuum truck and sweep brushes. They had to cut a couple of access holes but they patched them up nicely. I get 10% of the dust that I used to get in the house, so I'm guessing it's not snake oil. We used Stanley Steemer.
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by Jake »

NERES wrote:How does one "make sure they are reputable"?

Could someone please describe the process? My wife has terrible allergies which are starting again for the season and I would consider this if it helps.

Thanks.
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by hkuspclem40 »

Some of the ones that advertise super low prices to clean your ducts "lease out" their equipment to guys for a fee. There are usually limitations to what is included in the discounted service. The guys doing the work then try to up-sell extra services to customers who were just interested in the advertised special. They do this to cover what they paid to "use" the equipment and obviously make some money. Be aware.
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by Fonejack54 »

Jake,
A couple years ago I had a furnace replaced and the guys mentioned that my ducts needed cleaning. I asked how much and the guy counts ALL the ducts, gets on the phone and over a speaker I hear this ridiculous price. I tell them I'll think about it. I checked the ducts myself(not hard to do) and found the hot air ducts filthy but the cold air were not dirty at all. Now, I don't know if that's always the case, but it's how I found mine. So immediately I knew the guys were trying to charge me for 6 ducts that didn't need cleaning. I ended up doing a good job myself with an old vacuum cleaner with a long hose. I attached the hose to a broom and as the broom loosend the dust the vacuum swept it up. Did a good enough job. Saved me hundreds. Now I only have a 1000 sq.ft. home so my ducts may be smaller in length and this idea not feasible for your situation, but if you can do it yourself, you'll save money on a job that's not that hard.IMO
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by Jake »

I checked the ducts myself(not hard to do) and found the hot air ducts filthy but the cold air were not dirty at all.
Interesting...how old was your home at the time?

Can anyone else confirm hot vs cold ducts?
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by Newcomer »

Jake - we had ours cleaned for the first time last year. Definitely the first time since this house was built nearly 50 years ago. They took a ton of dirt out - I saw the filters which were brand new. It has mad a big difference in how dusty our house gets and also I can hear the air flowing through the system as odd as that sounds. We had them back this year for a maintenance cleaning and the amount of stuff they got out was significantly less even after a total basement gutting and renovation this past summer. I feel it's worth it and this guy that does mine LOVES talking about this stuff way more than I want to listen but he really is in to his work.
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by Rooster »

The cold ducts can get very filthy also, depending on your system. My sister’s house has a big main cold air return for the upper story, in the middle of the house. It is supplemented by a few perimeter returns on the same floor. The main return was absolutely nasty when I cleaned it out.
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by tmcblane »

Anybody have a general price they paid? I realize it depends on how much they clean but throw out some numbers. :D
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by pleasantguywhopacks »

Jake wrote:
I checked the ducts myself(not hard to do) and found the hot air ducts filthy but the cold air were not dirty at all.
Interesting...how old was your home at the time?

Can anyone else confirm hot vs cold ducts?
Hot ducts have positive pressure. Cold air have negative pressure so the cold air return gets filtered before going to the heated side and as long as filters have been in use there shouldn't be any debris. That said, why does dust build up on my cold air return? I say clean em.
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Re: Duct/Vent cleaning...

Post by Newcomer »

tmcblane wrote:Anybody have a general price they paid? I realize it depends on how much they clean but throw out some numbers. :D
I want to say something like $20 per opening the first time and then the next year was less since it was considered a maintenance price. I don't remember the first price exactly - maybe $260 and this year was $170
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