Air Duct Cleaning Concord NC

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association has created standards for cleaning duct work. These steps include cleaning by hand, using compressed air tools, vacuum collection, and negative pressure just to name a few. In most cases the technician connects large vacuum collection systems to the home’s HVAC system, dislodges the dirt and dust in the ducts, and then collects the dislodged debris removing it from the home.

According to the NADCA proper cleaning methods include two basic steps. Breaking loose contaminants free and the collection of contaminants. This is accomplished through a variety of methods as listed below.

• Accessing the HVAC System – Typical access to the ductwork is through returns, vents, and registers. However, sometimes the service technician must cut holes in the ductwork to ensure a thorough cleaning. These holes are necessary to insert brushes, agitating devices such as skipper balls (small air-hose attachments that jet air into the vent and hop around). These tools dislodge the things clinging to the inner walls of the system so they can be collected. All openings and access points created are closed expertly so the system once again functions at peak efficiency after the cleaning.
• Using Truck – Mounted and Portable Vacuum Systems – The vacuum equipment utilized for air duct cleaning places the ventilation system under what is called “negative pressure”. Normally, the ductwork has positive pressure meaning air is blowing out, pressing the inner walls of the ducts outward. When the cleaning technician properly connects the vacuum system to the ductwork negative pressure is created pulling or sucking the duct walls inward. This is accomplished by sealing all the vents, returns, and openings. While the vents and returns are sealed, some air movement still exists but toward the collection equipment. This air movement takes the dislodged contaminants with it, removing the dirt, dust, and debris from the system.
• Antimicrobial Chemicals – Where ductwork has more than just dust and debris in it, such as mold or mildew growth, chemical agents are required for air duct cleaning. These chemicals are all approved by the EPA and follow the NADCA white paper on chemical product applications in HVAC systems. These chemicals include but are not limited to sanitizers, disinfectants, fungicides, fungistats, bacteriostats, and algaestats. These chemicals kill and inhibit the growth of mold, mildew, fungus, and yeast. The application of these chemicals both removes the contaminant and helps keep them from coming back.