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Thread: Duct Cleaning

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Duct Cleaning

    Does anyone have furnace duct cleaning done? Is it worth the money? They want about $500 to have it done here.
    We have no allergies, just a dusty house.

  2. #2
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    Yes.
    Yes.
    My home they got a 55gal barrel full of stuff out of the ducts. Including a 1968 Pepsi can and a dessicated Turtle.

  3. #3
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    Sorry about your Turtle
    kids that hunt and fish dont mug old ladies

  4. #4
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    If you have no problems, why bother.
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  5. #5
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    I believe a lot is dependant on the system operator and the humidity in the house. If the air is to dry for mold spores in general they will not grow in ducts. The current UMC and most furnace instructions void a warranty if the furnace is used to dry sheetrock. This has been in effect since the early 2000's. If the home is older than that it probably has a lot of construction crud in the ducts. Few furnace blowers will pull it into filters you need a stronger fan. If the builder did a good job of cleanup then you are ahead but may do not even sweep up old sheetrock screws before putting down pad and carpet. It is really up to you and what you can see about the building. Get a camera on a cable. pull a grill and see what you can see about them, or even just use a mirror. If it is due you should be able to tell.
    [The Montana Gianni] Front sight and squeeze

  6. #6
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    I've never understood why it is important.

    If you had some specific problem, ... maybe? If the system is working what's to be gained? A little bit more airflow?
    My guess is a 20 year old duct that's never been cleaned and one that was cleaned 6 months ago - will look pretty much the same.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master rondog's Avatar
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    You might be surprised what some homebuilders will stuff in the ducts, especially laborers that just might be bitter about building expensive houses that they could never afford. Scrap wood, soda cans, screws/nails, wire scraps, carpet scraps, drywall scraps, food wrappers, cig butts, use your imagination.....

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
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    All of the above is true in one way or another. The most important question is "are they a reliable company who do honest work". Duct cleaning is one of the biggest home rip off rackets going. Unless you can supervise or at least watch what they are doing you can be taken to "the cleaners" in more than one way. Ask for references and check them. Contact your local BBB and see what complaints if any have been registered. How long have they been in business in your comunity or did they just appear and just as rapidly disappear. Remember, if you are not paranoid you are not paying attention.

  9. #9
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    I laughed the first few times I saw duct cleaners advertised on TV. Back in the dark ages when I was installing sheetmetal ductwork, every bit of supply side ducting was insulated.

    Imagine what that little duct cleaning machine will do to exposed insulation. Not good.

    The return side we didn't insulate, but why bother vacuuming only half of it?

    Robert

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bob in Revelstoke View Post
    All of the above is true in one way or another. The most important question is "are they a reliable company who do honest work".

    Second this - from the perspective of our company getting a lot of business from guys stepping/falling through ceilings

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by rondog View Post
    You might be surprised what some homebuilders will stuff in the ducts, especially laborers that just might be bitter about building expensive houses that they could never afford. Scrap wood, soda cans, screws/nails, wire scraps, carpet scraps, drywall scraps, food wrappers, cig butts, use your imagination.....
    We found beer cans in the vents at my parents house after it was completed . I'd agree with doing your due diligence on the company hired, just like roof repair guys that appear outta nowhere after a storm and then disappear quickly.
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  12. #12
    Boolit Master slim1836's Avatar
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    If you have flex duct, it may be just as cheap to replace the ducts as the cost of cleaning the existing.

    Slim
    JUST GOTTA LOVE THIS JOINT.

  13. #13
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    We have been here near 30 years and have an oil furnace with ducts. I ran the furnace one year to get rid of oil but the underground tank was still high. I bought a cheap hand pump and drained it, gave the oil to an old lady up town.
    I heat with wood so the furnace is never used. Might have dust in it but how does air circulate in the ducts? All vents are kept closed.
    Dust is funny stuff and needs brushed or broken loose to vacuum, A fan is useless. You can use a shop vac with a long hose and a brush to do as good a job.
    I had gas cans in the barn, full of dust and webs, You can't put in front of any fan to clean. Purple Power sprayed on and a hose made them like new. The truth is soap and water only works and you don't want that in ducts. Save the money.

  14. #14
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    They do not just vacuum them out. They apply a high pressure whip to every duct, breaking dust free which is collected before the exchanger.
    A good company will remove and isolate the furnace from the ductwork and use a collection system like found in a woodshop tied directly into the return.

  15. #15
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    How often do you change your air filter? Have you looked inside your ducts?

    If you have pets dust will always be an issue. We have two dogs and a cat and I am always dusting. I just painted and looked into my ducts. The ducts looked really clean.

    If my ducts were really dirty (to the point where I felt they needed to be cleaned) I'd just climb up in the attic and replace them. I have access, can do the job myself and know flexible ducts are pretty inexpensive.

    I'd not hire someone for $500 to do a job that I cannot observe or evaluate the quality of work. The whole idea stinks of snake oil.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Storydude View Post
    They do not just vacuum them out. They apply a high pressure whip to every duct, breaking dust free which is collected before the exchanger.
    A good company will remove and isolate the furnace from the ductwork and use a collection system like found in a woodshop tied directly into the return.
    That would work. How much dust gets in there. Seems sitting longer will have more.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by 44man View Post
    That would work. How much dust gets in there. Seems sitting longer will have more.
    My house was built in the 20's, had central heat installed sometime in the 40's, upgraded who knows how many times, and at least was 1968 since they were cleaned.

    They got a 55 gallon drum full of dirt and other items from a 1700Sq/Ft 2 level home.
    I noticed a decrease in heating bills(probably from improved airflow) and allergies vanished. Plus, not as much dusting was needed in the winter anymore.

    Would I do it yearly? No. I probably would't even do it every 5 years. But if it's never been done before, you will see an improvement.

  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master

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    A properly installed system will have filters. Changing the filters is most definitely important. If that chore isn't neglected, the ducts will be clean.
    Any construction debris is there from the beginning and is the mark of a contractor that doesn't care.
    Duct Cleaning Companies that play off your unfounded fears are just blood suckers. If given a chance to inspect, I guarantee they will advise you that you desperately need it done to avoid impending serious health issues. Not one in a thousand will say you don't need it done.
    Just like used car salesmen, your talking to them, so you need it.
    Information not shared. is wasted.

  19. #19
    In Remembrance


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    We get it done about every 3 - 5 years by the same company. We`ve been here 33 years in a tri level home with half basement abd uses LP gas for heat and water heater. When we get it done the fella shows me the end result after the job is done, really amazing. Furnace filters don`t fit that well and let a certain dust get by and back into the house. We are almost 200 yds from our road and up on a knoll so road dust isn`t as bad as being next to a road. I consider this as home maintence as the same as I have the septic tank pumped out about every 12 years also.Robert

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy
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    I have seen the before and after photos inside the same ductwork. IF the ducts are dirty have it done, good money well invested by a GOOD company.

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