Since my goal has always been to be a resource for my clients long past closing, I have had this conversation! I've also seen the duct work of some seriously nasty systems and it is impressive.
My colleague, Michael Thornton of Brentwood, TN has written a fantastic article about things to consider when hiring a ductwork cleaner which I would like to share with you. Very good information! Thanks, Michael
Are Go and Blow Duct Suckers Sucking the Money Out of Your Pocket?
We have all seen their coupons in the coupon clipper magazines. Many folks in the industry refer to them as go and blow duct suckers. They go into your home, blow dust around, and suck the money right out of your pocket. So is air duct cleaning really worth the investment? The answer is yes, if you have the right company do the work.
The EPA recommends air ducts be cleaned every 5-7 years and they should be inspected every 2 years especially if you have floor vents. Floor mounted air duct supply registers will capture more biological contaminants while horizontal mounted air duct supply registers will capture more debris. Supply vents in high traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens will capture more contaminations and biohazards whether they be horizontal or floor mounted. These biohazards can be circulated throughout your home through the air ducts and circulation system.
New construction is not exempt. Builders do not want to talk about dirt in the boots and ductwork system. Subcontractors toss everything into the air ducts. I have found anything from last weeks lunch to discarded coveralls in the supply and return air ducts. Given the right conditions, mold will grow on the dirt and contaminants.
If you are considering haveing your air ducts cleaned, and to protect yourself from these blow go and blow duct suckers check their credentials:
1. Are they members of IAQ (Indoor air Quality Association)
2. Are they Certified ASCS (air systems cleaning specialist)
3. Are they members of ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America)? Members are top rated for the restoration of air systems and ducts.
4. Are they members of NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association)
5. Always ask for references
What do they do?
1. Do they cover your furniture to protect it from cross contamination?
2. Do they set up containment to ensure no cross contamination enters the living space?
3. Do they remove vent covers, wash and dry them?
4. Do they repair loose air ducts and boots?
5. Do they properly re-install vent covers?
6. Do they clean the exterior of the air handler if it is an interior installation?
7. Do they clean evaporator coil, coil drain pans and blower wheel? In some states, only certified HVAC contractors can do this.
8. Do they fog the system if it has evidence of microbial contamination (micro-biocide).
Air ducts cannot be sanitized. Depending upon the state, if a biocide is used in air ducts, the applicator must have a pest control license. Check with your city or state licensing boards. The company should have a MSDS sheet on all the products they use. Ask for copies. By following this simple guideline, you can keep Go and Blow Duct Suckers from Sucking the Money Out of Your Pocket.
© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
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SarahGray Lamm is a licensed, full time, residential real estate professional in the Raleigh Durham area of North Carolina with over 60,000 hours of experience. She specializes in serving the real estate needs of home sellers, home buyers and investors in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham and Northern Chatham County and is proudly associated with Allen Tate Realtors, the Carolinas #1 independent realty company.
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Good information. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.
Sarah, Thanks for the re-blog. Sorry that your inspector does not see the value in blogging, but then this is not for everyone...
I thought this post was taking a drastically different turn....:( Too bad, could have been a great jack!
Karen, I KNOW better than to use words like that with you and C-Tann running around loose! :-)
Yes, indeedy, it could have been a GREAT JACK.
I do wish you had the re-blog featured clicked - I wanted to re-blog it.
Lori, you're right about that! It's Michael Thornton's originally! Head on over and reblog from his post. I'm sure he will be flattered!