Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Americlean duct cleaning methodology?
First, an access opening is created in the plenum, or in the main duct line next to the furnace. Then our highly trained experienced technicians connect the hose from a HEPA filtered high velocity vacuum to the access opening next to the furnace. Each register on the wall, floor, and ceiling is carefully removed and cleaned using a hand held HEPA filtered vacuum. (The EPA and NADCA contend that it is impossible to clean a duct system without removing all the registers). Vent openings are temporarily sealed off to eliminate the threat of dust in the home and to concentrate the vacuum's negative air pressure. An electric rotary brush is used to dislodge the contaminants accumulated on the inner duct surface. (An EPA report, based upon scientific data, bluntly states, “ . . brushing is necessary to effectively clean the (duct) surfaces.” EPA-600/R-97-137. Yet many companies do not use brushes in their process.) An air-washing device is inserted to push the remaining debris toward the vacuum. The fan blower compartment, plenum and coil are cleaned with high pressure air and vacuumed. A pre-cut sheet metal plate is screwed in place and sealed with metal tape on the access opening previously made. Finally, through our ductscope or fiber optic video camera, we re-inspect the air duct system in order to verify its cleanliness. During, and after the cleaning process, we encourage you to see for yourself the cleanliness of your air ducts.
Is duct cleaning a dusty process?
No. Americlean's vacuums use HEPA filters to ensure that 99.97% of particulate matter is contained within the vacuum.
Is cutting a hole in the duct work neccessary?
Yes. It is the only way to capture the debris before it reaches the furnace and its delicate components. Access openings are standard practice in the industry.
Is using a brush inside the duct work needed?
Yes. Americlean's patented electric rotary brushes are long and flexible enough to clean any duct configuration. Chimney sweep brushes cannot do the job. Vacuuming alone removes only 40% of the debris. No matter how powerful the machine is, only internal agitation will remove the remaining contaminants. An EPA study (EPA-600/R-97-137) said: "brushing is necessary to effectively clean the duct..."
Is duct work sanitizing a good idea?
Many clients ask about the application of a santizing chemical as a normal function while cleaning ductwork. And some duct cleaning contractors routinely offer sanitizing for free.
If microbial growth is suspected in a duct system, Americlean recommends a micro-biologist perform testing. The application of a sanitizing agent is not recommended as a general practice unless microbial growth is visually evident or a professional biological assessment has been performed. Sanitizing agents applied to the interior of a duct system must be registered with the EPA because these chemicals are classified as pesticides (toxic chemicals).
Dust in a duct system consists predominantely of organic based matter. This is a nutrient source for biological growth and sustenance. If the food source is removed by professional cleaning methods the application of a sanitizer as a precautionary measure is redundant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Americlean duct cleaning methodology?
First, an access opening is created in the plenum, or in the main duct line next to the furnace. Then our highly trained experienced technicians connect the hose from a HEPA filtered high velocity vacuum to the access opening next to the furnace. Each register on the wall, floor, and ceiling is carefully removed and cleaned using a hand held HEPA filtered vacuum. (The EPA and NADCA contend that it is impossible to clean a duct system without removing all the registers). Vent openings are temporarily sealed off to eliminate the threat of dust in the home and to concentrate the vacuum's negative air pressure. An electric rotary brush is used to dislodge the contaminants accumulated on the inner duct surface. (An EPA report, based upon scientific data, bluntly states, “ . . brushing is necessary to effectively clean the (duct) surfaces.” EPA-600/R-97-137. Yet many companies do not use brushes in their process.) An air-washing device is inserted to push the remaining debris toward the vacuum. The fan blower compartment, plenum and coil are cleaned with high pressure air and vacuumed. A pre-cut sheet metal plate is screwed in place and sealed with metal tape on the access opening previously made. Finally, through our ductscope or fiber optic video camera, we re-inspect the air duct system in order to verify its cleanliness. During, and after the cleaning process, we encourage you to see for yourself the cleanliness of your air ducts.
Is duct cleaning a dusty process?
No. Americlean's vacuums use HEPA filters to ensure that 99.97% of particulate matter is contained within the vacuum.
Is cutting a hole in the duct work neccessary?
Yes. It is the only way to capture the debris before it reaches the furnace and its delicate components. Access openings are standard practice in the industry.
Is using a brush inside the duct work needed?
Yes. Americlean's patented electric rotary brushes are long and flexible enough to clean any duct configuration. Chimney sweep brushes cannot do the job. Vacuuming alone removes only 40% of the debris. No matter how powerful the machine is, only internal agitation will remove the remaining contaminants. An EPA study (EPA-600/R-97-137) said: "brushing is necessary to effectively clean the duct..."
Is duct work sanitizing a good idea?
Many clients ask about the application of a santizing chemical as a normal function while cleaning ductwork. And some duct cleaning contractors routinely offer sanitizing for free.
If microbial growth is suspected in a duct system, Americlean recommends a micro-biologist perform testing. The application of a sanitizing agent is not recommended as a general practice unless microbial growth is visually evident or a professional biological assessment has been performed. Sanitizing agents applied to the interior of a duct system must be registered with the EPA because these chemicals are classified as pesticides (toxic chemicals).
Dust in a duct system consists predominantely of organic based matter. This is a nutrient source for biological growth and sustenance. If the food source is removed by professional cleaning methods the application of a sanitizer as a precautionary measure is redundant.