Homeowners can do some work to clean air ducts

I see all these ads for getting ducts cleaned. Is there anything homeowners can do

themselves, and how would they go about doing it?



The air within your home is typically more polluted than the air outside your home. Homes

built over the past 30 years have been sealed more tightly with improved window and door

construction to prevent drafts. As a result, dust, moisture, pet hair and household chemicals

remain within the structure and can even cause mold.



If you have not had the ductwork cleaned within the past five to six years, or if you own a

pet, or if you notice mold at one of the vents or someone within the home has allergies, then

you might want to consider having your ducts cleaned. Remember the last time you changed your

furnace filter and noted all the dirt trapped by it? The rest of it is still in your

ductwork.



You will get the best results by having a contractor who is certified by the National Air

Duct Cleaners Association perform this task. They use special equipment that includes air

forced through your system at a high velocity, HEPA filters and a whip that can work its way

through your entire system.

That said, there are some things that you can do to maintain the ducts and improve the

quality of the air within your home. Start with regularly changing your furnace filters. The

inexpensive spun glass filters will protect your system but do absolutely nothing to clean

the air. Using a HEPA filter will reduce the amount of pollutants within the home.

Next, clean or replace every vent on your walls, floors and ceilings. Every time your furnace

or air conditioner kicks on, hair and dust are being trapped within the grill. Use a

screwdriver to remove the vent cover. Lay the vent on a piece of newspaper, brush off the

heavy dust and thoroughly clean both sides with a household cleaner.



Use the extension hose on your vacuum to remove dust and dirt from inside your vents. First,

use duct tape to securely fasten the hose and any attachments. This will keep the attachment

from falling off into the ductwork. Then, hose the sides as far you can reach. After

vacuuming out as much debris as you can, wipe down the inside of the vent with a sponge and

mixture of warm water and household cleaner.

Finally, consider the purchase of an indoor air purifier. There are many different sizes and

models on the market. The key is to purchase equipment suitable for the square footage of the

room, uses a HEPA filter and uses a high-speed fan to exchange more air through the unit.