What are the steps involved in cleaning a ventilation system?

October 10th, 2022

The beautiful season is coming to an end and autumn is already giving us signs that are difficult to ignore with its colours in the trees. With cooler temperatures, we will necessarily be indoors more often. In addition, doors and windows may be closed more often and therefore there will be less natural ventilation. This is the perfect time to think about cleaning your ventilation system. The following blog post will give you information on the best time to clean your ventilation system in order to enjoy the best possible air quality and increased performance.

A matter of air quality

During the winter, your house breathes mechanically. That is to say, you can no longer take advantage of the fresh air outside to refresh and sanitize your home. The air you breathe then is carried, spread or evacuated through a network of ducts. We are talking here about air exchangers, heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), forced air heating systems, bathroom fans or even range or dryer hoods. It’s a good idea to ask yourself if all these ducts are clean. After all, it is through them that the air circulates that you and your family will breathe all winter long when you are well bundled up inside. It is therefore above all a question of air quality.

Cleaning steps

In the case of forced air heating systems, they have return ducts and this is often where dust collects. The first step to cleaning them is to introduce a vacuum cleaner hose after attaching a brush. In most cases, this type of cleaning should suffice. If your home is home to multiple pets, you may need a beefier household. If a deeper cleaning is needed, then it should be done by professionals. They have the equipment required to properly polish the pipes. As for air exchanger ducts and HRVs, whether flexible or rigid, they can only be cleaned using specialized equipment. So you won’t be able to do the job on your own. Indeed, this type of conduit is winding and sometimes passes through places that are difficult to reach. In addition, they are rather fragile and therefore require special attention that only professionals can give them. If these flexible ducts have been overstretched, note that you may need to replace them.

When to clean

Fall is a good time since it precedes winter and therefore cleaning will allow quality air to circulate in your home for the cold season. As mentioned above, if your family is large or you have several animals that lose their hair, it is very likely that you will have to do a good cleaning more than once a year. In any case, if you doubt the cleanliness of your ventilation ducts, do not hesitate to contact professionals who can make the correct diagnosis and properly clean your ventilation system. They will also be able to make recommendations for reducing the levels of dust and particles in your ducts. You can then enjoy healthy air all winter long.