Frequently Asked Questions

What is Air Duct Cleaning?
It is a well-known fact, that ventilation systems are installed in buildings in order to ventilate the rooms. The system is designed to supply or extract a certain amount of air to the rooms. Even with filters fitted to the system, it cannot be ensured that some contaminants will come into the system. Contaminants are accumulated throughout the years, and can after several years build to a substantial amount. The consequence is that the system may not work as designed. If the system, besides transportation of fresh air, also serves to heat/cool the rooms, it might become difficult to regulate. The accumulated dust creates a basis for bacteria and fungi. These might, within time, free themselves from the duct, and be transported into the ventilated rooms. Blocked or heavily contaminated filters also create a basis for bacteria and fungi. The traces will over the time grow through and release on the other side of the filter. In this way they can reach the ventilated rooms. This might cause illnesses for the occupants working in the rooms. The illnesses will show as mucous membrane inflammation, migraine, tiredness, depression etc. Poor indoor air quality does not only come from the ventilation system, but it definitely contributes to a large extent. Ventilation systems do not only exist as comfort ventilation in offices, but are also used in the industry as suction for gases, smoke and dust. These plants are often very contaminated. Many of these plants have no direct influence on the indoor air quality due to the fact that they act as extracts. However the ducts can get blocked, and hereby cause a poor suction from the rooms. A dirty ventilation duct creates a fire danger. Dust burns very easily, and with suction in the duct system, the fire can spread out to other parts of the building rapidly. For all of the above and many more reasons, there is reason enough to clean the duct system regularly.

Why is it important to clean my air ducts?
The EPA says if not properly installed, maintained, and operated, components of forced air systems may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. When moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth, mold, increases and spores from such growth may be released into the home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them.

How often should we clean our air ducts?
This question is asked allot and the answer is never the same. There is allot of reasons to get your air ducts cleaned, but everything really depends on the family and their living conditions. The average call back we receive here at Duct Masters is anywhere between 3-5 years. Most people get them cleaned every two years when someone in the house is subjected to some of the following.... pet hair, breathing issues, allergies or carpet.

How long will it take to clean the air ducts in my home?
Once again a direct answer can't be given, factors like your last duct cleaning, last company, size of home, amount of dirt, etc. However the average home with average amount of dirt takes roughly 2-3 hours.

Will there be a mess in my home afterwards?
Duct Masters takes every step possible in controlling the dust evacuation. The vacuum is not placed in your home; everything is outside in the truck. There will be no mess! If for any reason there may be a slight chance with air duct leaks or certain conditions out of our control you will be advised prior to cleaning.

Do you have insurance?
Duct Masters is fully insured for your home and our employees.

What could possibly be in my air ducts?
What could be in your air ducts are the same things that are in your vacuum cleaner bag. Picture a full vacuum cleaner bag. This bag may contain any or all of the following debris: carpet fibers, skin scale and hair, dust mites and their feces, food crumbs, pet food and cat litter, mold and mildew, drywall dust and new construction debris, insect and rodent excrements and remains, bacteria and viruses, pet hair and dander. Now picture 2-4 grocery bags full of this same material. This is an accurate picture of how much debris we vacuum out of an average size home’s air duct system. Dust and dirt continually accumulate on the inside surfaces of your ductwork. This environment provides the nutrients for mold, bacteria, allergens and fungi to reproduce and grow. Every time your system’s fan goes on, it forces this contaminated mixture into the air you breathe.

Can air duct cleaning be detrimental?
The EPA claims that no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental, provided that it is done properly. One may consider having their air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time, and should occasionally be cleaned

What happens if I use a duct cleaner who is not qualified?
If a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning procedures, duct cleaning can cause indoor air problems. For example, an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more dust, dirt, and other contaminants than if you had left the ducts alone. A careless or inadequately trained service provider can also damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements.

When should I consider having my air ducts cleaned?
There are several "checks" one can undertake to determine whether air duct cleaning is needed:

• Presence of mold growth inside sheet metal ducts or on other components of the heating and cooling system. Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects)
• Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.
• House has been renovated.
• You have just taken ownership of a new house owned by someone else.

What can I expect to pay for air duct cleaning service?
Many companies have begun marketing products and services for use in the home to improve the quality of the indoor air. Duct cleaning is one such service. The EPA says that these services typically -- but not always -- range in cost from $300 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climatic region, and level of contamination.

Is it really worth the money?
Our customers think so. Your entire family will breath easier even more so if someone has asthma, allergies, or other respiratory ailments. You’ll dust less often. Your furnace will operate at its peak efficiency.

Does your duct cleaning price include cleaning the furnace?
No duct cleaning price is strictly for duct cleaning , if you should require us to clean your furnace an extra charge will occur.

Is your work guaranteed?
If your not completely satisfied Duct Masters will re-service until your 100% satisfied! Duct Masters is an 80% referral based business and take high pride in referrals and customer’s satisfaction.

What is the difference between vent cleaning and air duct cleaning?
There are some companies that characterize themselves as air duct cleaners, yet the services they provide are limited to "vent cleaning." Rather than use compressed air and air agitators to clean the return and supply duct lines, in conjunction with cleaning inside the air vents, these companies will simply remove the grills/vents and clean inside the vents with a basic vacuum.

This is an improper way to clean ducts and is not mandated by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. Without targeting the dirt/dust/debris that has built up on the walls of the return and supply duct lines with compressed air, the duct system is not truly clean.

* For more information on having the air ducts in your home cleaned, please go to the EPA website