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Published on: 7/31/2002
Last Visited: 7/31/2002
Despite what people think, a new home needs duct cleaning, says Terry Donohue, president of the duct-cleaning company PowerVac.Because the ductwork is installed early in construction, remnants from drywall sanding, wood cutting and ceramic tile fall into it.
"You've got this nice new home and you turn on your fan and dirt blows all over your new drapes and furniture," he says."Beer bottles, pop cans, lunch scraps and pieces of drywall are the typical things you will find down there in a new home."Mr. Donohue praises a few builders, including Monarch Homes and Daniels Group, for hiring duct cleaners before closing on their homes, but it is not standard practice with most builders.
While companies offering duct cleaning services are plentiful, Mr. Donohue urges homeowners to hire with caution.There are true professionals that offer a valuable service, and there are many companies that do not have adequate equipment or training to do a proper job.He recommends choosing a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners' Association (NADCA), a 600-member U.S.-based organization with an Ontario chapter.Mr. Donohue sits on its board of directors.
Members must achieve 75% or more on a written certification test that includes questions pertaining to health and safety, abide by a code of ethics, be trained according to NADCA standards, and take courses annually.It's Web site, www.nadca.com, offers hiring tips and other information.
A thorough duct cleaning costs $200 to $350 and takes two to four hours, says Mr. Donohue.
Mr. Jobber warns against cleaners advertising bargain-basement prices."Our industry seems to be full of people who don't do great work.It has developed a bad reputation.At Ontario Duct Cleaning we charge a fair bit and we are proud of it.To run a successful business, that costs money."
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The best way to check a duct cleaning job is to take the covers off the vents and look down as far as you can, says Mr. Donohue.There should be no pennies, nails, bubblegum wrappers or dust.Use a flashlight and a mirror to see around the corner of the ductwork.Any reputable company is happy to let the homeowner take a peek in the plenum before and after the cleaning, he says.
Some companies have robots that travel the plenum and send a picture to a small screen so you can see the filth before the cleaning and the shiny ducts afterward.
Mr. Donohue recommends cleaning ducts once every three years."Most housewives don't want half an inch of dust lying around their house, so why have it in your ducts?"he asks."The incidence of respiratory disease is increasing rapidly in North America.
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