When you call in the professionals for air duct cleaning, you might assume that all you need to do is pay them and relax—but that couldn’t be further from the truth! To ensure a successful and thorough air duct cleaning, there are several steps you should take to get your house ready.
Clear the Path
Ensure that all furniture, rugs, and other items obstructing access to the air ducts are moved out of the way. If these are too large to move, cover them with drop cloths. This will help the cleaners access all of the air ducts and keep your furniture clean.
You should also remove any fragile items that could be damaged by the equipment used for air duct cleaning. These include paintings, knick-knacks, books, and other items.
Cover Vents and Registers
To keep dust from spreading throughout your house, you should cover all the vents and registers with plastic sheeting. You can also use painter’s tape to secure the sheeting. For an extra layer of protection, close any doors and windows in rooms where the air duct cleaning will occur.
Turn Off Fans
If you have ceiling fans, bathroom exhausts, or other ventilation systems, turn these off before the cleaners arrive. This will prevent dust and debris from being pulled through the air ducts and into other parts of the house.
Other appliances in your home, like the furnace and air conditioner, should be shut off too. This will help prevent any damage to these systems during the cleaning process.
Vacuum Any Loose Debris
If the air ducts are easily accessible, use a vacuum to suck up any loose debris that is lying around. This will help the cleaners to do a more thorough job, and it will also reduce the amount of dust that gets into the air during the cleaning process. However, if the air ducts are not easily accessible, it might be a good idea to let the professionals do this step for you.
Move Your Pets
There will be a lot of noise and movement during air duct cleaning. This isn’t ideal for your pets, so moving them to another room while the cleaners are working is a good idea. This will help keep your pets safe and comfortable and keep them out of the way of the cleaners. Also, pets shed fur and dander, so keeping them away from the air ducts while being cleaned is best.
Wear a Mask
To protect yourself from breathing in any of this, wear a dust mask while the cleaners work. This will help to reduce your exposure to any airborne particles that might be released during the cleaning process.
Sanitize Surfaces
Before the cleaners arrive, it’s also a good idea to sanitize any surfaces that might be exposed during the cleaning process. This includes countertops, tables, chairs, and other furniture that could come into contact with dust or debris. This reduces the amount of dust that gets airborne, and it will also help to keep your home clean.
You should also sanitize the surfaces after the cleaners are finished. Sanitizing surfaces at the beginning and the end of the cleaning process ensures that your home is as clean as possible.
Designate a Cleaning Area
To keep the rest of your house clean, designate an area for the cleaners to work. This could be a garage or other area of your home separate from the living areas. This area should be well-ventilated and free from any furniture or other items that the cleaning process could damage. You should also ask them if they can set up a temporary barrier to prevent dust from making its way into the rest of the house.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your air duct cleaning will go as smoothly as possible. Working with a professional HVAC company like Northwest HVAC Heating & Cooling will help to guarantee that your air ducts are thoroughly cleaned. We can also help you with furnace installation and repair, heat pump installation and repair, air purifier installation, and ductwork in Vancouver, Washington and the surrounding areas. Contact Northwest HVAC Heating & Cooling today to learn more about our services and to schedule an appointment.
