Air duct cleaning services have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with companies offering commercial and residential ductwork cleaning mushrooming left and right. Many of you might be wondering if these residential ductwork cleaning services are worth it, or if they’re a waste of money, or worse a scam.

What Does a Duct Cleaning Service Offer?
Duct cleaning companies use specialized cleaning equipment ranging from high-power blowers and vacuum cleaners, to a simple air duct cleaning tool to clean the different types of residential ductwork running through your home. Duct cleaning also involves thorough maintenance of the HVAC system itself, including the motors, fans, air handler, and more.

When done properly, cleaning of plastic ductwork can be a great help to maintaining high quality air in your home. Residential ductwork cleaning is especially important in these situations:

Renovations – If your home has just been remodeled or undergone some kind of major repair that involves removal of asbestos, lead paint, or significant amounts of dust, it pays to have your ducts cleaned by a professional.

Pest Problems – If there are signs of animals making nests in your residential ductwork system and air ducts, you’ll need to have them cleaned by a professional after removal of the animals. A simple air duct cleaning tool can be enough for the job.

Mold and Mildew – If you see mold and mildew growing on your plastic ductwork, they need to be cleaned ASAP with a air duct cleaning tool.

Debris and Contaminants – If you notice your air ducts releasing noticeable amounts of pet hair, dust, smells, debris, and other contaminants into the room, it’s probably a good time to have them cleaned right away.

These examples are good signs that your plastic ductwork is in need of thorough cleaning. Note that some companies will try to entice you clean your air ducts more than you should. The truth is that most plastic ductwork systems are pretty good at keeping air clean, and cleaning your air ducts more than once a year doesn’t provide any noticeable benefits.

Choosing an Air Duct Cleaning Company
1. Look Up the Background and Experience of a Company
Ask a prospective duct cleaning company how long they’ve been in business to gauge their level of experience and expertise in cleaning air ducts. You don’t want to rule out new companies either, as the people working for them can have extensive experience in their previous jobs.

You can also ask a duct cleaning company for referrals from previous clients, whom you can call to see if they were satisfied with the level of service they received. You can also inquire about duct cleaning companies from your friends, neighbors, and other homeowners—be sure to ask for honest opinions.

Of course, there’s always the option of going online to check the websites of air duct cleaning companies in your area. You can also look for reviews on sites like Yelp and online discussion boards.

A reliable duct cleaning company should be in good standing with the local community, facing little complaints with local organizations in your state, province, or city.

It’s also a good idea to call the Council of Better Business Bureaus in Canada at 514-905-3893.

2. Look for Insurance
A reliable air duct cleaning company should have insurance. Under no circumstance should you hire the services of a company that doesn’t have it, as this places you in a dangerous position that may make you liable for any damage or injury that happens to workers while on the job.

Be sure to talk to air duct cleaning companies about their insurance policy; ask if they will reimburse the damages to your property during the cleaning process.

3. Ask about Treatment Methods
Ask an air duct cleaning company if they are going to use chemical treatments or chemical bio-acids when cleaning your home’s ductwork. Although these treatments are effective in preventing the growth of biological matter in your ducts, they can also have adverse effects on your health.

Should you decide to hire the services of an air duct cleaning company that uses these treatments, it’s a good idea to ask which products they use—you can then do independent research on the efficacy and potential dangers of these products.

4. Make Comparisons Between Services
Before choosing any air duct cleaning company, be sure to make a thorough comparison of each one’s services and rates. Air duct cleaners must also inspect your ducting before offering any estimate or quote of their cleaning service. Your air duct system may require the use of specialized cleaning equipment and procedures to resolve.

Reliable air duct cleaning companies will also take specific measures to ensure that everyone in your home, pets included, is protected from contamination by the chemical treatments used to clean your ducts. Likewise, the company should also cover and protect your floors, carpet, furniture, and other belongings inside the home.

These are just some of the things to bear in mind when thinking about air duct cleaning and hiring a an air duct cleaning company. Remember to do your homework to make an informed decision on the work needed for your home.