Duct cleaning has always been considered an essential maintenance procedure. It is vital to dry out any filth accumulated in your air ducts to prevent allergies and illness. Unfortunately, there are many companies in the air duct cleaning industry that have gouged consumers with low priced and unrealistic services. Companies that advertise cheap prices may not be reputable, and those that advertise free services should be avoided. Duct cleaning professionals who attempt to charge for their services without first having established a budget will not be around long. Following are some ways to find a reputable air duct cleaning service:
– Check the air duct cleaning services work history. Find out how long they have been in business. Companies that have been around for years are often more reliable and trustworthy. Negative customer reviews can indicate shady businesses, so if you see one, try to avoid dealing with it.
– Check for air duct cleaning certification. Most companies that offer cleaning services also certify to show that they understand and complete the air duct cleaning requirements outlined by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). The air ducts must be cleaned according to federal and state regulations. Do your homework before you hire a company. Find out if the company is certified. You can also request that your air conditioning unit or furnace be checked for dust or other particles.
– Ask if air duct cleaning will be required. Depending on the size of the building, you may not need to have your ducts cleaned on a regular basis. In addition, if your heating and cooling unit are located indoors, you may not need to have the ductwork cleaned at all.
– Ask for a cost estimate. Find out what the total cost will be for your HVAC unit and ductwork. Many companies give cost estimates before you get started, but make sure they include both parts and labour. If there are certain materials that will require a little more work, like insulation, be sure to let the contractor know this up front. If you aren’t told the total cost up front, it’s likely you’ll end up with more of an overall estimate that doesn’t include all the fine details.
– Be very particular about breathing in any fumes or contaminants during air duct cleaning. It’s important to remember that your breathing in these contaminants will help cause serious problems with your indoor air quality. For instance, mold loves moisture, so any moisture inside your home means mold is growing inside your home. That’s why mold remediation is such an important job. Many different air pollutants pose serious threats to your health, so be very wary. Your family’s well being comes first, so take care of that first.
– Examine any certificates that the air duct cleaning technicians provide you with after the job is complete. These certifications should list every type of air duct cleaning machine used, as well as the safety and other regulations that were met. These regulations can vary from state to state, so it’s important to make sure everything was done according to local standards. Ask the technicians if they would also offer an inspection guarantee. You don’t want to have to pay for another inspection just because the first one failed to live up to your expectations.
A professional company will provide a detailed inspection, test report, and come back to your home with a detailed report on the work they performed. During this visit, the technician will be able to give you a visual picture of how your heating and cooling system look. He will also review the air duct cleaning and air flow testing reports that you have given him. If there is something you didn’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s your home and your health we’re trying to protect, so don’t hesitate to ask for clarification when you’re searching for air duct cleaning professionals.
