Can DIY Duct Cleaning Cause Damage?

Doing things yourself is a great way to save a little money and complete tasks sooner without waiting for a professional. However, the downside is that you may cause damage to vital systems, like your ductwork.

Duct cleaning is a household duty that should be performed every 2 to 3 years to remove any pollutants that could have been living inside your ducts since that last cleaning years ago.

Without proper duct cleaning, you may run into the following issues:

• An HVAC system that requires constant repairs
• Continually dirty air filters that need to be replaced often
• Shorter HVAC system lifespan
• Faster spread of dirt, dust, and other pollutants
• Serious and long-term health issues

The problems above could be consequences of improper DIY duct cleaning or an inexperienced person performing duct system cleaning. Aire Serv of Wilmington is here to help you avoid potential ductwork damage and injury when cleaning ducts yourself.

Ways Improper Duct Cleaning Damages Ductwork

A professional duct specialist understands that ductwork is vital to fresh air circulation, your home’s comfort, and your loved ones’ overall safety. So, performing duct cleaning should be done delicately, or you could run into the following air duct cleaning problems.

Changes in Air Pressure from a Vacuum

Believe it or not, there’s no one-size-fits-all to duct cleaning. A vacuum isn’t required to thoroughly clean ductwork, though it can make the process faster. Unfortunately, it can also cause air pressure changes that warp duct material. Flex ducts should never be cleaned with a vacuum, as the material’s pliability could lead to dents and dings.

Flex ducts are made of a spring wrapped with a thin layer of plastic. This layer of plastic is already very fragile and only grows more fragile over time. Utilizing a vacuum to clean flex ducts could end in major damage that one of our Wilmington HVAC service professionals would have to address.

Cracks in Plastic Lining

Most ducts, once they’re installed, are rarely moved. This means that you could have ducts that are decades old and could have existing damage from old age. Many air ducts have a plastic or fiberglass liner that helps fortify the system. Still, the lining can deteriorate over time, causing air leaks and inefficiencies. This is only aggravated by using abrasive cleaning tools inside your ducts. Before using a vacuum or a brush for duct cleaning, consider whether it’s safe to clean these old air ducts yourself. For delicate jobs involving older air ducts, you may want to hire a professional to do the job for you or repair damage before you complete DIY duct cleaning.

Mold Spores Could Disperse

Not only can improper DIY duct cleaning be unsafe and cause damage, but it can also adversely affect the rest of your home. Air ducts are responsible for circulating air throughout your home, whether the air carries dirt, dust, or mold spores. At-home ductwork disinfecting could jumpstart the spread of mold spores in your indoor air. Before cleaning ducts, you should know what you’re getting into and inspect the system to ensure cleaning doesn’t disturb the existing mold, causing it to spread.

And if you do find mold in your ducts, you should have it professionally remediated before doing anything else.

Ways to Avoid Damage with Duct Cleaning

While DIY duct cleaning can be cost-effective, it may leave you with more issues than you thought possible. As HVAC service professionals serving Wilmington, Claymont, Hockessin, Montchanin, Rockland, and Yorkland, we recommend some of the following tips to avoid potential air duct cleaning problems.

Be Extremely Gentle

Always be gentle while cleaning, regardless of your tools or equipment. We suggest using soft bristle brushes and vacuums with various settings. Additionally, find out how old your air ducts are and the material they’re made of, so you know to proceed without concern.

Take Your Time

Ductwork cleaning can feel extremely tedious when you’re completing it alone. However, it’s worth taking your time to get the job done correctly, eliminate issues, or avoid exacerbating existing damage. You could enlarge cracks, warp the material, or weaken connections if you move too quickly through your duct system.

Hire a Professional

Hiring a heating and cooling professional who also understands duct cleaning is a surefire way to prevent air duct cleaning problems. Our Wilmington experts are skilled in detailed duct inspections, adept at communicating findings, and courteous throughout the entire process.

Aire Serv of Wilmington Cleans Your Ducts Easily and Effectively

Before you start DIY duct cleaning, consider having our heating and cooling professionals do the work for you! We’re ready to tackle even the dirtiest ductwork to help you breathe easier, improve indoor air quality, and make your home the comfy sanctuary it was meant to be.

Call us for more information about our HVAC support for residents in and around Claymont, Hockessin, Montchanin, Rockland, and Yorkland.