Cleaning AC Ducts - Can You Do It Yourself?

If you've noticed stale air, a musty smell, or excess dust in your home, you may be wondering how to clean air ducts yourself. But despite what you may have read online, a DIY air duct cleaning is something you should never try yourself! Cleaning AC ducts properly is a tricky business, and the air duct cleaning process is neither safe nor easy for the average homeowner. There are many reasons for this, so let's examine each one in more detail. 

Household Equipment and Materials are Insufficient  

One of the biggest reasons why you shouldn't clean your air ducts yourself is because you probably don't have the right equipment and materials. Dust, dirt, mould, and other allergens can build up in your ducts over time, and they can be difficult to remove without the right tools. Even if you're able to remove some of the dust with a shop vac or other things you have on hand, there's a good chance you'll miss some. If you don’t clean thoroughly, you’ll just need to do it again sooner than you’d like. How often to clean air ducts depends on several factors, including where you live, whether you smoke or have pets, how often you run your system, and how long it’s been since your last cleaning. By trying to clean your air ducts yourself, you may end up spending way too much time and effort trying to accomplish a job the pros can do correctly and efficiently. 

Related Topic: Stale Air? Here’s What to Do 

OK to DIY Remove and Clean Vent Covers 

One air duct cleaning DIY project that you can easily and safely do yourself is to remove and clean your vent covers. Over time, these can get just as dusty and dirty as the ducts themselves, so it's a good idea to give them a thorough cleaning every few months. Just make sure to turn off your AC unit before you remove the vent covers and be careful to secure the covers properly when you replace them.  

Health Dangers of Cleaning Inside Ducts 

Another reason why you shouldn't try to clean your own ducts is because it can be dangerous to your health. There's more than just dust and dirt in those ducts - and some of it may be harmful. Bugs, rodent droppings, mould, and germs can collect in your air ducts, all of which can cause serious health problems. If you're not careful, you could easily inhale some of these dangerous particles, which could make you sick. 

When the professionals clean your air ducts, they use proper safety equipment to protect you and themselves from these hazards. They also have the experience and training necessary to safely and effectively clean your ducts, so, you can rest assured that the job will be done right. 

Related Topic: What’s the Ideal Indoor Air Temperature? Your Questions Answered 

Not as Easy as It Seems 

Maybe you've read articles that claim it's easy to clean your own air ducts - and there are plenty of them out there. But what these articles don't tell you is that cleaning your ductwork is not as easy as it seems. It's a time-consuming, dirty, and difficult job, even for professionals. Plus, your air ducts extend into hard-to-reach places of your home, which you will not be able to get to without the proper equipment. Trying to shove things deep inside your ducts to clean them out is a terrible approach since there's a high chance you'll not only fail to clean your ducts properly but may also damage them as well. You may also need to climb up high or use ladders to get to every spot, and there may be exposed edges on metal ductwork. All of this greatly increases your risk of injuring yourself. 

Hire a Professional Instead  

Now that you know why you shouldn't try to clean your air ducts yourself, it's time to hire a professional. A professional duct cleaning company, like your local Aire Serv team, has the experience, training, and equipment necessary to clean your ductwork quickly and effectively. To learn more call or schedule an appointment, online today!