DIY vs. Professional Air Duct Cleaning: What You Should Know

Indoor air quality is important to homeowners, and they may know that a key part of maintaining good indoor air quality has to do with regular duct cleaning. At the same time, homeowners may not feel that it is necessary to hire a professional team to handle this task. They may want to tackle it themselves with the belief that it’s a simple job. Here we will lay out the pros and cons of both a DIY and professional approach and let you know what to expect. 

If, after reading this article, you feel that you’d rather entrust the cleanliness of your home’s ductwork to an experienced professional, please contact the Scrubber Ducts team–we’ll get you taken care of.

What Is Duct Cleaning?

Let’s get started by defining what this service entails. Air duct cleaning for Cleveland residences and businesses involves the removal of dust and contaminants within the ductwork of your home. That involves a thorough deep cleaning of every aspect of your home’s HVAC system, from easily accessible registers to the darkest, deepest corners of your ductwork. Dust, buildup, mold, mildew, remains of animal or insect infestation, allergens and other contaminants are completely removed. The dirt and dust are broken up using high-powered rotary brushes and then conveyed outside of your home via high-powered vacuums, attached to fine mesh filters. The dirt gets trapped and removed from the premises without disturbing your home, your property, or your neighbors. A thorough HVAC cleaning also includes cleaning all parts of the system–air ducts, registers, grilles, and coils.

DIY Duct Cleaning Pros and Cons

Depending on the size of your home and scope of your HVAC ductwork, a DIY approach to duct cleaning could be quite daunting. It can also be next to impossible to reach the internal parts of the ductwork without specialized equipment. If you encounter mold, mildew, or insects and pests, the process can be very difficult and disgusting. If anyone in your household suffers from respiratory issues, it is also possible that stirring up all the dust and allergens trapped inside the ductwork could bring them into living spaces, triggering a health episode.

Without a specialized vacuum that efficiently traps and removes debris outside of the home, it is hard to prevent the dirt from entering your home and creating additional cleaning projects out of thin air. And if you are exposed to harmful contaminants in the process, you may be left dealing with respiratory irritation or worse. Truth be told, a DIY approach to vent cleaning will always leave some dust and dirt behind, due to lack of reach and subpar tools and equipment. The best intentions will inevitably fall flat. 

The only clear pro here would be cost though what seems more affordable up front can turn out to be just as expensive down the road, due to worsening health issues, additional time-consuming cleaning projects, and more. Duct cleaners are also often duct installers or have professional experience working with ducts. This gives them valuable knowledge about the best ways to handle them without damage. On the other hand, homeowners not familiar with handling ductwork might accidentally cause damage by being too aggressive, leading to punctures, leaks, loose connections, and costly repairs. And DIY maintenance can also sometimes compromise manufacturer warranties. Oftentimes, doing it yourself can feel like a win initially, but it can lead to a world of trouble down the road. 

You’ll find that typical household cleaning equipment just doesn’t have the power and precision needed to remove built up dust, debris, and allergens that accumulate within air ducts. Even if rentals are available, that will run you a decent fee, and remember that even these commercial rental units won’t be as high-powered as the industrial-grade equipment used by professionals. In the end, after expending plenty of effort, time, and potentially money, you may just opt to have the service done professionally anyway.

Professional Duct Cleaning Pros and Cons

Let’s first take a look at what the professional team at Scrubber Ducts offers to clients as part of our HVAC Duct Cleaning service. Here’s our process:

• Inspection: technicians inspect the HVAC system to evaluate the level of buildup and to spot specific issues
• Preparation: the home and HVAC components get protective coverings, along with any additional precautions needed
• Cleaning: high-powered vacuums and rotary brushes are used to remove dust, debris, and other contaminants
• Sanitization: eco-friendly sanitizers kill bacteria and mold
• Final Check: final inspection to make sure everything is spotless and working efficiently

We clean all the parts of your HVAC system, including air ducts, registers, grilles, and coils. Our specialized equipment allows us to reach every corner of your system, and your home remains untouched by all the dirt and grime we remove.

The clear pros to this approach are that it’s completely hands-off for homeowners. There is also no worry that the property will be damaged or dirtied–we are always extremely careful and respectful. Another undeniable perk is the thoroughness of the work. Our state-of-the-art filtration system captures countless potentially harmful contaminants and quickly removes them from your living spaces. No mess, no fuss. If we encounter mold or pests, we can sterilize the deep interior of the ductwork. And our camera system allows us to ensure that every square inch was thoroughly cleaned.

If there are any cons to a professional duct cleaning service, we’d expect it to be related to cost. However, we feel that the benefits of clean indoor air and the convenience of a mess-free, efficiency experience far outweigh the investment (our customers agree!). Besides, the average homeowner only needs to schedule this service once every few years–it’s easy to budget for in the meantime. Other potential downsides are that you will need to schedule an appointment, which may be difficult if you live a very busy life. It is also possible to be taken in by scam artists, unfortunately. 

At Scrubber Ducts, we prioritize customer service and convenience and aim to work with you to find the ideal time and day to schedule an HVAC duct cleaning. We also operate under National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) standards, meaning that you can trust our duct cleaning services to be of the highest quality. We’ve been at this a while and have roots in the local community, so we will be here for follow-up questions and concerns.

If you notice the following signs, it’s clear that your ductwork needs a thorough clean that can only be achieved by a professional service: 

• visible mold, mildew, or musty smells
• recent remodeling, flood, water leak, or pest infestation
• last cleaning was 3+ years ago
• uneven or weak airflow
• sneezing and/or coughing when the HVAC is on

Professional Duct Cleaning Services from Scrubber Ducts

Whether you’re a DIY all star or you love leaving detailed work to the pros, there are serious reasons why air duct cleaning is not for the casual weekend warrior. This professional service is essential to ensure indoor air quality and preserve your family’s health and well-being. It also makes sure that maintenance is being done by skilled professionals who know how to safely and carefully handle sensitive components using powerful equipment.

You truly won’t get a better clean than what you can expect from a professional air duct cleaning from Scrubber Ducts. We’re happy to offer state-of-the-art air duct cleaning services, along with kitchen venting installation, furnace and A/C installation or replacement, and dryer vent cleaning. Contact us today to learn more about our services and to schedule an appointment.