Air ducts are one of the most important parts of a business’s HVAC system. They cycle air all over your facility, and help create a safe environment for everyone in your building. With how important an air duct’s job is, the maintenance requirements they carry are equally important. However, there are many bad practices that are used to care for commercial air duct systems, and they only make problems worse. Here are some of the common mistakes in commercial duct cleaning.
Not Using Negative Pressure Or Contained Vacuums
One of the biggest mistakes in duct cleaning is failing to use negative pressure or professional-grade vacuums. Without containment and the right equipment, dirt and debris don’t get removed, but rather just get pushed further back into the system. In some cases, contaminants can even get blown directly into occupied spaces. Instead of solving the problem, this simply redistributes dust and allergens throughout the building and can cause complaints about air quality almost immediately.
Hiring Uncertified Contractors Or DIYing Duct Cleaning
Duct cleaning requires specialized training and the proper equipment to make sure the job is done right. If an inexperienced contractor or a facility manager who does not have experience in the HVAC field tries to perform duct cleaning, they can miss critical steps that only make the problems larger, or even worse, put themselves at a safety risk. The best way to make sure that your ducts have the proper care they need is to get professional duct cleaning service from a NADAC-licensed HVAC professional.
Failing To Maintain Cleaning Equipment
Another mistake made by duct cleaning providers is not cleaning or maintaining their own equipment. If the vacuums and other cleaning tools are not cleaned properly, they can actually introduce new contaminants into your ductwork. Properly maintained equipment is just as important as the method being used, and skipping this step puts your system and the people inside the building at risk.
Using Improper Filters
Effective duct cleaning relies on the right filtration. When the wrong filters are used, dust and particles can be sucked out of the ductwork and then released back into the air system, making the filtration system pointless and ineffective. This mistake can be solved by double-checking materials and making sure that only the proper filtration equipment is used.
Forgetting To Clean The Entire HVAC System
Another common duct cleaning mistake is when maintenance personnel clean the air ducts but do not do any work on the rest of the system. When this happens, the freshly cleaned ducts get re-contaminated as soon as air starts moving through the dirty handler. A complete duct cleaning should always include the air handler to ensure the entire system is addressed.
Damaging Insulated Ductwork
Some duct systems include internal insulation. If a contractor cleans these areas improperly, abrasions can occur on the insulation surface. When this insulation isn’t sealed correctly, fiberglass particles can be released downstream, blowing directly into the occupied space. Fiberglass is a serious irritant and can impact the health and comfort of building occupants. Proper care and sealing of insulated ductwork is essential during cleaning to make sure the job is done right and to ensure the safety of everyone in the building.
Contact PROAC For Experienced Industrial Duct Cleaning
When you need an HVAC maintenance team that has over 150+ years of experience and has the resources to get the job done and avoid mistakes like these, contact the PROAC Corp. We are NADAC-certified, and have helped numerous businesses across a variety of industries take care of their facility and their people. Our team can assist your business with duct cleaning, cooling tower maintenance, air quality testing, and overall facility management. Speak with our team and get a free quote today.