Can Air Duct Cleaning Cause Damage?

4 min read

There has been a lot of debate in recent years about the supposed dangers of air duct cleaning. Many HVAC companies even vocally discourage clients from getting their ductwork cleaned. So, can air duct cleaning cause damage instead of improving indoor air quality? Read on to learn more.

Is Air Duct Cleaning Necessary?

The short answer is yes. Air ducts need regular cleaning to ensure dirt, allergens, and mold spores don’t accumulate inside the ductwork. A recurring appointment with a professional air duct cleaner also helps you monitor your ductwork’s condition. They will know if there are problems like small tears in the insulation or misaligned tubing, and you’ll have the chance to do preventative maintenance.

With regular cleaning, homeowners can enjoy many benefits:

• The HVAC system will become more efficient. Air is faster to cool or heat after cleaning because there’s no dust blocking the heating and cooling mechanisms.
• The HVAC system will consume less power and energy, lowering your electricity bills.
• Thanks to the HVAC system’s improved efficiency, the indoor air temperature will fluctuate less, reducing the likelihood of moisture forming inside the ductwork and promoting mold growth.
• The indoor air quality will improve with dirt and other impurities gone from the ducts and vents.
• The risk of people experiencing allergic reactions will be low.
• Maintenance checks are typically part of air duct cleaning, so scheduling a regular cleaning will help ensure your HVAC system is in good condition.

In light of these benefits, one would expect that people won’t think to ask, is air duct cleaning necessary? But to be fair, some exceptions do make air duct cleaning risky.

When Is Air Duct Cleaning Not a Good Idea?

Below are situations that merit asking, “Can air duct cleaning cause damage?”

1. The Air Ducts are Old and Damaged: Aged air ducts that have become fragile are prone to more damage when cleaned. HVAC cleaning companies often use vacuums or brushes to remove visible dirt inside the ductwork. Unfortunately, both methods can be rough on old air ducts.

When cleaning with a vacuum, technicians release pressurized air from one end of the ductwork while a suction system collects the particulates from the other. Brushing applies direct force and friction on the inner walls of the ductwork, which can widen existing cracks or tears. So, when dealing with an old HVAC duct system, it may be more cost-effective to install a new air duct system instead of cleaning an old, fragile one.

2. The HVAC Components are Old: Just as fragile ductwork can give way with aggressive cleaning methods, old HVAC components can also get damaged if cleaning professionals aren’t aware of their condition. If parts like the blower motor or heat exchanger are damaged, you’ll have a bigger and more expensive problem.

3. Some Parts of the Air Ducts Have Mold: Considering the vacuum cleaning method, it would be a bad idea if there’s mold in just one area of the duct system. The pressurized air will spread the mold spores further through the ductwork, and some will inevitably exit the vents around the house. In this situation, air duct cleaning will do more damage than good.

These situations are the exceptions to safe air duct cleaning. Regular cleaning benefits homeowners and building occupants, but not under certain circumstances.

Air Duct Cleaning Is Beneficial if Done Correctly

If you are still wondering, “Can air duct cleaning cause damage to my property,” here’s our answer: yes, but only if done incorrectly or by people without sufficient knowledge about air duct cleaning.

Hiring professionals with lots of experience cleaning HVAC ductwork is your best option. Professionals have an SOP developed through years of cleaning air ducts. They make assessments before starting anything to ensure they don’t accidentally damage your ductwork. If they find issues like mold and sections of ductwork that are about to give way, they strategize to prevent the problems from escalating. They can also propose alternatives so you’ll have clean and functional air ducts at the end of the day.

Contact Restoration 1 of East Hartford and schedule a visit to assess your air duct cleaning needs.