How To Remove Outside Dust From Ducting?

  1. Use a brush to tap around the sides of the ductwork and loosen any dust attached to the walls.

  2. Vacuum the ducts using the nozzle and brush attachments on your vacuum hose.

  3. Turn off the HVAC system at the thermostat or shut off the circuit breaker to prevent loose dirt and debris from being blown into the home.

  4. Turn off the system by turning it off at the thermostat or by using a rodent or insect infestation tool.

  5. If you suspect mold growth, rodent or insect infestation, or dust making its way into your home through your air ducts, or if you’re worried about consistent airflow room to room, follow these steps:

  6. Use a screwdriver to remove the vent covers with your brush attachment.

  7. Clean the supply grilles with warm water, mild detergent, and a soft brush in the kitchen sink.

Professional ductwork cleaning typically involves using powerful vacuums that are designed to remove all unwanted dirt, dust, and debris.

  1. Turn off the power, remove and clean covers, use a drill with a brush attachment, vacuum with a HEPA filter, and repeat the process.
  2. Use a brush to loosen any buildup of dust in the ductwork.
  3. Lift the register and insert the vacuum hose as far into the piping as it can go.
  4. Clean the supply grilles with warm water, mild detergent, and a soft brush in the kitchen sink.
  5. Set your thermostat to the desired temperature.

In conclusion, cleaning air ducts is a simple and effective process that requires a thorough inspection, professional cleaning tools, and proper cleaning techniques. By following these steps, you can ensure that your home’s air ducts remain clean and comfortable for you and your family.


📹 How Decades Worth Of Dust is Deep-Cleaned From Air Ducts | Deep Cleaned | Insider

Kura Home is a home maintenance and air-duct cleaning business in Plymouth, Minnesota. Depending on who and what lives in …


How do you clean dust out of ducts?

  1. Remove vent covers and wash them with a screwdriver or hand-rinse. Cover vent openings with paper towels to prevent dust from blowing out and landing on walls and floor. Replace covers after cleaning each time.

  2. Set your thermostat to “FAN ON” and turn off both “COOL” and “HEAT” modes. This will loosen dust in the ducts and make cleaning easier.

  3. Loosen dust by tapping around the sides of the ductwork with a brush. Vacuum up dirt with the nozzle and brush attachments on the vacuum hose. If dust remains, wipe it down with a lightly damp lint-free cloth.

  4. Change your air filter to keep indoor air cleaner. Replace vent covers after washing them.

  5. Reset your thermostat setting by turning off the fan and turning either the COOL or HEAT setting back on. Repeat this process in the months between scheduled air duct cleaning services to improve home cleanliness and indoor air quality.

Ductwork cleaning is recommended as an annual professional maintenance supplemented by periodic DIY cleaning. Appointments are usually scheduled at the beginning of spring or fall. If you can’t remember the last time you had duct cleaning or haven’t had it before, call a professional for assistance.

Why are my air ducts so dusty?

The accumulation of dirt and dust in ducting over time is a consequence of imperfect air filters and the introduction of unfiltered air into return air ducting. This can also have an impact on blowers and coils.

Can dusty air ducts make you sick?
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Can dusty air ducts make you sick?

Dirty air ducts can lead to various health issues, including allergies, asthma, and respiratory infections. Over time, dust and allergens build up in the air ducts, causing respiratory problems like sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes. If you or someone in your family has asthma, dirty air ducts can trigger an asthma attack.

Clean air ducts improve indoor air quality and family health by improving indoor air quality, eliminating musty or unpleasant odors from vents, alleviating asthma and allergy symptoms, and making the home feel cleaner and more fresh. If you have been putting off having your air ducts cleaned, now is the time to call a professional.

To determine if your air ducts need cleaning, check for visible dirt or dust buildup on the outside of the vents and for musty or unpleasant odors coming from the vents, which are often signs of mold or mildew growth. By having your air ducts cleaned, you can ensure your health and the quality of your indoor air.

How to clean black dust around air vents?

To remove black dust around air vents, use a bleach solution and contact a professional air duct cleaner. They will safely remove the dust, which can cause allergic reactions and respiratory issues. The cleaner will use protective gear for efficient mold remediation, including proper disposal and spraying mold growth inhibitor products. To prevent mold growth, maintain low humidity levels in your home, either through a dehumidifier or air conditioner, or by using a meter to measure humidity levels.

What is the white powder outside my house?

Efflorescence is a powdery salt deposit on bricks and paving surfaces, typically white but can be yellow, green, or brown. It doesn’t affect the structural strength of clay bricks or pavers and can be seen in Roman buildings for over 2, 000 years. Temporary efflorescence is common on new brickwork and paving, as soluble salts dissolve and are transported by water. However, it doesn’t cause damage unless under-fired or soft-fired, in which case it can cause surface flaking.

What is the white dust coming from HVAC?
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What is the white dust coming from HVAC?

The text suggests that the issue may be related to the blower, evaporator coil, and heat exchanger. The blower may have dust on it, which requires an external source to identify. The evaporator coil may start oxidizing, creating a white powder. The heat exchanger, if a gas furnace is used, may have an oversized or improperly vented furnace, causing a white chalky residue on the heat exchanger.

The text acknowledges that the service provided was excellent and accurate, but acknowledges that it is not their fault that the issue cannot be addressed. The text also clarifies that canceling a question is not justified and does not prevent the user from being billed.

The text also mentions that a negative rating is not justified and does not prevent the user from being billed. The text also acknowledges that a good rating is appreciated and encourages the user to seek help in checking these items.

What are the drawbacks of duct cleaning?
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What are the drawbacks of duct cleaning?

Air duct cleaning is a process that removes dust, debris, and other contaminants from your home’s air ducts using a vacuum or brush system. It is not a permanent solution to ductwork problems, can be expensive, especially for large homes with multiple systems, and can be messy. However, it is a cost-effective solution for those looking to maintain their home’s air quality.

The pros of air duct cleaning include removing dust, debris, and other contaminants, which can be done by hiring a professional or doing it yourself. However, it is important to consider the potential cons and pros before making a decision. Some of the most notable pros include improved air quality, reduced energy consumption, and reduced odors.

Is it OK to never clean air ducts?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that air ducts be cleaned on a regular basis. However, the agency also advises that fuel-burning furnaces, stoves, and fireplaces be inspected and serviced before each heating season. This is done to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and to ensure that these appliances function properly.

What can I put in my vents to get rid of dust?

Dust issues can be addressed by adding a HEPA air filter to your HVAC system. This requires adjusting the system’s operational specs to accommodate a more tightly-woven HEPA filter. The filter requires a boost in airflow to move conditioned air, and without the right adjustments and selection, the system could become damaged. Properly selected and installed, dust and allergy problems can be eliminated. Consult your local HVAC professional for expert advice on addressing dust and allergy issues.

How do you clean outside air ducts?

Attach the vacuum extension hose to the shop vacuum and extend it into the ductwork as far as possible. Activate the vacuum and proceed to clean as the hose is drawn towards you, ensuring that the maximum extent of venting is covered.

What is the white powder on the outside of my ductwork?
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What is the white powder on the outside of my ductwork?

Mold in air ducts can be found in various forms, including Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucor, Stachybotrys, and Trichoderma. Acremonium forms over time and takes on a white powdery appearance, concentrating around moist or wet vents. Alternaria is velvet-like fabric and requires constant air duct water supply. Aspergillus can take on various colors and is often found around air duct leaks. Fusarium is found in air ducts damaged by water leaks or excess condensation, spreading outside and onto wall surfaces.

Mucor grows in air conditioning units and is extremely toxic and needs to be dealt with quickly. Stachybotrys is a black-colored mold that develops deep in air ducts and is known to rapidly spread with adequate moisture. Trichoderma, a gray, white, or greenish-colored mold, needs a steady water supply to take root in an air duct. Air conditioning units give this mold strain enough airborne moisture to spread rapidly.

To remove mold from air conditioner ducts, certified professionals like Tom’s Mechanical can identify the mold strain and work to remove it. They typically use HVAC systems to safely remove the mold from the ducts, preventing it from spreading further into the living space. In some cases, they can manually clean the mold using non-toxic and highly effective anti-mold treatments.


📹 EASY WAY to CLEAN a Dryer Vent FAST!

Cleaning your dryer vent has never been so EASY. Nothing to take apart, do it from OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE. No MESS or …


How To Remove Outside Dust From Ducting
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Rafaela Priori Gutler

Hi, I’m Rafaela Priori Gutler, a passionate interior designer and DIY enthusiast. I love transforming spaces into beautiful, functional havens through creative decor and practical advice. Whether it’s a small DIY project or a full home makeover, I’m here to share my tips, tricks, and inspiration to help you design the space of your dreams. Let’s make your home as unique as you are!

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22 comments

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  • A lot of that what you were sucking up when you were using the clear dome didn’t look like dust but looked exactly like the loose blow in ceiling insulation. Maybe it got in there in the install but the way it clumped and even had the same sort of mix of distribution of different colours in it, just like the insulation I have in my roof space

  • Been perusal a lot of articles on duct maintenance, leak fixes, and cleaning lately. This was pretty neat ! I must say though I got a real shock with the guy at the outdoor dryer vent using no eye protection blasting away with the air. Anyways, articles like this reinforce my goal of doing a good range of 10-year activities in my new construction home including ducts and vents.

  • I work for an HVAC company as a service technician and see some of the havoc caused by duct cleaners. #1 is improperly connecting to the ductwork. Sometimes they connect right at the furnace ducting and suck tons of dust onto the furnace blower wheel and AC coil, causing restrictions. #2 I’ve seen them pull return ducts joints apart in the attic, sucking in a bunch of blow in insulation into the ducting (Probably not their fault the joint was poorly done, but they just left it and didn’t say anything). Moral of the story hire professionals and inspect the ducting and inside the furnace after they’re done

  • I rent a home where this is desperately needed and they refused my suggestion! I’ve loved here for 6 years now! My power bill in the summer (June thru August) and the winter (december to February) is outrageous! These are the times my home air system is working hard to keep cool and warm! Is there something you could suggest that will help me clean these myself?

  • What do you do if you live in a rented apartment and you’re not in charge? The owner is cheap and doesn’t see the value in it, but it affects your everyday life because so much dust is formed on everything in your home. Is it possible to rent the duct cleaning tools and do it myself? What about bugs and spiders, will that cause more of them to come out? I hate that it’s not a standard in most apartments to get ducts cleaned.

  • I have the ones in my condo cleaned yesterday. It’s been over 36 hours and every time I run the air there’s dust and black soot coming out. The cleaner said it has nothing to do with what he did but I can’t see how that’s true. It’s never happened before. Is this normal and how long does it last? Thanks.

  • You should probably get one of those plastic screen covers for the end cap. Birds and rodents can learn to lift the little flap and make nests in your vent. Those screen covers are not usually recommended for dryer vents because they can catch lint exiting (and they do), but if your vent termination is easy to access you can just pop the screen off occasionally to clean it when it collects lint. I wouldn’t use one on a vent that you couldn’t see or access easily. The easily accessible (i.e. low to the ground) vents are also easier for critters to hop into, so the tradeoff of the screen is worth it.

  • I use a 25′ drain snake. I replaced my soft vents with hard vents. I put my snake in my drill and go at low speed to get the snake all the way in. I then set it to medium speed and draw the snake out. It bangs a lot and gives a good cleaning. It takes longer to set up and clean up than to clean out the vent, my vent goes through the ceiling. Since I have a long run, about 35′, I like to do this twice a year. This past year my son did it, and I forgot to tell him not to look directly in the vent until…, well I did say oops, I forgot.

  • As you were about to start the drill I thought “Why is he not wearing protective eye wear?” and then I saw your note pop up. 😆 My dryer vent goes up (not ideal) and runs about 30 feet to the outside. After I moved in to the house, I could hear birds walking inside the dryer vent. I cleaned it out one day and it was filled with straw that the birds brought in. I replaced the vent cover since it was broken. It is crazy what happens inside people’s dryer vents! 🤣

  • Great tip. I had an HVAC professional doing some other work in the house about 6 months ago who cleaned it out for me. The dryer worked much more efficiently once he did that, but now it’s starting to lose efficiency so I suspect it’s time to clean out the duct again. Will refer to this article again in the future.

  • Wife was just asking me about doing this since the people we bought our house from were so involved with their kids athletics, and pretty much let the house become like a 70 year old’s house in hopes of full ride sports scholarships. So many ‘wtf’ things we keep discovering, and the dryer vent definitely was on the bottom of their priority list.

  • I greatly enjoy your articles and love your new house! I noticed some of the product reviews on Amazon claim that the sections might either break apart or come unscrewed while in the vent. Did you find the tool of sufficient quality for multiple uses? Do you think the issues above that some people described in their reviews are simple operator error, for example running in reverse? Thank you!

  • We took the hose. I guess you called the hose. It’s just that big metal that is inside the house that attaches from the dryer and then goes to the exit and my dryer itself was getting hot and I noticed there was a symbol on there that I don’t know what it means think these fancy computers were just tell us but anyways, so we took that whole Accordion type thing out and got all of it out but oh wow I couldn’t believe how much got out of that and then last week I noticed that the dryer was hot again so it’s only probably four months maybe five months since we cleaned it out so pretty surprised since we don’t do a lot of bedding and sheets that’s actually washed elsewhere. Thanks for showing me your tool.

  • Be careful with lengthy ridged dryer lines going to downstairs or upstairs laundry rooms, the cleaning brush and shafts can encur sharp 90° bends in the non-standard lines some “smart guy” made and the plastic shafts can twist themselves apart deep inside the line and well past many bends, meaning the only way to free it up is to remove floors and panels or walls and ceilings. Speaking from experience. Best to torque limit the brush shafts to as low a number as possible to prevent twisting and snapping the shafts.

  • As a former appliance technician, the idea that you don’t need to disassemble anything is misleading. Depending upon the amount of buildup in the vent, using this method could actually push larger chunks of lint into the dryer that are too large to be blown out. This is why I always disconnect the hose at the dryer, then push everything outside. I then insert the brush into the back of the dryer to loosen any build up there, then suck it all out with a shop vac.

  • Had one this week. Tried from outside but vent on steep roof. To dangerous. Went inside. Pulled out dryer. The turn in the wall was to sharp. Couldn’t use drill brush. Pulled out compressor and vacuum. Hooked up reverse ball. Fed up as far as it would go and vacuumed lint as it came down. Vacuumed dryer hose and below lint trap on dryer. Finished with an electric leaf blower to remove remaining lint in line to roof. From the outside I could see lint scattered on the roof. Vacuumed floor put everything back together. A happy customer.

  • I’d never had my dryer vent cleaned out and I’ve lived here since the early 80s. Saw an ad online for $79 so went for it. When the men from the company got here, they mostly spoke Spanish to each other. The one who seemed to be the more knowledgeable one (man A) mostly spoke Span but the other one (man B) was fluent in Eng. Man A put his cell phone in the vent and took a photo and showed it to me, told me it was really bad and said the price to clean it would be $150. I felt like it was bait and switch but since my dryer had been taking a VERY long time to dry, I went for it. I watched everything they did. Man A also put his phone in the outside vent and showed me the photo. I could see hair and debris and I’ve had dogs and cats ever since I’ve lived here so thought the vent line might be packed with this stuff. He used a drill, the long skinny line with the brush on it on the inside behind the dryer. Then went outside. I asked where the stuff was that he’s pushed out. He pointed out a very small amt lying on the ground, but I’d pulled that out with my hand a few days ago. Then he put the brush inside this vent. Should I have seen a great deal of lint and hair instead of this very small amt? I ran my dryer after they left and it might have taken a bit less time than it had been taking but not a lot. Bottom line, I think I got gypped. Do you think I did?

  • No this is good stuff. We just paid $100 to a contractor on-site doing another job. It literally only took him a couple of minutes. Clothes get dry faster., saves electricity, dryer lint can be a FIRE HAZARD, particularly if you use dryer sheets (don’t do it), prolongs the life of your dryer and makes your home a bit safer.

  • One importing thing to remember. Never run your drill in reverse, even it the brush gets stuck. It can be instinctive to reverse the drill if things get stuck. Keep spining ini a clockwise drirection and work the brush out as best you can. Otherwise, the threaded joints can separate and you’ll end up with a much bigger problem.

  • I tell everyone to do it for you and yours every Father’s Day Found a birds nest when installing hot water solar for him in his McMansion He was volunteer hose head to to it off Dryer fire waiting to happen Years later he laid me off one week before my chemo was to start At least he did it after Christmas

  • Keep in mind folks, cleaning your dryer vent is NOT the most effective and immediate way to reduce the risk of a Dryer Fire. Dryer fires are the 6th leading cause of house fires. Don’t have a false since of security thinking you’re safer now that your dryer exhaust is cleaned. The most effective and immediate way to reduce the risk of a dryer fire is disassembling the machine and cleaning out the interior cabinet, around the motor, heating element, etc. Check out my website for more educational information.

  • Never use these unless you want an expensive repair on your hands. These nylons rods are notorious for snapping inside dryer vents, causing you to break open drywall or crawl around in attics to open the venting pipes to retrieve the brush heads that are stuck inside the dryer ducts. The rods cannot take the torque from the drills, especially went the brush is pushed pass a bend in the duct work. If you do use this tool, only use your hands to push it through the vents. DON’T USE IT WITH THE DRILL.

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