1. Timing and Coordination:
Optimal Timing: Air duct cleaning should be conducted towards the beginning of the detail vacuuming phase.
This timing minimizes the risk of re-contamination from duct cleaning debris.
It allows for easy cleanup if duct cleaning equipment malfunctions and disperses debris.
It prevents recontamination of the HVAC system during dust generating activities.
Qualified Professionals:
Air duct cleaning must be performed by an experienced and qualified company.
Upon completion, a representative of the remediation company must inspect the work.
2. Duct Cleaning Scope:
Thorough Cleaning:
The duct cleaning must include cleaning and disinfecting of the entire HVAC system.
This encompasses the air handler, coils, & the interior of the duct system.
The coils & air handler tend to be the most contaminated part of the duct system.
The return air assembly (the intake) tends to be more contaminated than the supply side (outlet)
Encapsulation:
The interior of the duct system must be encapsulated with an approved product.
3. Register and Grill Management:
Removal and Cleaning:
Registers should be taken down by the duct cleaning company.
Registers and return air grills should be cleaned.
Registers should not be reset by the duct cleaning company
This provides valuable information, as it proves that all registers were cleaned out & registers are easily inspected for cleanliness.
Duct cleaning companies famously skip hard to reach registers, and suggest that they were detached, cleaned & reset.
Remediation Professional Responsibilities:
The remediation professional will inspect the system after cleaning.
The remediation professional will reset the registers after cleaning is complete.
4. Quality Assurance:
Remediation Technician Inspection:
A remediation technician should detach the air handler covers & visually inspect the interior of the air handler for quality of cleaning.
If the interior doesn't appear clean enough, it must be remedied before proceeding with the following structure cleaning stages.
A remediation technician should reach into each register with a damp towel to wipe the interior of the ductwork.
This ensures thorough cleaning and prevents surprises during IH/CIE inspections or clearance testing.
This will prevent debris from getting on the IH/CIE's arm, and from being found on tape lifts during clearance testing.
The register boot should be cleaned by hand with a mild detergent and water.
Harsh cleaning products can remove paint from registers.