Homeowners and office managers, your attention, please. Your building’s air ducts are not something to take for granted. For them to function at their peak, they must be cleaned from time to time. Luckily, you won’t have to do things alone. You can connect with specialists who do airducts cleaning after construction or renovation, or address dust accumulation in the air ducts. This story will focus on post-construction and renovation air duct cleaning.
The Environmental Protection Agency has some shocking revelations to share. They say indoor air can be twice to five times more polluted than outdoor air. True, and interestingly, these figures can even go higher if your property has just undergone post-construction, with the release of volatile organic compounds from construction materials being the culprit.
Don’t feel frightened, but the American Lung Association seconds this by saying that poor indoor air quality, such as when air has post-construction particles, leads to serious health problems, from asthma and respiratory infections to long-term lung illnesses, all thanks to allergens, irritants, and bacterial growth from post-construction debris.
That being said, is air duct cleaning an emergency? It is. If you notice that you or the people in your house or office are starting to cough or show signs that the air quality isn’t ideal, don’t choose to take action tomorrow. Today is the time to connect with air duct cleaning specialists. But what questions should you ask them before shelling out your money to them? Here’s a guide.
Question #1: What Experience Levels Do You Have?
Being new in the industry doesn’t mean air duct cleaning providers cannot provide services beyond your expectations. Simultaneously, having garnered several years in this work doesn’t mean they will consistently deliver quality results. Thus, the first question to ask is their experience.
Professionals who handle air duct cleaning, for instance, to eliminate kitchen smell, may not be knowledgeable about post-construction air duct cleanup. Therefore, ensuring your post-construction air duct professionals are trained for this niche is crucial. Or, simply pick someone who can do various types of air duct cleaning. This question also entails that you ask about their certifications and training processes.
Question #2: What Equipment And Techniques Will Be Used?
The tagline, “Just sit back and relax, let us do the rest,” won’t work here. If you hear this from a potential air duct cleaner, tell them you’ll keep looking. While that saying applies to some aspects, it’s a red flag in this project.
In other words, it’s vital that you become hands-on with the project for which you are getting professionals. Don’t worry because air duct cleaners won’t be offended if you ask them what tools and techniques they will use. Actually, they will appreciate addressing this question more because they are sure you two are on the same page. This is also the opportunity to find out if their equipment are eco-friendly or not.
Question #3: What Is Your Air Duct Cleaning Process?
You must not approve when your air duct cleaner says they will apply the same process they did with the previous client. Situations in air ducts differ from establishment to establishment. Air ducts inside coffee shops, though both air ducts, are different from those inside grocery stores, for example.
The right air duct cleaner must understand your space properly. When you ask about their process for your project, you gain information about their services, what products they will use, and how they are detail-oriented and hands-on about the project.
Question #4: How Long Will The Process Take?
If it’s your own home, not for selling, you can take this question lightly. But, if you are having your office or business place’s air ducts cleaned, you are most likely chasing a deadline. Each day of unfinished air duct cleaning means losing potential customers.
As you ask this question, you will know the scope of your air duct’s problem. Your specialists will discuss if they find severe mold growth, nesting, or infestations. From these details, they will evaluate how long it will take to complete the project.
You don’t have to close your store for days or weeks, as proper full service only takes about two to five hours. You’ll just need to temporarily close and maybe post a note on your door or social media informing your customers to bear with you for a while. Therefore, asking this particular question is crucial.
Question #5: Will My Family Be Safe During The Cleaning Process?
You’ll certainly want to ask this question if you are availing of a residential air duct cleaning service. Slight problems with your air duct may only require your kids to relocate to another room that is not part of the project. But, if the scope of the issue is vast, they may need to stay at their aunt or uncle’s house for a while.
Air duct cleaning is generally safe. However, to prevent your family from getting into contact with debris falling from air ducts while cleaning, the technicians may move some of your furniture elsewhere and use floor covers to address the debris.
Question #6: Should I Do Anything Before You Arrive For The Air Duct Cleaning?
That is a smart question to ask. Not every homeowner will think of popping this question, but this is very important. You’ll realize that you also need to ensure the technicians will be safe throughout the process. For example, they may ask you to show them where your fire extinguisher and first aid kit area are located, such as when cleaning the air ducts of newly constructed offices. They may also request emergency contact information. Furthermore, both of you may be required to discuss your plan for relocating the people in your home or using your office.
Question #7: How Much Will The Air Duct Cleaning Cost?
A make-it-or-break-it question. The responses you will get here will determine if you will push through with someone on your list. At times, even if they’ve shown outstanding credentials, you’re forced to move forward to your second choice if the price isn’t within your budget.
Remember, the cost of air duct cleaning varies because it depends on their distance from your business establishment, how dirty your air ducts are, how easy it is for them to clean, the materials to be used, and so much more.
There you go, the first seven questions you must ask your air duct cleaning specialist before starting the project with them. This list can go on. You can ask for more questions as you deem necessary. There’s no right or wrong question. Ask away. How they build rapport with you is also a criteria you can use to find out if they’re suitable for your needs. Don’t do business with air duct cleaning specialists until you are sure they can carry out the project well.