How Often Should You Get Your Home’s Air Ducts Cleaned?
Regular Air Ducts Cleaned offers so many benefits; by improving your indoor air quality, you’re left breathing cleaner air, it can save you money on your utility bill, and reduce the amount of dust in your home, thereby allowing you to spend less time dusting and less time sneezing, too! How often should you schedule routine air duct cleaning services for your home though?
For the majority of people, it isn’t necessary to have their air ducts cleaned every year. However, there are many contributing factors that determine how often a thorough air duct cleaning should be done. The number of people who occupy the home, pet ownership, operating an in-home pet sitting business, carpeting or drapery in many areas of the home, renovations, etc can all affect the length of time recommended between each cleaning. However, for the majority, the NJ air duct cleaning experts at DRX suggest having your ducts cleaned every three to five years.
Is It Time For An Air Duct Cleaning?
If you’ve recently done any construction, additions, remolding, sanding of floors etc, your ducts may need an additional cleaning before the normal recommended time frame, as dust/construction debris will build-up in the ductwork during these types of projects. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it’s recommended that you get your home’s ductwork cleaned no matter how long it’s been if you suspect there may be mold in your ducts, or if you’ve noticed any rodents in your home.
If it’s been a while since you last had your air ducts cleaned, or if you just moved to a new home and don’t know when the air ducts were last cleaned, you can schedule an appointment with the most exclusive air duct cleaners in NJ – DRX Duct Cleaning. At DRX, not only are we members of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, but we guarantee a NADCA certified technician on site at every job every time. We’ve been in business for over 10 years with over 75 years combined experience. We guarantee our satisfactory and we pride ourselves on being completely transparent about the process from start to finish. There are never any surprises. Give us a call today and join the hundreds of satisfied DRX customers across NJ! (908) 755-2950
Ah, Spring. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the allergy sufferers are flocking to the drug stores and buying out all the antihistamines on the shelves. As much as we are ready to welcome winter’s end, those of us with allergies are dreading the yearly plague of itchy noses, watery eyes, and sneezing! There are a few things we can do to prepare, but eliminating our exposure to pollen is essentially impossible.
Here are a few things you can do:
As tempting as it may be to crack open all the windows and leave the doors open, don’t do it! Keep them closed to minimize exposure to allergens.
Be sure to vacuum your home frequently! Vacuuming floors, rugs, furniture, even your mattresses and pillows with a HEPA filtered vacuum is recommended.
Pollen sticks to fabric like velcro. To avoid spreading it through your home, change your clothes as soon as you get inside. You may even want to bag the clothes before bringing them to the laundry area depending on the severity of your allergies. Also, leave shoes in the foyer so you do not track the pollen onto your floors and rugs.
If you typically shower in the morning, try switching it up and showering before bed to avoid transferring pollen to your blankets and pillows.
Be sure to change furnace filters frequently. Use a pleated filter with a high MERV rating. Spending a little more on a high quality filter it worth it.
Do mold inspections because mold can set off allergies as well. The top places to uncover mold is in bathrooms, kitchens, basements or anywhere there may be leaks, or propensity for humid conditions.
Remember to clean and shut off the humidifier if you have one attached to your furnace.
Limit outdoor activity when the pollen count is at a high. (Typically between 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM) Pollen counts are always high on windy days, and hot dry days have a higher pollen count as well.
Check the local weather app or weather station for an air quality report before planning your day.
Schedule an appointment to have your air ducts cleaned and sanitized. This will remove pollen, dust, dust mites, mold spores and other allergens from your air ducts.
Looking a Great Company for Air Duct Cleaning in Central NJ?
DRX Duct Cleaning has been in business for over 10 years proudly serving the greater NJ area. Our staff has combined over 75 years of experience in the air duct cleaning and HVAC industry. Additionally, not only are we NADCA members, but we guarantee an NADCA certified technician on site at every job, every time, no exceptions! For more information or to schedule an appointment with the most exclusive air duct cleaners in NJ, contact us at (908) 755-2950 today.
You probably use it every day and you know the dryer vent to outside, but you may not have any idea how dryer vent works. While it isn’t necessary to know the mechanical workings of a dryer vent, knowing how to clean out the dryer vent and how often it is a must. Not just for the safety of your home, but for the longevity of the dryer.
Dryer vent and duct cleaning is important to your family and home’s safety, and it also extends the life of the dryer and requires less energy to dry your clothes, saving you on energy bills. Experts recommend that dryer exhaust vents should be cleaned and inspected once a year for the average-sized family. The more laundry you do, you may need to consider clean out the dryer vent process two to three times a year. Why?
You empty the lint screen after each use, (or at least we hope you do!). Did you know that not all the lint accumulates on that screen though? Lint also works past that screen and on into the vent that goes outside. So, when we are recommending that you do an annual clean out the dryer vent, or more, it is to remove that flammable lint in that foil-like hose on the back of the dryer.
Over 15,000 fires in the United States is caused by the clothes dryer each year. A sure sign that your dryer needs a clean out the dryer vent is the time it takes for an average load of clothes or towels to dry. When you need rerun the dry two to three times to get your average load of towels dry, it is time to clean the dryer vent.
Another indication that it is time to clean out the dryer vent, is if the external cabinet is hot to the touch, or the control panel. Before you check either of these two things, always disconnect the dryer from the electricity then check the vent.
How do
you tell if your dryer vent is clogged?
As lint builds up and clogs the system then pushes air back into the clothes dryer. Clothes get hot but stay damp, making you run the dryer over and over. Learn to know when your dryer vent needs cleaning isn’t obvious, so here we offer the following signs:
Clothes are extremely hot – When a dryer can’t vent the hot air, it overheats. This puts stress on the blower, heating element, and other parts.
Increased drying time – If your clothes are getting dry in the normal time, clean out the dryer vent and have the vent inspected.
Outside of vent collecting debris and dust – If you’re noticing debris and dust on the exterior siding of the dryer vent, you need to schedule a time to clean out the dryer vent. If you’ve never done this before, the first time should be done by a professional.
Always empty the lint trap – If you’re not already, start emptying the lint trap after each use. If there is lint trap is empty, this indicates the airflow is decreased. This can usually be resolved after clean out the dryer vent is performed.
Why
does my dryer vent keep getting clogged?
There are different factors your dryer vent is clogged frequently, with the first one being the lint trap isn’t emptied after each use. While the lint trap can do an excellent job catching the lint, if it isn’t clean regularly, the lint will start getting sucked into the vent hose. If you know you the lint trap isn’t emptied as it should be, perform a clean out the dryer vent process three to four times a year.
Another cause the dryer to get frequently clogged are foreign the objects in the lint trap. Common in most busy households, family members will empty their pockets on top of the clothes dryer or washing machine. Items like coins, gum wrappers, keys or other items. They get sucked into the dryer vent and block the air and gas from properly exhausting out the vent.
A frequent question that experts are asked is “Can a blocked dryer vent cause a fire?”, and the answer is yes. It cannot be repeated and stressed enough that the dryer lint trap needs to be cleaned after each use and no less than once a year, a clean out the dryer vent process should take place either by the homeowner in the instructions we provided or hiring a professional. Need dryer vent cleaning service in North Plainfield and Bridgewater, NJ? Dial (908) 755-2950 today for DRX DUCT LLC.
Your chimney isn’t just where St. Nick makes his way down on a cold winter’s evening, it’s where warmth and fire can spread into the rooms of your home. Yet beyond the cozy comfort of a fire, a chimney is a home system that needs to be checked up on just like any other system of the home. With fire comes soot, ashes and other components that need maintenance and our chimney cleaning services to periodically be incorporated into the home maintenance routine. It’s in this way that your chimney can be kept in proper working condition without causing harmful toxins from infiltrating the house or damaging other areas of the home systems. Chimney cleaning is essential in maintaining the health and safety of any home systems. Here is some helpful information that can prove essential the next time you require chimney cleaning.
How often should you have your chimney cleaned?
Chimney cleaning can vary in timeframe dependent on how often you use your chimney. What’s more, even if you don’t use your chimney often there can be other occupants such as squirrels, birds or raccoons that could be nesting and creating debris in it. The bare minimum chimney cleaning according to the National Fire Protection Association should be once per year as this can correct any unnatural clearances, check for deposits, cleanliness duties and bring up any needs for repair. According to the Chimney Safety Insitute of America fireplaces or chimney cleaning should occur when ⅛ inch of sot buildup is seen in the flue and chimney system. As of such, even if the build-up is less then ⅛ inches if any glaze is seen chimney cleaning should still be done. This is because of the fact that any buildup of soot or creosote can spark a chimney fire. With heavy use fireplaces, you can expect such cases of gallon buckets of material being removed, that’s why it’s important to know of your chimney use and how that affects soot and creosote buildup to unsafe levels.
What dissolves creosote?
Creosote naturally forms from the burning of wood from a fireplace or wooden stove. This substance can build up in chimney flies which leaves a potential for chimney fires. It’s therefore essential to remove buildup at least once a year. One way to do this is to burn aluminum cans in hot fires which can loosen creosote so it flakes and falls down into the fireplace or firebox. Although this is a good method it doesn’t clean the creosote off fully and a chimney brush will still be needed to ensure cleanliness.
Do chimney cleaning logs really work?
Although chimney cleaning logs carry a chemical catalyst which can reduce early stages of creosote buildup of up to 60% with repeated use, they won’t magically clean and clear out the build-up of your chimney. Soot and creosote build-up will still need to be cleaned.
Three Stages of Creosote Buildup
There are three stages of creosote build up that can affect the level of difficulty in cleaning it up. The first stage involves flaky soot that is easily removed with a chimney cleaning brush. The second stage involves more passage of time when flakes harden to tar which will need to be removed with specialized rotary tools. The final or third stage involves the creosote turning into a tar-like glaze that in most cases will require replacing the chimney liner.
Chimney Cleaning Steps
Get the right cleaning tools.
Get special brushes for the firebox.
Spread a tarp to minimize mess, tape it around the hearth.
Create an opening and insert a vacuum into the tarp.
Vent vacuum to the outside.
Brush the flue & relevant areas.
Run the vacuum to collect fall out.
Will a chimney fire burn itself out?
A slow burning fire may occur with your chimney and burn itself out yet this can be a danger as they aren’t as loud as free burning fires which sound like an airplane or other loud blazing noise. With a slow burning fire, you can still cause damage to your property as they still burn at high temperatures that can cause structural damage and catch on to flammable objects in your home.
How much does it cost to have your chimney cleaned?
A basic chimney cleaning or sweep can average $150-$250. Factors that can affect pricing can include the condition that your chimney is in, the type of chimney you have, if you have creosote buildup or if there are nesting/dead animals inside.
Contact A Professional For Assistance
When you’re in need of North Plainfield and Bridgewater, NJchimney cleaning services than rely on DRX Duct Cleaning for chimney cleaning and inspection. Only through the help of a professional will you be able to have your chimney cleared of any potential dangers with your safety in mind. It’s important to realize that although some chimney cleaning equipment is available to the public only a professional will be able to determine if any build up or problems in your chimney would call for chimney cleaning and repairs. Learn more about Fireplace and safety tips & resources for homeowners. Chimney and venting certifications for industry professionals.
If you’re interested in chimney cleaning in North Plainfield and Bridgewater, NJ call (908) 755-2950with DRX DUCT LLC!
Do you have a fireplace in your home? If you do and use it with some measure of frequency, you’re going to want to acquire some basic maintenance skills. Treating this important foundation structure properly is key to house maintenance. According to a survey of almost fifteen thousand nationwide homeowners, the average chimney sweep cost is approximately $228. This average is based on an average of numbers, with the price vacillating between $125 and $332.
If you have a wood fireplace, it is highly advisable that you keep regular maintenance. Build-up from years of neglect could total as much as $800. While using a wood-burning fireplace in the winter can lower your electric bills, smoke in the stack leaves remnants of ash and carbon residue. This residue needs to be extracted at least annually because it can lead to chimney fires, carbon monoxide leaks, and a troubling lack of airflow.
Is it Safe to Clean Your Own Chimney?
When safety precautions have been put in place, and with a repertoire of handy knowledge, a safe cleaning can be accomplished. It is advisable to clean your chimney in the fall, before the burning season begins. Whether or not you choose to undertake chimney cleaning in Bridgewater, NJ yourself is ultimately up to you. There are a series of considerations to take under advisement. First of all, never clean your chimney with an active fire. The chimney should be cool, and no fire should be present. Also, wear protective eye and mouth gear, such as a dust mask. This is because you do not want to breathe in these pollutants. DRX Duct Cleaning has the correct tools to get this job completed successfully.
Do Chimney Sweeping Logs Really Work?
Creosote is the name of the filmy residue that is deposited in a flue by burning wood. When a sweep commences, creosote is the substance that needs to be removed. Creosote is a huge fire risk. Creosote sweeping logs are available on the shelves of many big-box stores. You may be wondering, as a consumer, if these logs really work. The verdict is in: yes, creosote logs work, but only up to a point. Creosote sweeping logs dry up the creosote in the fireplace. Once the creosote dries up, soot particles naturally fall into the fireplace. Burning a creosote log makes the next fire safer, and the next chimney sweeping easier.
How Often Should You Sweep Your Chimney?
this really depends on how often you use your chimney. The job of the chimney sweeper is to remove soot, built up creosote from your chimney liner, firebox, smoke chamber, and damper. Even if you only have minimal use of your fireplace, you should get an annual chimney inspection to make sure that all your systems are in working order. The National Fire Protection Association states that, “fireplaces shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”
The CSIA, Chimney Safety Institute of America, has a more specific requirement, stipulating that fireplaces should be cleaned when there is an eighth of an inch of soot build-up found.
Common Issues
While it may not seem necessary to clean your chimney often, expect the following issues if you don’t:
Birds, squirrels, and raccoons making your chimney a makeshift home.
Blockages caused by branches, leaves, and outside debris. These blockages can cause critical problems.
Creosote possibly igniting a fire in your chimney due to the presence of build up.
Once again, creosote is a dangerous substance containing a high percentage of soot. The first layer of creosote can be removed with a chimney brush. If your chimney catches on fire, it is not a stretch for that fire to spread to your home, and for further damage to occur.
Metal roofing practically eradicates the chance of your roof catching on fire. Consult with a local, trusted roofer to begin a conversation to see if you would benefit from a metal roof.
What is Your Chimney Made Of?
In order to find out what it’s made of, let’s first diagram what kind of fireplace you have. There are two main types of fireplaces – masonry fireplaces and factory built fireplaces. A masonry fireplace possesses a firebox built of individual, generally yellowish firebrick, with a brick chimney above the roof. A prefab, or factory built fireplace generally has a firebox of cast refractory panels and generally speaking there is some metal visible in the room around the firebox.
Masonry composites are primarily made of brick and mortar. They usually have some sort of internal liner to protect the flue from damage. In factory made chimneys, the flue is made completely out of metal, and resembles a pipe or tube. This liner can be made out of clay tiles, aluminum or steel, or a cast-in place material.
The Flue
A flue is a duct, pipe, or opening that conveys exhaust gases from a fireplace. Flues can also transmit gases from a furnace, water heater, boiler, or generator to the outdoors.
How Do I Clean My Liner?
Cleaning a liner is a time-consuming process, but can be done. The first thing you need to do is remove the rain cap. Next, you will select the proper size nylon, poly, or natural bristle chimney brush to clean the liner. You will need to make sure that the brush head passes throughout the complete length of the liner, including the connectors, terminals and tees. Next, you will need to connect the cleaning brush to the end of the cleaning rod. Insert the brush down the flue from the top of the chimney. Guide the chimney brush up and down the flue.
You will want to add more cleaning rods to extend further down the chimney. After sweeping, use a shovel to remove the ash and creosote that has fallen from the flue.
The Brush
When choosing a brush for your fireplace, be sure to select a brush that fits accordingly with the size and dimension of your fireplace. The material of a chimney brush is usually composed of metal wire or polypropylene, and will suit the masonry or factory built origin of your fireplace. For masonry chimneys, metal wire brushes will be the ideal instrument for chimney cleaning. Likewise, for factory built chimneys, polypropylene, which will not be too harsh on the metal liner.
If you live in the North Plainfield and Bridgewater, NJ area, consult the professionals at DRX DUCT LLC for all your chimney needs. Call (908) 755-2950 today!
DRX Duct Cleaning Company is located in New Jersey and is a family-owned ran operation. Our team has over 75 years of combined experience. We have performed more than 50,000 duct cleaning jobs in NJ. Our foundation is built on honesty, integration, and loyalty. Our company is kept small so we can overlook every job and be in connection with every customer. We supply quality service, and there are never any tricks or hidden charges. Our individually NADCA certified technicians symbolize our full commitment to providing you with the most thorough and professional services available. We are one of the very few companies who can guarantee a NADCA certified technician on-site at every job every time. Our strict quality control standards ensure that you, our valued customer, receive complete and unconditional satisfaction. Call us now at 908-755-2950 for a no-obligation free estimate, or for any questions or concerns regarding your indoor air quality.
What to expect when we arrive at your residential home in NJ.
While every job is unique, here is a general overview of our typical air duct cleaning process.
1. First, we will “zone” the HVAC air duct system’s supply and return sides. We use zone bags in order to get this done.
2. The vacuum will then be connected by using what’s called a connection collar, and then the vacuum will be turned on.
3. All supply registers will be closed off to maximize the negative pressure. At that point, we will then clean one duct at a time using this method: All supply ducts will be cleaned using our viper whip system where we snake down 20 plus ft inside every vent. This will disturb and dislodge all dust and debris in the main trunk lines.
4.When the supply branches are cleaned out, the main trunks and the plenum drop will be cleaned using high-pressure air compressed agitation air whipping tools.
5. When the supply side is cleaned completely, we will then start to work on the return side of the system. Like the supply side, the return side will also have a hole cut into it, with the vacuum being connected using a connection collar and the vacuum is turned on.
6. All return ducts will be cleaned using our viper whip system where we snake down 20 plus ft inside every event. This will disturb and dislodge all dust and debris into the central truck lines.
7. After all ductwork including the main truck, lines has been cleaned; the ductwork can then be sanitized or disinfected.
8. We then air wash cleaned the furnace, squirrel cage, and blower motor.
9. Finally, when the air ducts have been completely cleaned, all of the holes will be closed using high-quality sheet metal sealing off any leaks, making it easier to access the ducts for future cleanings.
10. A final walk-through is performed ensuring everything is clean before leaving.
You will not find another duct cleaning company in NJ that is as committed to professionalism and customer satisfaction as DRX Duct Cleaning! Our Google reviews speak for themselves. Give us a call today. Don’t let anyone but the best into your home! Contact us at (908) 755-2950 for the best duct cleaning company in New Jersey.
