New Construction Duct Cleaning Toronto

New Construction Duct Cleaning involves the removal of construction dust from ductwork, vents and the air distribution system. The cleaning of construction dust is based on the extent of the work and may include supply and return ducts, registers, grilles, vent openings and HVAC components as agreed. Unlike post-construction cleaning and general house cleaning, duct cleaning concentrates on construction dust within the air distribution system.

Construction dust takes the path of least resistance. It can enter ductwork through open supply or return registers. HVAC operation can draw dust into return-air areas. Uncovered floor registers, or registers through which debris can fall, also let dust get into ductwork. Construction dust can enter ductwork with ease, especially when a trade performs cutting or sanding activities while HVAC openings are uncovered. It is very common for contractors to take protection off early, as a covered opening during one construction phase may be uncovered during a later phase. This explains how a property can be completed and appear to be clean, yet there can be gaps with construction debris in unfinished areas.

This service may be applicable to new home buyers who are concerned about the presence of construction dust, building contractors who clean the areas prior to transfer of possession, building contractors who incorporate HVAC cleaning in their completion activities, general contractors who identify contamination after the trades have been completed, site supervisors who arrange for cleaning prior to hand over, property managers who take possession, landlords and investors who now have completed rental units. The question that remains the same for each of them is, did the construction activities leave material in areas occupied by Believer Services?

Vacant houses are typically cleaned prior to closing, including the HVAC ductwork. However, if a home is not cleaned before moving into it, there is no reason to assume that the ductwork needs to be cleaned. Unless there is visible contamination, there is no need for concern. For the ductwork, having dust or dirt present prior to occupancy establishes a new baseline for maintenance.

Whether the HVAC system should be operated during the construction process is dependent on the construction plan and equipment as well as the recommendations of the contractor. We do not give instructions to operate equipment that is outside of our scope. The duct cleaning concern stems from the fact that if the construction dust is present in the ductwork and the system is operating, it will flow to the return-air plenum and other associated system components. It is always best to assess the situation after the system is operating.

There is no standard cleaning package because scope depends on factors such as duct layout, accessibility, and the type of contaminants found in the system. This cleaning package may include supply ducts, return ducts, and other accessible areas of the system such as vents and registers.

Additional cleaning of other accessible air distribution areas within Believer's confirmed scope may also be necessary. If construction debris extends to components of the HVAC system outside the ducts, confirmed HVAC cleaning can be offered separately.

It should not be the case that the scope of service determines the cleaning package.

The service should not be vague. The package should not imply general house or window cleaning, carpet or floor cleaning, waste disposal, demolition, drywall repairs, removal of paint, HVAC mechanical or electrical repairs, removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials, full HVAC system commissioning, or any cleaning of one or more components of the HVAC system. Any additional services requested should be confirmed separately.

These should not be lumped together. Post-construction cleaning focuses on the visible cleaning of the building, including floor, wall, and ceiling surfaces. Post-construction duct cleaning cleans the dust that may be present in the HVAC and Air Distribution Systems. A property that appears to be clean can still retain debris present in the venting system, and whose floors are dusty does not warrant duct cleaning. Each system should be evaluated independently.

Duct cleaning targets supply and return ducts, while HVAC cleaning may include more confirmed components. Construction dust does not stay in ducts, so if there is buildup in other HVAC components, more cleaning in the range of the Believer's scope may be warranted, but not all jobs will require the complete package. Start with an inspection and do the necessary cleaning.

While some ducts are dirty in new homes, old homes are not the only ones which deserve an assessment. An assessment is warranted when there is visible drywall dust in the vents or ducts below registers, vents were uncovered during dusty work, returns were exposed, the system was active during dusty work, the coverings were removed or damaged, the builder advised cleaning, and the duct system was active during work. These are assessment indicators and are NOT a clear indication that every system needs the package.

Depending on the contract and what constitutes the project, builders may not be obligated to clean air ducts before the final handover, and Believer does not make legal claims about what every Ontario builder must provide. Cleaning air ducts is more about whether construction dust and debris are present in the ducts or the surrounding HVAC areas, which builders, contractors, or homeowners may opt to arrange and pay for cleaning if needed.

Absolutely. Sawdust and particles are byproducts of woodworking and wood flooring, cabinetry, and carpentry. If floor registers are uncovered, loose material is left around. It is important to assess the material to ensure proper cleaning of vents and/or ductwork.

During construction, an HVAC filter can be subjected to a greater amount of dust than usual, especially if the system is running and construction debris is in the air. A filter used during construction should be based on the manufacturer's recommended practice and the circumstances of use. Replacing a filter does not remove construction debris from the ductwork, and duct cleaning does not eliminate the obligation to replace a filter in the future.

Heavy debris can affect airflow, but weak airflow should not be automatically assumed to be a duct cleaning issue, as there are many other reasons for weak airflow that are unrelated to duct cleaning. Abnormal airflow should be addressed by an inspection instead of a mechanical diagnosis.

Each project is unique and as such, there is no definitive answer. Several factors impact the overall completion time such as the size of the property, the configuration of the ducts, number of vents, estimated amount of construction debris, ease of access, the number of HVAC systems on property, and the overall amount of work required to be done.

I want to know what the service includes. Which ducts, supply and return areas, vents, registers, and grilles are included in the quote? Is the quote based on the size of the property and the number of systems? How do they assess dust and debris? Is the HVAC cleaning done along with the duct cleaning, and are there any accessibility charges? If they find contamination outside of the quoted area, what happens, and why do they recommend the cleaning? A broad scope promises cleaning everything, but the clear scope should take priority.

The duct cleaning for new construction affects the service differently when compared to routine cleaning. For builders and contractors, the service is required at various stages and construction timelines, the trades that generate dust, handover and possession of units, multiple units, and access to the construction site. Where Believer has the required scope of work, provide the number of construction sites, the construction stage and the anticipated requirements when requesting a quote. The goal is to schedule the service after the work that creates the most dust is completed.

It is usually helpful to arrange construction debris HVAC cleaning before possession. Construction is typically complete. The system is empty, and the first owner comes to know the state of the system. Construction-related HVAC cleaning should be done only after construction activity is completed. If the trades are going to undertake major sanding right after construction cleaning, then it may not be worth doing construction-related cleaning.

We tailor the cleaning of new construction ducts with our confirmed duct, vent and HVAC services. This means we select services based on the project scope rather than offering the same package to every new construction project. New construction ducts, air ducts, vents, HVACs, HVAC inspections, air filter replacements, and post construction duct cleanings are some examples of services we offer that comprise our scope of work. The idea is to clean what the construction impacted, and keep it as simple as that.