Can Air Duct Cleaning Cause Damage to Ductwork?

Clean air plays a big role in creating a comfortable home environment. A major part of this is having clean and clear ductwork in your home. Before cleaning your ductwork, you may wonder: can air duct cleaning cause damage? The good news is that proper ductwork cleaning shouldn’t damage your ductwork, but overly aggressive cleaning techniques can create leaks and break connectors. Learn more about whether you need to clean your air ducts and how to avoid damage.

What Is the Purpose of Air Duct Cleaning?

Your HVAC system circulates air through your ducts to cool or warm your home (depending on the season). As the system runs, the ducts can collect dirt, dust, hair, and other debris. They can also trap moisture, which may cause mold or mildew to grow inside your ducts.

Air duct cleaning clears out these contaminants, making your home a more comfortable place to live. Some specific benefits of air duct cleaning include:

• Improved indoor air quality

• Fewer allergens

• Cleaner home

• More efficient HVAC system

• Reduced fire risk

• Fewer unpleasant odors

• Less wear and tear on your HVAC system

What Types of Damage Can Duct Cleaning Cause?

Clearing out your dirty ducts can improve the air quality in your home, but it comes with certain risks—particularly if you have flexible air ducts (also known as flex ducts). These ducts consist of an outer wire coil surrounded by a thin layer of plastic. Compared to other types of air ducts—including sheet metal ductwork—flex ducts are more likely to tear or break during cleaning. Aggressive cleaning can puncture or tear flex ducts, leading to air leaks. Because of this, HVAC experts don’t recommend cleaning flex ducts without professional help.

Other potential air duct issues you want to avoid include:

• Loose or disconnected ductwork: High-pressure cleaning can disconnect sections of duct joints, which can lead to air leaks and reduced efficiency.

• Damaged insulation: Cleaning tools can dislodge or contaminate insulation, which can harm your home’s energy efficiency.

• Broken seams or removed sealant: This accidental damage can cause pesky leaks. 

• Structural damage to metal ducts: Metal ducts can become dented or warped, which restricts airflow.

• Weakened coatings: Abrasive air duct cleaning methods can degrade protective coatings, reducing duct life span.

• Redistributed dust and debris: Improper cleaning can redistribute dust, which in turn can cause blockages and recontamination. This dust and debris can also injure blower motors or sensors, leading to malfunctions.

• Busted vents and registers: Vents can crack and louvers can bend, affecting air distribution.

• Harmed electrical components: The air duct cleaning process can sever wires or cause moisture-related short circuits, impacting system function.

Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is no evidence that air duct cleaning actually reduces health problems. Still, the agency says that you should consider duct cleaning if you have visible mold, excessive dirt and debris buildup, or vermin living inside your ducts.

Cleaning Ducts Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

You can save a few hundred dollars by cleaning your home’s air ducts yourself, but generally, you will want to hire a local air duct cleaner to handle it for you. Professionals have specialized equipment designed specifically for air duct cleaning. They also have the training and experience required to perform the job correctly—without damaging your duct system.

While you will spend more upfront to hire an air duct professional near you, you may save a lot of money in the long run by avoiding pricey mistakes. On average, a professional air duct cleaning costs between $270 and $490, with most people paying around $380. Your price may vary depending on a few factors, including the size of your home and the number of vents you have.

Alternatives to Air Duct Cleaning

While many people consider air duct cleaning to be worthwhile, you might decide that it’s not for you. In that case, there are a couple of alternatives to consider.

Some companies suggest prioritizing HVAC maintenance and servicing over air duct cleaning, while others recommend investing in air purifiers—instead of duct cleaning—to improve your system’s efficiency and air quality.

Tips for Keeping Your Air Ducts Clean

In addition to cleaning your air ducts, there are other ways to maintain your ductwork. Here are some good tips to keep in mind:

• Change your air filters regularly: In most cases, you should change your filter about every three months. You may need to replace your filter more frequently if you have allergies, smoke indoors, or use thin filters.

• Get rid of dirt and dust around your ductwork: Prevent debris from getting into your HVAC system by regularly vacuuming near your vent grills, duct openings, and furnace.

• Stay up-to-date with your HVAC inspections: It’s important to schedule a professional HVAC and ductwork inspection each year (or twice per year if your system is more than a decade old). On average, an HVAC inspection costs $300.