DUCT CLEANING IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

When it comes to duct cleaning, no operating space is exempt, including commercial buildings. Dirt, dust, and debris containing allergens and contaminants love to collect in hidden areas, and commercial buildings have these spaces in spades. The HVAC systems in buildings need frequent attention, regardless of age, but the older the building is, the more likely the ductwork is dirty too. Internally insulated ducts offer a significant gathering spot for all kinds of contaminants. And when debris, dust, or contaminants are blown out of ductwork, they can impact the health of not just your system, but also the people exposed to it … and that is where your troubles really begin.

Ridding HVAC systems of contaminants can be a complicated process. The wet, internal surface of the air handler unit is often the original source of a problem. If maintenance of the unit is lacking, problems in the form of dust, moisture, or mold can then be sent downstream through the supply air ducts. But cleaning some ductwork is tricky. That’s because the internally insulated ductwork needs to be cleaned thoroughly without damaging the liner. If the liner is ripped, torn, or broken, it can expose dust and fibers, which can create a breeding ground for biological contaminants (i.e., mold).

We recently encountered a situation where one section of a full-floor tenant’s space smelled like mold. It took a lot of creativity to find a solution. Obviously, when you’re working in commercial buildings, you’re talking about a complex network of ducts and outlets. If you can’t assess the situation efficiently, you end up wasting a lot of time. To accurately identify problem areas, we started at the main supply trunk and placed a small motorized camera in the ductwork. This allowed us to inspect the interior surfaces and collect a significant amount of data.

The photos showed us pockets of mold growth and provided us with a full scope of the situation. We were then able to develop a plan to resolve the issue. The contractor doing the work started by cleaning the air handler units for the floor. (Although the maintenance of the AHUs was good, we wanted to ensure the owner that nothing at the AHU could contaminate the duct system after cleaning was completed). They then proceeded to the duct system. They started by brushing the mold on the duct surfaces with soft brushes to release it from the surface of the liner. Next, they vacuumed every square inch of the liner to remove particles and fibers. Finally, they applied an encapsulating antimicrobial paint. This helped pin down any loose fibers caused by the cleaning and helped prevent further issues from arising. Ultimately, they removed all of the visible mold and encapsulated the internal liners. That should help to provide a safe work space, free of odors and allergic reactions to mold, for many years.

Cleaning ducts is not a project for in-house staff. It is technical, time consuming, and requires an eye for details. That’s why it is imperative that a qualified mechanical contractor with actual duct cleaning experience be brought in to deal with the kinds of problems that can occur.

We tend to encounter these kinds of problems a couple of times every month. And even with our extensive training and experience, they are always a challenge! But hey … we’re up for the challenge. Heck —we like a challenge!

If you have questions or concerns about your building’s air duct systems, call us today. We can help to improve the indoor air quality in your commercial building, regardless of the type.