Cleaning ventilation ducts in an apartment or cottage

Cleaning ventilation ducts is not a one-time event, but a regular event that ensures the maintenance of an optimal microclimate in the room. After the work, air circulation improves, the likelihood of the appearance of fungus and mold, and the development of other harmful bacteria is reduced. It can be done with your own hands, but the maximum effect is achieved only with the involvement of specialists.

Cleaning the ventilation system Source onlineexpo.com

How to check the quality of ventilation

It is not difficult to check the effect of the ventilation system in a house or apartment. To do this you need to do the following:

• Close all windows and doors of the room.
• Take a sheet of paper, cut a strip from it 3-5 cm wide and no more than 25 cm long.

How to check the quality of ventilation with your own hands Source fb.ru
If the ventilation ducts are working properly, it should be attracted to the grille (hole). If the paper oscillates slightly or remains motionless, the ventilation system cannot cope with its responsibilities.

Healthy! All ventilation ducts in the apartment are checked in a similar way.

The old “proven” method (bringing the flame of a lighter or match to the ventilation duct and checking the draft with it) is not recommended. In apartment buildings with a main gas pipeline, the possibility of a gas leak cannot be ruled out. Thus, an open flame can cause a fire. Therefore, it is recommended to check the operation of the ventilation ducts in a less dangerous way, using the above-mentioned method.

Problems of uncleaned ventilation ducts

Ignoring fire safety and sanitary requirements for the technical condition of ventilation systems leads to the following consequences:

1. Accumulated dust easily ignites from the slightest spark. Through a network of air ducts, the flame can spread to several rooms.
2. Grease, vegetable oil and soot are more difficult to ignite, but when heated enough, these contaminants will ignite and produce a lot of heat. Quite difficult to put out.
3. Fatty and other deposits create increased resistance to air flow due to increased friction against the channel walls. The performance of the ventilation system is reduced.
4. A deposit of grease and soot can damage axial and duct fans whose electric motors come into contact with the air flow. The reason is clogging and overheating of the windings.
5. Inside the layer of sewage covering the walls of the air ducts, mold forms and various pathogens multiply.

Grease (photo on the left) and dust (on the right) contamination of the ducts
In practice, the exhaust ducts of apartment and private buildings are rarely serviced. It must be admitted that the risk of fire inside natural ventilation systems installed in thick concrete or brick walls is extremely low. But moistened dust and greasy deposits in any case worsen the natural draft in the pipes.

The ventilation systems of industrial facilities are cleaned more or less regularly, which is facilitated by inspections by inspection services. In private cottages, where modern supply and exhaust ventilation with mechanical drive is designed, the frequency and quality of service depends entirely on the owners.

Signs of poor performance

Before you clean the ventilation yourself, you should familiarize yourself with the list of signs indicating its poor performance. They are as follows:

• Buildup of cobwebs and dust on and around vents.
• Dark sediment, fat particles formed on the surface of the ventilation grille.
• Rapid heating of the room. Lack of ventilation contributes to a sharp rise in temperature. For example, during the cooking process.
• No draft or air movement. Poor ventilation causes minimal movement of air masses when the doors are closed.

Ventilation that has not been cleaned for many years Source homemasters.ru

Important! Detection of any of these conditions requires immediate intervention. Delay will lead to even greater coking of the channels and disrupt the microclimate of the room.

Cryogenic blasting

cryogenic blasting cleaning
A type of chemical cleaning. A method that appeared relatively recently. Efficiency and gentle impact are the main reasons why it deserves special consideration. Dry ice is used, which gives the full cleansing effect.

Dry ice is fed into the air duct using a special installation. The substance comes into contact with the walls, after which active evaporation begins. The surface of the shaft itself remains undamaged, and the plaque is removed. When decomposed, the active substance becomes carbon dioxide, after which it is removed automatically, like dust.

You should study the instructions in advance to make it easier.

Causes of blockages

Identifying and eliminating the causes of blockages allows you to avoid their occurrence in the future. In fact, the likelihood of formation is associated with a number of reasons. Let's look at the ones that happen most often.

Dust, dirt, grease

The simplest and most common cause of clogged ventilation is a high concentration of these components. Contaminants accumulate on the ventilation grille, both from the inside and outside.

This happens due to narrow ventilation ducts and the installation of a decorative mesh grille over their opening. The smallest particles gradually settle on their surface, forming a single layer of mud.

Dust, dirt and grease on ventilation Source pinimg.com

Healthy! The solution to the problem is to dismantle and wash the mesh grill.

Masonry collapse

The occurrence of such a problem is one of the most difficult. Most often this happens in old multi-storey buildings. In this case, you will have to undertake a major overhaul of the canal. How this will happen: independently or with the help of specialists - it all depends on the specific situation. Sometimes removing construction debris may not be possible due to the design of the building.

Densely clogged ventilation duct Source siteapi.org

Animals, birds

Most often this happens in the cold season. During this period, warm air comes out of the roof (attic) vent. This attracts pigeons, sparrows and cats. Sitting at the end of the pipe, they fall inside and get stuck there, forming a kind of traffic jam.

A bird that flew into a ventilation duct Source pbs.twimg.com

Interesting! Another cause of blockage may be a nest built directly in the “heating” pipe. In some cases - chicks that have fallen out of it.

Connecting a kitchen hood

Often cleaning of indoor ventilation ducts is associated with incorrect connection of the kitchen hood to it. The reason for the malfunction is that the throughput of a conventional ventilation pipe is no more than 90 m3/h. The power of electric exhaust devices is more than 10 times higher than declared. As a result of excess pressure created in the channels, the air flow can be pushed into the neighboring apartment.

Kitchen hood as a reason for improper ventilation Source goskrep.ru

Healthy! This reason is easy to determine - foreign odors appear in the room. Most often these are the aromas of a dish being prepared by neighbors.

Plastic windows

Full operation of the ventilation system is only possible if the room has a stable supply of fresh air. This happens mainly through windows (wooden or special, ventilation holes on plastic ones). If this does not happen, the result is manifested in fogging and the appearance of mold on their surface.

Device for ventilation of plastic windows Source ventec-rus.ru

Healthy! The solution to the problem is to replace windows or regularly ventilate the room.

Seasonal reasons

This factor is explained by the difference in temperatures inside and outside. We have known since school that warm air tends to rise. Accordingly, in winter, ventilation ducts work better, since warm room air rushes into them. In summer, the efficiency of the canals decreases. Therefore, the deficiency must be compensated for by regular ventilation or the installation of forced ventilation (a special fan that is installed instead of a grille).

Useful tips and tricks

Let's start by giving the main advice - you cannot clean the ventilation in the apartment yourself. But if there is no other way out, then do not climb into the vertical riser. Your options are limited, so you can only clean the horizontal ventilation duct that connects the shaft to the apartment. Now you know how to do this.

Sometimes apartment owners themselves are to blame for the fact that internal air exchange is reduced or completely absent. During the repair process, they cover the ventilation openings with finishing materials. Firstly, this cannot be done. Secondly, if this does happen, then try to correct the situation and bring it back to normal. Otherwise, you cannot avoid high humidity, unpleasant odors, mold and fungi.

If you nevertheless decide to clean the air ducts yourself, then try to prepare thoroughly for this event. To do this, you will need the tools and accessories described above, as well as a reliable stepladder.

Who should clean the ventilation in apartments?

Before you clean the ventilation yourself, you should know that this responsibility lies with the service company. This requirement is approved by the content of Chapter. V Art. 5.7 Resolution of the State Construction Committee of the Russian Federation dated September 27, 2003. The document also clearly states other obligations that the management company undertakes to fulfill. The work is included in the list of planned works, and the frequency of their implementation is approved at a meeting of representatives of the house.

Some design parameters and the efficiency of residential ventilation are regulated by a number of standards:

• GOST 30494-2011, the content of which characterizes the requirements for the microclimate of premises.
• SP 60.13330.2012, which sets out a set of rules indicating the characteristics of ventilation.
• SP 55.13330.2016 and SP 54.13330.2016, which also characterize the requirements for the operation of ventilation systems and refer to the above-mentioned Code of Rules.

Application procedure

As mentioned a little earlier, if non-functioning ventilation is detected, residents of an apartment building have the right to contact the office of the management company with their question. To do this, you need to write a statement indicating the number of the house and apartment in which the problem was discovered.

The visiting specialist will have to perform the following work:

• Measure the draft near the hole (in the apartment).
• Carry out similar activities inside the channel.
• Carry out the range of necessary work: preventive cleaning, disinfection or repair.

Important! The issue of cleaning the ventilation shaft clearly defines the responsibilities of the parties. Even if the management company does not have specialists on its staff who are involved in solving this problem, it is obliged to hire third-party contractors and fulfill its obligations in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Historical retrospective

Until the end of the 18th century, air ventilation was reduced to the banal ventilation of rooms, rooms or halls. All that was required was to open the door or windows. And there was no need to clean the ventilation. At a certain stage in the development of society, this state of affairs suited everyone. House owners turned a blind eye to the dirt and dust that freely penetrated into their houses.

Chimney cleaning was paid decently, and chimney sweeps were respected in society

The emergence of something new is certainly accompanied by the emergence of related problems. This rule turned out to be valid for the system under consideration. A new task arose - cleaning the ventilation. Brick air exchange wells were laid out in the usual way, by analogy with a stove chimney, and therefore after several months of active use, the hole was “overgrown” with sedimentary rocks from cobwebs, dust, soot and insects.

Chimney sweeps used metal “hedgehogs” to remove soot

The development of technology and an increase in the standard of living of the population contributed to the formation of a new profession for that time - chimney sweep. The frequency of cleaning was high, due to the prevalence of stove heating and fireplaces, and therefore the occupation turned out to be very profitable, although dusty.

How to clean the ventilation with your own hands

The question of how to clean the ventilation with your own hands remains relevant for a long time. We remind you that this should be handled by the management company, but if it does not fulfill its duties, you can follow these steps:

• Remove the ventilation grille. Wash it with detergent to remove oil and grease deposits. If necessary, soak for a while.
• Remove cobwebs with a broom or damp cloth.
• Scrape off mud deposits from the canal walls. It is best to use a spatula or other hard object for this.
• Take a long wire, tie a brush to it and try to clean the walls that are out of reach of your hands.
• At the final stage of cleaning the ventilation ducts, you need to insert the vacuum cleaner hose inside and collect the accumulated particles of dirt and debris.

How to clean the ventilation yourself Source proffstroygroup.ru

Important! When cleaning the ventilation shaft, try to work so that loose particles do not fall down. The best way is to use a vacuum cleaner for this, which should be turned on throughout the entire work. A powerful air flow will pick up particles as they separate from the walls and suck them inside.

Methods for removing pollutants

Currently, ventilation and air conditioning systems are cleaned in three ways:

• mechanical removal of dirty deposits from vertical channels;
• automated dry cleaning of air ducts;
• combined foam washing.

Foam (pictured left) and dry (right) method of cleaning the internal walls

The first option is used for punching vertical shafts in multi-storey buildings. Having climbed to the roof, the performer lowers a weight with a metal brush or brush inside the air duct. A layer of dirt and grease is torn off from the brick (concrete) walls mechanically, the waste falls into the “pocket” of the shaft or is raked out into the apartment through the opening.

The remaining two options are more effective because they are implemented using modern technology. The equipment allows you to work on industrial air ducts of any configuration and various installation methods. There is no need to completely disassemble the ventilation.

Which is better: on your own or with the hands of professionals?

Cleaning ventilation shafts in an apartment building requires certain skills and specialized equipment. It is not possible to carry out the entire scope of work independently due to the large length of the air duct pipeline (the length of the channel is equal to the number of floors of the building with access to the attic space).

Thus, it is physically impossible for an ordinary person to clear dust, soot and other debris that has accumulated in it over many years. Therefore, when local traffic jams form, it is recommended to contact specialists.

Employees engaged in such work at a professional level have all the necessary equipment to quickly and efficiently complete the work. The problem is solved with the help of automatic brushes, flexible cables, and devices for removing plaque. Visual control of cleaning and the result obtained is carried out using a compact wireless camera, which is lowered into the channel. When carrying out professional cleaning, the walls of the pipeline are treated with a detergent disinfectant, which prevents the formation of fungus and mold.

Which is better: with your own hands or with the help of specialists Source cleaning.gryazi.net

Healthy! The cost of cleaning ventilation ducts starts from 1,500 rubles. and depends on the length and volume of work performed. Although all financial nuances associated with payment for their services must be taken care of by the management company.

Stages of the cleaning procedure

1. Contact the managers of our company and arrange for the experts to arrive at a time convenient for you.
2. The specialist examines the condition of the air ducts, assesses the scope of work, and determines the cleaning method. The cost of cleaning hoods depends entirely on the complexity.
3. An agreement is concluded for one-time or regular maintenance of the ventilation system.
4. At the agreed time, the company’s technicians clean the air duct.
5. Upon completion of the procedure, a certificate of completion of work is issued; all documentation complies with state standards.

Aquatechno specializes in servicing all engineering systems of industrial, administrative and residential buildings. A guarantee is provided for all types of work.

Poor circulation inside the apartment

Poor air circulation in an apartment (house) can lead to the formation of fungus and mold. In this situation, owners are forced to regularly open windows and doors for ventilation and fresh air flow.

There may be several solutions in this case:

• Trim the bottom edge of the door by 2-3 cm.
• Install special ventilation grilles in the lower part of the door leaf.

Healthy! If the first option is possible as a last resort and cannot be used with all types of doors, the second is universal.

Air Duct Cleaning Devices

Utility services use several units to clean the ventilation system:

• powerful industrial vacuum cleaners;
• electromechanical equipment;
• reagents and chemical compositions;
• purification devices with several filters;
• vacuum installations;
• brush pneumatic drive units.

Flexible shafts can be used to clean the air channels yourself. They should be attached to a drill or screwdriver.

You can also make a ruff yourself. You will need 5-6 plastic bottles of the same size, from which you need to cut off the bottom. Then use scissors to cut strips from the bottom to the neck. The width of each should be from 4 to 5 mm. All received workpieces should be secured with nuts, washers, and bolts with caps. The weight can be made from lead, an iron can and a steel rod. All that remains is to string steel tubes 90 cm long onto a plumbing cable and screw them to the head

In the apartment, you will also need a vacuum cleaner or a broom with a long handle, a wire with a metal hedgehog on the handle, rubber gloves, and a respirator.

Ventilation system for a private house

A ventilation system in a cottage is necessary for the same reasons as in an apartment. Using the pipeline, carbon dioxide-filled “exhaust” air is replaced with fresh air from the street. This can be done using one of two methods:

• Installation of a system with natural circulation. In this case, air movement is carried out due to the difference in pressure inside and outside the room. It can be classified by the presence of adjustable valves. On this basis it is divided into organized and unorganized.
• The device of a ventilation system with forced movement of air masses. Accompanied by the installation of fans. The method is more effective, but is energy dependent; if the power goes out, the system will not be able to work.

Cleaning cottage ventilation ducts

Before you clean the cottage ventilation, you should understand its design features and evaluate whether you can cope with your plans on your own. In fact, the air duct of a country house differs from those installed in apartments located in high-rise buildings. If in the latter case a vertically located channel is meant, stretching across all floors, here the device may be different.

Most often, the ventilation ducts of a cottage are combined into a single main and disperse across the rooms in a horizontal arrangement. This design increases their length and complicates cleaning activities.

Design of a ventilation system for a country house Source iceholod-service.ru

Healthy! For example, the installation of ventilation ducts built according to the diagram shown in the image will not allow cleaning without partially disassembling the pipeline or contacting specialists.

Some features of self-cleaning

As mentioned a little earlier, cleaning the ventilation ducts of a country house can be difficult due to their length and the large number of branches. This problem can only be solved if, already at the installation stage, you consider the possibility of disassembling the pipeline without damaging the components. This is not difficult to do, but in the future it will allow you to clean the ventilation duct yourself.

Self-cleaning method for pipelines Source mosecoservice.ru

For example, by dismantling a bend located on the attic or attic floor, you will have free access to descending branches and will be able to remove debris from them without much difficulty. Upon completion of the work, the pipeline is reassembled and continues to function with greater efficiency. If it is impossible to disassemble the system, you will have to use the services of specialists.

Cleaning procedure

Next, proceed to perform the following actions:

1. Clean kitchen furniture.

It is necessary to get rid of all items that may restrict access. To prevent debris from falling on the floor, cover the surface with newspapers.

1. Remove the grate.

In this case, there are fewer problems with further cleaning of the channels. If the structure itself is heavily soiled, replacement is required.

1. Cleaning.

The procedure begins. You need to put on gloves and then start removing the debris located inside. The main thing is to act carefully so as not to run into what is inside. The hood power does not affect this.

cleaning ventilation with the help of a specialist

Current legislation indicates that such work is carried out only by organizations that have received the necessary license. In residential buildings, inspection and cleaning are organized when traction is clearly insufficient or is completely absent. After completing the renovation and internal redevelopment, such procedures are also indispensable.

Typically the frequency is two to three times a year. Upon completion, an act with a hologram and seals is drawn up. It includes the following information:

• Description of the condition of the caps and other similar elements.
• Protective grilles.
• Condition of seams. They are relevant for brick channels.
• Presence of traction.
• Internal partitions and their features.
• Blockages and rubble.
• Tightness of the structure.
• Design features.
• Places worth visiting.
• Chimney material.
• Installation dimensions.

extractor hood to improve ventilation
In older homes, even cleaning is often not enough to improve performance. It is necessary to apply other solutions to enhance performance. There are methods that are available to literally every owner who wants to remove debris and get better results.