Short answer: yes. Renovations are one of the best reasons to clean your ducts. Drywall sanding, sawdust and plaster dust are pulled into the return ducts whenever the furnace runs during the work, and that fine dust is blown back into every room afterwards. Book duct cleaning once the dusty work is finished and before your final carpet and upholstery cleaning.
Why renovation dust ends up in the ducts
Your furnace pulls air from the house through the return grilles, filters it and pushes it back out. During a renovation, the air is full of fine dust. A standard furnace filter catches some of it, but fine drywall dust passes through or clogs the filter fast. The rest settles inside the return ducts, the blower and the supply runs. When the job is done and the furnace keeps running, the dust keeps circulating.
How to protect your ducts during a renovation
- Turn the furnace off during the dustiest work, such as sanding drywall, if the weather allows.
- Seal return grilles in the work area with plastic and painter’s tape.
- Close or cover supply vents in the work area.
- Change the furnace filter before, during and after the project.
- Ask your contractor to use dust extraction on sanders and saws.
The right order after a renovation
- Finish the dusty work, including final sanding and trim.
- Book air duct cleaning to remove the construction dust from the system.
- Replace the furnace filter.
- Clean carpets, rugs and upholstery once the dust has settled.
- Seal any new tile grout so it stays clean from the start.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after the renovation should I clean the ducts?
As soon as the sanding and cutting are finished. Waiting lets the dust circulate through the house for longer.
Does a small renovation count?
Any job with drywall sanding counts, even a single room. Kitchen and basement renovations usually create the most dust.
Will my contractor clean the ducts?
Usually not. General contractors clean up the work area, but duct cleaning takes specialized equipment.
Can drywall dust damage my furnace?
Heavy dust can clog the filter, coat the blower and make the system work harder. Change the filter often during the work and have the blower area cleaned afterwards.
Should I clean carpets before or after duct cleaning?
After. Duct cleaning can release some dust into the rooms, so do the floors last.
Is new-build duct cleaning the same?
Yes. New homes often have construction debris in the ducts before move-in. Read is duct cleaning worth it.
Finished a renovation in Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora or Newmarket? Call 647-676-0576 for a written quote.
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