Portland Air Duct Cleaning - Breathe Better
Years of dust, allergens, mold spores, and wildfire residue build up inside your ducts. We pull it all out with HEPA-filtered equipment so your system runs cleaner and your air is actually worth breathing.
What's Actually Building Up in Your Ducts
What Accumulates in Ducts
- •Dust and dirt particles
- •Pet dander and hair
- •Pollen and allergens
- •Mold spores and mildew
- •Construction debris and sawdust
- •Rodent droppings and nesting materials
Health & Performance Impact
- •Circulates allergens throughout home
- •Worsens asthma and allergies
- •Reduces HVAC system efficiency
- •Increases energy bills
- •Creates unpleasant odors
- •Shortens equipment lifespan
Duct Cleaning = Better Indoor Air Quality
Your HVAC system circulates air through your home every heating and cooling cycle. If ducts are dirty, you're breathing contaminated air with every breath. Professional duct cleaning removes these contaminants and restores clean air circulation.
When It's Time for a Duct Cleaning
Recommended Schedule
- • Every 3-5 years for maintenance
- • After home renovation/remodeling
- • Moving into previously occupied home
- • Visible mold growth in ducts
Health-Related Triggers
- • Unexplained allergies or respiratory issues
- • Asthma symptoms worsening
- • Excessive dust on surfaces
- • Musty odors from vents
Performance Issues
- • Higher than normal energy bills
- • Uneven heating/cooling
- • Reduced airflow from vents
- • Noisy ductwork
Contamination Events
- • Pest infestation (rodents, insects)
- • Water damage or flooding
- • Heavy pet dander buildup
- • Construction dust accumulation
How We Clean Your Ducts (4-6 Hours)
Inspection & Assessment
Camera inspection of ductwork to assess contamination levels and identify problem areas. We document conditions before and after cleaning.
Access Point Creation
Carefully cut access holes in ductwork (typically 4-6 inches) to allow thorough cleaning. These are professionally sealed after completion.
Negative Pressure Cleaning
High-powered HEPA vacuum creates negative pressure at furnace, preventing dust spread. We use commercial-grade equipment, not cheap shop vacs.
Agitation & Removal
Rotating brushes and compressed air agitate debris. All contaminants are captured by our HEPA vacuum system and safely disposed.
Sanitization (Optional)
EPA-approved antimicrobial treatment applied to duct interiors. Effective against mold, bacteria, and microbial growth.
Sealing & Final Inspection
All access points sealed with mastic and metal tape. Final inspection ensures complete restoration. We clean work area thoroughly.
Duct Sealing for Maximum Efficiency
Why Seal Ducts?
- •Prevents conditioned air loss through leaks
- •Improves energy efficiency 15-30%
- •Reduces dust infiltration from attic/crawlspace
- •Eliminates hot/cold spots in rooms
- •Lowers heating and cooling costs
Often Combined with Cleaning
We recommend combining duct sealing with cleaning for maximum benefit. Clean ducts are easier to seal properly, and sealing prevents future contamination.
Combined Service: $400-$800 additional to duct cleaning
Portland-Specific Duct Cleaning Concerns
Crawlspace Ducts
Portland homes often have ducts in crawlspaces exposed to moisture and pests. These accumulate mold spores and rodent debris. Cleaning requires specialized access and moisture control.
Crawlspace ducts are prone to moisture-related mold growth due to Portland's wet climate.
Attic Ducts
Attic ducts collect dust from insulation, debris from roofing, and can be accessed by rodents. Older Portland homes may have deteriorated ductwork needing repair during cleaning.
Attic ducts in Portland homes often need sealing to prevent dust infiltration from aging insulation.
Older Portland Homes
Homes built before 1990 may have decades of accumulated dust, pollen, and construction debris. Flexible ductwork may need replacement. These homes often see the biggest improvement from professional cleaning.
Older homes benefit most - decades of buildup significantly impacts air quality and system efficiency.
New Construction Dust
Recently built or remodeled Portland homes have drywall dust, sawdust, and construction debris in ducts. This should be cleaned before occupancy to ensure healthy indoor air.
New construction duct cleaning is essential - build debris affects air quality and system performance.
What We DON'T Do (Red Flags to Avoid)
❌ Cheap Shop-Vac Methods
We don't use inadequate shop vacuums that can't create proper negative pressure. This spreads dust rather than removing it. Professional equipment is required for effective duct cleaning.
❌ Mold Treatment Scams
We don't charge extra for "mold treatment" or use unnecessary chemicals. If mold is present, we identify it and recommend proper remediation. No scare tactics or upselling.
❌ Duct Damage
We don't use aggressive methods that damage ductwork. Our careful process preserves your duct system while thoroughly cleaning it.
❌ Unnecessary Chemicals
We don't spray chemicals unnecessarily. EPA-approved antimicrobial treatments are available but only when needed and requested.
Duct Cleaning Cost in Portland
Standard Home
$400-$600
1,500-2,500 sq ft
- • Complete duct cleaning
- • Before/after inspection
- • Access point sealing
- • 4-6 hour service
Large Home
$600-$900
3,000+ sq ft
- • Extended duct system
- • Multiple stories
- • Complex layout
- • 6-8 hour service
Duct Sealing Add-On
$400-$800
Additional service
- • Seal all duct leaks
- • Improve efficiency 15-30%
- • Reduce energy costs
- • Prevent future contamination
What Changes After a Duct Cleaning
Cleaner Indoor Air
Reduced dust and allergens circulating through your home
Fewer Allergy Symptoms
Less sneezing, congestion, and allergy-related discomfort
Better Airflow
Improved airflow from vents, more even heating/cooling
Lower Energy Bills
More efficient HVAC operation, especially with sealing
Eliminated Odors
No more musty smells or dust odors from vents
Less Dust on Surfaces
Reduced dust accumulation throughout your home
Duct Cleaning FAQs
How often should I have my ducts cleaned?
Every 3–5 years for a typical Portland home. If you have pets, smokers, or anyone with allergies, bump that to every 1–2 years. After remodels or wildfire seasons, cleaning sooner makes sense too. We'll look at your ducts and give you an honest recommendation.
Will duct cleaning help my allergies?
Yes — removing years of accumulated pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores from the duct system makes a noticeable difference for allergy sufferers. Most customers tell us they feel the improvement within the first day or two.
How long does duct cleaning take?
4–6 hours for a typical home. Larger houses or complex duct layouts may take 6–8 hours. That covers inspection, cleaning, optional sanitization, and sealing if you want it. We work clean and keep disruption to a minimum.
Is duct cleaning messy?
Not messy at all on your end. We use HEPA vacuums and contain everything at the work site. You might see some light dust when we cut access points, but we clean the area thoroughly before we leave.
Should I also have my ducts sealed?
We usually recommend it. Sealing while the ducts are open prevents air loss, improves efficiency 15–30%, and stops dust from getting pulled back in. Especially important in Portland homes with crawlspaces or attics. The added cost pays for itself through energy savings.
How much does duct cleaning cost in Portland?
$400–$600 for a standard home (1,500–2,500 sq ft). Larger homes run $600–$900. Duct sealing adds $400–$800. Price depends on home size, duct complexity, and whether you add sealing. Upfront pricing — no surprises on the bill.