Why is move-in a good time for a cleaning?
An empty house means no furniture to move, no rugs to protect and no one to work around. If anything is going to disturb dust, better that it happens before your belongings arrive. It is also the moment you have the least idea what has been going on in the system, since you do not know how it was used or maintained.
What should I check before deciding?
- Ask the sellers when the ducts and the dryer vent were last cleaned, and whether there were pets, smokers or a recent remodel.
- Look at the furnace filter. A filthy filter says something about how the system was cared for.
- Pull a register and shine a flashlight inside. A camera inspection can show you much more. See what a camera can show.
- Check the dryer vent hood outside for lint, nests or a missing flap.
A home inspection usually looks at the accessible parts of the heating system, not the inside of the ducts, so do not assume the inspector cleared them.
What about older homes?
Some older homes have insulation wrap or tape on the ducts that can contain asbestos. Do not disturb it. If your house dates from before the 1980s and the ducts are wrapped, have the material tested by a licensed asbestos professional before anyone cleans near it. Our guide to older Milwaukee home ducts goes into this in more detail.
When in the year should I do it?
Before the heating season is a sensible target, so the first time the furnace runs in your new home it is not blowing months of settled dust. In Wisconsin that means aiming for early fall. Dryer vents are worth sorting out right away, whatever the season.
Common questions
Should I ask the sellers when the ducts were last cleaned?
It does no harm, and the answer is useful even if it is "never" or "I do not know." Ask about pets, smoking and renovation too.
Does a home inspection include the ducts?
A typical inspection covers the accessible parts of the heating and cooling system and a visual look at registers and equipment. It usually does not look inside the ducts. Ask your inspector what is in scope.
Does a new-construction home need cleaning?
It can. Drywall dust and sawdust sometimes end up in the ducts during building. A look with a camera will show whether it is a problem. See our guide to air ducts after a remodel.
Which comes first, ducts or dryer vent?
The dryer vent. Lint is flammable and a blocked vent is a safety issue, so it is worth checking the day you move in.
Want a hand? See our cleaning services or where we work.