Commercial Air Duct Cleaning in Churches

Churches and other houses of worship, due in part to their large rooms and high ceilings, often have vast and complex air duct systems that typically consist of a combination of large rectangular ducts (often interior-insulated), flex ducts (often exterior-insulated), and sometimes transite ducts. Cleaning these vast systems requires experience and expertise.

Chapels and other high-ceilinged rooms in churches often feature transite or in-slab ducts. Cameras are usually necessary to ensure a proper cleaning of transite ducts, as visibility inside the duct is greatly restricted. Additionally, because transite ducts are underground, they are subject to cracking, moisture intrusion, and mold. Cracks resulting from shifting ground allow dirt to penetrate the duct, and with it, moisture. At this point cleaning would not suffice and repair of the ducts would be necessary.

It is common for churches and other houses of worship to have interior-insulated ducts for the purpose of sound attenuation. Recently, a local church called to request commercial air duct cleaning. Clergy and parishioners were noticing black dust collecting on the ceiling, and falling onto the altar and pews. On examination, our project managers discovered that foam-like insulation inside the air ducts had deteriorated and fallen, collecting inside the supply diffusers and disintegrating into a fine dust. This dust emanated from the diffusers and spread throughout the church.

During the cleaning project, the first task was to remove the insulation. To accomplish this the technicians connected an industrial containment system to the supply diffuser and sent in a multi-tentacled air whip to break up the insulation and send it toward the vacuum. All interior components, including pneumatic dampers and turning vanes were cleaned as well.

Because the insulation on interior-insulated ducts is relatively fibrous and porous, over time it is subject to sloughing off and its particles becoming airborne. This dark dust is not only unsightly but also reduces indoor air quality.

In commercial settings with interior-insulated ducts, it is common practice after duct cleaning to apply a duct sealant that forms a smooth, hard, protective coating over the insulation.

In our local church project, once the main trunk lines, off-runs, and all components had been cleaned and the system was free of insulation dust, the final step was to seal the porous duct board in the trunk lines. Wearing personal protective equipment and armed with an airless sprayer, the technician applied a uniform coating of IAQ 8000.

Whether the commercial space in question is a church or an office, the telltale sign that the air ducts need attention is dust collecting around the supply diffusers. Your local HVAC cleaning company can provide an on-site estimate to assess the need for cleaning and consult with you on the scope of work.

Let us show you how we can work together to ensure optimal results for your HVAC cleaning project.