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.
Checking and cleaning the ventilation grille
It is necessary for apartment owners to monitor the cleanliness and carry out timely cleaning of ventilation grilles. At least twice a year (in the spring and before the start of the heating season), it is necessary to inspect and clean the grilles. The owner of the premises has the power to independently carry out an external inspection, superficial cleaning of the grille and the accessible part of the ventilation duct. If it is difficult for the apartment owner to carry out this work independently, then it is necessary to contact specialized companies.
The ventilation grille is clogged with dust
Please note that if a mosquito net is installed in the grille, then with proper natural ventilation, the net will be partially or completely clogged with household dust within six months.
The responsibility for periodically checking the serviceability of the ventilation in your apartment, clearing various deposits in the ventilation ducts and eliminating possible blockages lies with the organization that maintains the apartment building.
If you are carrying out renovation work in an apartment, be sure to check the draft in the ventilation duct, replace the ventilation grille and inspect the condition of the ventilation duct behind it. The easiest and most affordable way is to point the phone camera up the ventilation duct. If the duct is visible blocked by construction debris, it is recommended to call a specialist to clean the ventilation duct.
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.
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).
Step-by-step process for cleaning ventilation
Now let’s talk about how to properly clean the ventilation in an apartment. A chimney sweep kit with a flexible shaft will greatly facilitate this task. You can find it in almost any hardware store or market. The brush-ruff must fit the size of the ventilation duct. It must be screwed onto a flexible shaft, and the other end secured in the chuck of a screwdriver or electric drill.
The device can be used in multi-apartment panel buildings. In such objects, ventilation shafts have the following structure: the individual duct of the apartment rises only to the height of the top floor, after which it moves into a wide common duct. And it is not possible to clog it, since the parameters are about 25x80 cm. Therefore, it is necessary to clean it only to the height of the upper floor.
Violation of operating standards, as well as errors made during design, are the main causes of poor indoor air quality. Dirt accumulated in the ventilation duct, as well as on the heating and humidifying elements, serves as fertile ground for microbes
Cleaning the ventilation system includes mandatory disinfection of parts of the installation, fan blades, silencers and valve surfaces. All work is carried out manually, including by specialized companies.
It’s easier to clear the blockage with two people:
- it is necessary to work with gloves and safety glasses;
- measure the length on the flexible shaft, which should be equal to the height of the floor plus the thickness of the ceiling;
- You can use electrical tape or other adhesive tape to mark;
- remove the ventilation grille;
- insert a brush attached to a flexible shaft into the ventilation duct;
- while one partner turns on the drill at low speed, the other must move the brush upward, guiding it with a flexible shaft;
- the location of the mark on the shaft opposite the entrance to the ventilation duct means cleaning the duct to its entire height;
- Without stopping the rotation, it is necessary to remove the shaft with the brush back.
The same method can be used in private houses and apartment buildings, but only on the top floor. In this case, the shaft is made of brick without a common channel. And each individual channel ends on the roof. To determine the length of the flexible shaft, the height of the floor, attic and ventilation duct located above the roof of the building must be taken into account.
Ventilation problems can also be caused by disturbances during the construction phase. Wooden ventilation ducts must be galvanized. The inner base is treated with felt and then plastered
Brick air ducts can be cleaned using a special brush on a rope, which is attached to a weight. Cleaning is carried out from the roof. The brush must be lowered into the channel.
But it's not that simple. It is almost impossible to independently determine which of the brick shaft channels leads to the apartment. There are two options: act blindly or find drawings of the ventilation shaft.
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.
Checking the draft and cleaning the exhaust openings yourself
Preparing for work
Before checking the draft, you must open the window. Take a lit candle, match or lighter and apply it to the ventilation grille. If the draft is good, the fire will lean towards the ventilation hole. In case of poor air flow, the fire will burn smoothly without hesitation. The second way to check traction is to apply a piece of paper to the grille. If there is traction, the paper will be pressed against the hole by the air flow.
What can and cannot be cleaned
Residents of apartment buildings and representatives of the Management Company do not have the right to clean the ventilation on their own - this is a requirement of sanitary legislation. In cases where it is impossible to wait for specialists, apartment owners can clean the horizontal ventilation duct themselves, but intruding into the vertical passages of the shaft is strictly prohibited.
Self-cleaning of ventilation ducts
Before carrying out work on cleaning the hood yourself, you need to carefully prepare. To do this, you need to remove the grille and then wash it, removing dust and dirt. Using a long-handled brush or brush, clean the walls of the ventilation duct along the entire length, wherever you can reach it. The open ventilation hole can be vacuumed to remove debris. After this, we check the draft using already known methods, and if it is there, then we put the grille in place.
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.
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.
Source
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.
Cleaning ventilation yourself: effective methods
- chemical reagents for dissolving stubborn stains in hard-to-reach places;
- electromechanical device;
- vacuum devices;
- devices equipped with several brush mechanisms operating on a pneumatic drive;
- powerful industrial vacuum cleaners.
A gas nozzle is several times greater in power and oxygen consumption than a gas stove burner. When installing the equipment, the hood was connected directly to the shaft to increase draft.
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.
