How to Clean Sawdust Out of Forced Air Ducts After Renovation
A renovation project can cause sawdust to settle everywhere in your home, including the forced air heating and air conditioning ducts. It is important to clean your air ducts so airborne particles are not distributed throughout the home when the furnace or air conditioner is running. With a few simple tools and a few hours time, you ducts can be cleaned. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Turn off the furnace or air conditioner at the thermostat to stop the flow of air from the ducts.
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Use a shop vacuum and thoroughly clean the area around the ducts so that dirt or sawdust does not fall into the duct when you remove the air duct grille.
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3
Remove the air duct grille in the affected area by turning the holding screws in a counter-clockwise direction.with a screwdriver.
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4
Slide the hose of a shop vacuum into the air duct as far as possible and turn the vacuum on. Work the hose around the sides of the duct. Remove the hose a few inches at a time and continue until you reach the top of the duct.
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Wipe any remaining residue off of the inside the duct with a damp cloth.
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Replace the air duct grille and tighten the holding screws.
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Repeat the above steps for all affected air ducts. Turn on the air conditioner or furnace when finished.
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Tips & Warnings
Some floor-mounted air duct grills can be removed by simply pulling them out of the floor by hand. Pry up on the side of the cover with a flat-bladed screw driver and pull the edge of the cover up with your fingers if necessary.
Replace the furnace filter after a renovation. Sawdust and dirt may have been pulled into the air intakes if the furnace was running during the renovation.
Remove the air intake grille covers and carefully wipe down any dust or dirt sucked into the system during renovation with a damp cloth. Use care not to damage the inside walls of the air intake.
