How to Clean Heating Ducts in Mobile Homes
Heat and air conditioning are delivered to each room of a mobile home through a network of ducts that are attached to vents. The ducts are usually constructed of aluminum tubes or rectangular shafts that run the length of the home. Double-wides are set up with two parallel ducts that are connected by a center segment. It gives the appearance of the letter H. The ducts need to be removed and periodically cleaned to avoid triggering allergy attacks when family members are mold-sensitive. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Vacuum cleaner with hose attachment
- Box-end wrench
- Sockets and ratchet wrench
- Garden pump sprayer
- Mold killing sanitizer
- String mop
- Garden hose with spray nozzle
- Heat and pressure resistant tape
- Bucket
- Dish-washing liquid
- Scrub brush
- Replacement air conditioner filter
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Instructions
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Preparing to Clean
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1
Turn off the central heat and air unit. Remove the vent and register covers by loosening the screws with a screwdriver. Turn the screws in a counterclockwise direction for removal.
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2
Suction out any loose dirt or debris using a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. Reach as far into the ducts as possible.
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3
Crawl under the mobile home and remove the bolts that hold the duct work in place. Do this by turning the bolts in a counterclockwise direction with an appropriate sized box-end or socket and ratchet wrench.
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4
Pull the ducts free from the vents with a gentle tug. Drag them out from under the mobile home and set them aside for cleaning.
Cleaning the Ducts
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5
Fill a garden pump sprayer with mold-killing sanitizer. Pump up the pressure and spray the cleaner down into the pieces of duct.
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Wet a string mop with water and push it down into the ducts. Scrub all areas of the inside surface thoroughly. Let the sanitizer soak on the ducts for a few minutes.
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Rinse the duct-work using a garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment. Let the ducts air dry for two hours.
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Reposition the duct-work back under the mobile home. Fit it snugly back into place. Use the wrench to turn the bolts back in the straps in a clockwise direction.
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Wrap each section with heat- and pressure-resistant tape. This will ensure there are no leaks in the duct system.
The Finishing Touches
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Soak each register and vent cover in one gallon of water mixed with 1 tbsp. of dish-washing liquid for one hour. Scrub with a cleaning brush and rinse with clear water.
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Pull the vent plate off the central unit and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Pull out the filter and vacuum the blower motor and coil. Replace the filter and close up the unit.
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Replace all of the register and vent covers. Secure them with the screws. Twist them clockwise to tighten. Turn the central unit back on.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid using products such as chlorine bleach to clean the ducts. Fumes can radiate throughout the home once the job is done.
Home improvement centers carry safe mold-killing sanitizers for duct cleaning.
Wear a dust mask and gloves when dealing with suspected mold.
Turn off the central heat and air unit before working on the ducts.
This job is difficult, especially with doublewide homes. If it seems too overwhelming, call a professional service. Be wary of professional services that make false claims. "Sales pitches for blow-and-go work often include sweeping but unsubstantiated claims about the health benefits of duct cleaning, claims of EPA certification or approval (both bogus) and recommendations for annual duct cleaning, which is uneccessary, as part of your annual appliance service'" states Mike McClintock of the Washington Post.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Camping â€" Mobilhome image by albillottet from Fotolia.com
