I never posted a video before. Hopefully I can do this. This is just a short clip. Those who want to see more video can several at Ram Air on You Tube [video=youtube;lSj0xCzLvqs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSj0xCzLvqs&feature=related[/video]
cleaning branch runs, especially the ones that vent up thru the floor like shown in that video, is very easy, and is exactly why that hart fellow shows it. its part of his marketing strategy. he also has some vids of doing ceiling vents using zip poles to hold up that clear plastic vac box. cleaning supply branch runs are quite easy to do, as long as the diffussers are easily removed from the walls, or where ever they are located! cleaning the return side of the hvac system is not as easy, although on mr harts website, the vid he has makes it appear to be easy. the return side requires some serious attention, and air pressure alone will not clean a large majority of them. mr harts promoting using the hvacs air flow is good to use, but not how he shows it. in fact, he is asking for trouble using its air flow to clean the return side that way. now he, as an experienced operator, can get away with it but that system in the hands of a novice, is a disaster waiting to happen! why is it that he does not show how the main trunk lines are cleaned using his system, or how plenums and AHU's are cleaned using his system? the reason is very simple................IT CAN NOT BE DONE!!! if the main trunks are not cleaned, and only the branches are cleaned, the job is half a$$ed! another thing..........not that i support the NADCA orginazition, there is no way NADCA will approve of that method of cleaning, yet he has the NADCA logo on his website! they approve the use of compressed air as a means of conveying the dust and debris within the duct system, but no way will they approve of the way mr hart suggests the return ducts are cleaned! AND, if NADCA does approve it, they are as useless as teets on a bull! scott w.'s suggestion does have merit in that the ramair system is better suited for new construction for removing saw dust and the like. but one must also understand the ramair system is one of the many products available to scott for resale and distribution, so of course he will speak positively of it. having seen it in action in his own home is good but not enough to truely see if this method holds water!!! i know cause i tried and used that method back in the '90's, and quickly realized the trunk lines, and return side, need some serious negative air and some serious aggitation to be properly cleaned! and most important, the hvac's air flow must be shut down in the process! this is not to say scott does not know what he speaks of. no, he in fact has been around this industry since water was invented, and is quite knowledgable in many areas! as a whole, the ramair system does have merit, and can possibly excell in the cleaning of dryer vents, but it will fall short in the hvac arena! mr hart needs to be truthful, if not to himself, at least to his customers, that his system has some serious limitations, and was born for dryer vent cleaning, and can be used in conjunction with negative air machines!
Can you buy that skipper ball RA to do Just dryer vents? I guess a better question is buy it separately from the marketing crap? Way to expensive as a packaged system for just dryer vents. Can anyone offer a close-up picture of the ball (head) ? please tell me I can make one from $10 in parts from hardware store. This question is not for Scott W. Lol sorry pal.
mr e, assuming you are going to use, and already have a compressor, you can assemble a killer vent cleaning system, and wont cost you diddly squat. go here------>www.nikro.com click on air duct cleaning, then click compressed air cleaning tools. there you'll find the most vast array of goodies one can ever need for cleaning vents, etc......
Very interesting. I've been thinking about duct cleaning as an add on service. But How many tools do you carry around. ?????
greendale, i'm a firm believer in that one can never have enough tools to do the job, as you know, many ways to skin the cat! specifically though, not as many tools as some folks realize. these are basics...... strong hepa vacuum/negative air machine agitation device(s) or compressor fogger corded/cordless drill(s) assorted hand tools/patching accessories lots and lots of common sense! i'm sure there are manufacturers/distributors down under who supply duct cleaning goodies plus most here in the states ship all over the world!
Not trying to burst the bubble here, but true professional duct cleaning companies use 6" hose, a much larger CFM machine and do a lot more cleaning as per interior furnace, including cutting hole in the ductwork by the furnace and replacing the sheet metal. Doing the "rotovac" or similar such as shown in this video using only 1 1/2" hose to extract is like comparing a Rug Doctor to a large truckmount. Sorry, just my opinion. If you're going to do a job, do it right.
I'm considering Learning to clean air ducts also. I have someone that will train me when I move back to Florida. I'm certain you will need a seperate vehicle unless your carpet van is carrying a portable. Alot of tools are good for any business as Bullets stated. Think, ladders,drop cloths, negative air machine and alot of other tools. I've been told you can get everything for around $5,000 not counting the seperate vehicle. I was told to get the abateman negative air machine.
Yea I've seen used negative air machines fairly cheap I heard you will need 3 or 4 if you get the portable ones. When I was researching I think you can go used and thrifty and piece it together and do alright for 5-7k without van.
I agree with bullets and Richard 100%. The system does not address the main runs or the convoluted return ducts that are far dirtier than the supply branch lines. Plus it does not address cleaning the furnace fan or AC coils. The whole system has to be cleaned to be done right.
