Although it may seem unimportant, keeping your ductwork clean can improve your HVAC system's function by up to 40%. Furthermore, it significantly improves indoor air quality - a top priority for many people suffering from respiratory problems. 

Although most systems only require professional cleaning every 5-10 years, knowing how to inspect and personally clean your duct work is essential home maintenance knowledge.

Air Duct Inspection

What is an Air Duct System in Your Home?

Most homes have an air duct system that helps circulate air throughout the house. The air ducts are usually made of metal or plastic, and are connected to vents in each room. The air ducts are designed to move air from the furnace or air conditioner through the house and into the vents. This helps evenly distribute the air and keep the house at a comfortable temperature. Air duct systems can also be used to circulate fresh air from outside.

Why Should Air Ducts Be Inspected?

Air ducts are an essential part of any home, and it is important to ensure they are kept in good working order. Over time, air ducts can become clogged with dust and debris, which can reduce air flow and cause the system to work less efficiently. In addition, air ducts can also become damaged or disconnected, which can lead to air leaks. 

Therefore, it is important to inspect your system regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly.

An inspection can help locate:

  • The cause of noises in your duct work
  • Dust and dirt buildup
  • Air leaks
  • Other blockages

How to Conduct an Air Duct Inspection

A simple visual inspection can reveal problems within eyesight, but ductwork can run up to 100'. To successfully inspect those out of reach areas, you will need better equipment than a cellphone, camera, or mirror. Using one of the tools from the list below will help you conduct a professional air duct inspection and identify any issues that need to be corrected:

  1. Start the inspection near the main unit. Turn the unit on and check the insulation around the supply ducts for movement. The insulation doesn't seal the duct work, it is there to prevent heat loss. If the insulation is moving, it means you have a leak in the ducts. To repair it, you must remove the insulation first, seal the leak, and replace the insulation.
  2. Inspect each register where the air enters the room.
  3. If the registers are dirty, they can be removed from the wall or floor and cleaned with a dry paper towel. If they haven't been cleaned in a few years, you may want to clean them in the sink. It won't hurt them. Check the return air register as well. It may be easier to use a vacuum cleaner on the return vent to remove the dust and buildup.
  4. Moving on, shut your heat/ac unit down and feed the borescope into the duct work, while watching the screen to detect any issues. If the borescope has a counter included, mark the register you are inspecting and the depth of the probe, so you can return to make any repairs or clean out any buildup. You may want to attach a hook or magnet to the camera head to retrieve unwanted items you find in the ducts while performing the inspection.

Three Professional Pipe and Duct Camera Systems

1. Pipe & Duct Recording Video Inspection Camera/Borescope with 100 Ft. Probe & Field Replaceable Camera Head

Three Professional Pipe and Duct Camera Systems

Our DPS16-R30 Video Inspection Camera/Borescope is perfect for examining ductwork and the inside of water and sewer pipes that are 2, 4, or 6 inches in diameter. The IP68-rated probe is 100 feet long and has a replaceable 28mm camera head.

  • Can view items as close as .4 of an inch
  • Camera head contains 8 LED lights, to provide great illumination of the ducts
  • Console allows the inspection to be recorded
  • Comes in a hardshell carrying case for easy and safe storage

2. Borescope Video Inspection Cameras Pipe & Duct Inspection Cameras 72 Ft. Pipe & Duct Inspection Probe & Reel Set

Borescope Video Inspection Cameras Pipe & Duct Inspection Cameras 72 Ft. Pipe & Duct Inspection Probe & Reel Set

General's P16PIP 72 Ft. Pipe & Duct Inspection Probe & Reel Set is for inspection of water and sewer pipes with diameters of 2, 4 or 6 inches, as well as ductwork. It can be used with any high-performance video inspection camera/borescope. The set comes with probe centering accessories and an IP68-rated probe that is 72 ft. (22m) long, with a 28mm (1.1 in.) diameter camera head on one end.

3. 20m Long x 10mm Diameter Pipe & Duct Probe for DCS600 Series Video Inspection Cameras/Borescopes

20m Long x 10mm Diameter Pipe & Duct Probe for DCS600 Series Video Inspection Cameras/Borescopes

The P610-20PR Pipe & Duct Probe for DCS600 Series enables DCS600 series systems to inspect the interior of pipes and ducts up to 65 Ft. (20m) long, making it more portable and compatible with #DCS600A, DCS605, DCS660, DCS665 and DCS665-ART systems.

Repairing the Leaks/Sealing the Duct Work

If you detect visible leakage and reach the problem area, use aluminum foil tape to seal the leaks. If there are leaks inside the walls that are inaccessible, you may need to contact a professional for more solutions.

General Tools Carries Professional-Grade Equipment for Homeowners and Contractors Alike

General Tools offers various professional grade tools that can help you conduct air duct inspections like a pro. With the right tools, you can easily identify any problems with your air duct system and correct them before they cause further damage. 

Contact us today to find the perfect tool for your needs!