An air duct cleaning technician needs to be aware that there are often wires inside of air ducts. While it is no longer allowed in current building codes, many older homes have wires that run through the ventilation system. It was once a common practice by many home builders to run thermostat, humidistat and other wires through ducts and ventilation trunk lines.
Air Duct Cleaning Technicians Need To Put Safety First
Some homeowners even run cords and wires in the ducts for the sake of convenience. When drilling holes and operating pneumatic agitation tools, an air duct cleaning technician needs to look for wires to avoid damage and personal injury. Unfortunately in these situations, air duct cleaners with rotary brush systems tend to tangle up wires with their tools. This has resulted in thermostat wires and other wires being ripped out. When this happens, the thermostat wires must be replaced and rerouted from the furnace back to the thermostat. All this repair work will cost additional time and money plus inconvenience to the customer. A homeowner will not be happy when their furnace is not working due to someone else’s carelessness.
If the wire was a coaxial TV cable, it could cause damage to a cable box or television on the other side of the house. Additionally, the cable wall outlet may be damaged along with drywall and paint. Ripping out a live electrical wire in a duct could also lead to a fire, electrocution and death.
A well-trained Ventilation Maintenance Technician (VMT) will look for wires in ducts, pannings and truck lines. A borescope or other camera can be helpful in observing wires and other objects in the HVAC system. When wires are found, the technician can switch to a non-rotary tool that is less likely to become tangled. Professional, courteous service will include technicians that educate homeowners about any wires inside their HVAC system that they may not be aware of.
We must recognize wires may be present in ventilation duct-work. Also, homeowners should be made aware that running wires through the ducts is not allowed in current building codes and should be avoided. Lastly, hiring a well-trained and insured professional duct cleaning company is a better option than hiring a coupon book amateur.
Put Safety First | Contact Planet Duct
At Planet Duct, we have taken the time to invest in our team’s education and training as well as the best HVAC cleaning tools in Colorado Springs. Our experienced technicians understand and value the importance of keeping homeowners and their team safe while never cutting corners to get the job done right. All of our professional services come with the satisfaction of knowing that our team strives to save you money in a safe manner. Contact us today to schedule a service or fill out our easy, online form for a free estimate!
