Ventilation cleaning equipment: varieties + how to choose the best on the market
The purpose of the ventilation system is to provide a comfortable atmosphere in the room.It is responsible for supplying clean air and removing waste air masses.
Over time, ventilation ducts and devices become clogged and cannot function normally. In this case, you need to get rid of accumulated deposits using special equipment for cleaning indoor ventilation. Timely maintenance will extend the service life and increase the operating efficiency of air ducts.
We will figure out when it is necessary to clean ventilation, describe effective technologies and features of the use of various equipment. In addition, we list the most popular manufacturers that produce equipment for servicing ventilation systems.
The content of the article:
Basic functions of ventilation
It is important to have an idea of the purpose of the ventilation system, as well as what parameters and characteristics it has.
Ventilation located in the room performs a number of functions:
- Evacuation of exhaust, polluted air and intake of new air from the street. In some situations, purification, ionization, cooling and heating of the air mass occurs.
- Various impurities and foreign odors are removed from the room.This has a beneficial effect on the well-being and performance of people in the room.
The air exchange system is able to fully cope with its functions when it is perfectly clean. For these purposes, it requires regular cleaning. It will increase the performance of equipment and eliminate the possible occurrence of allergic reactions in people due to the accumulation of dust and various impurities.
Features of the ventilation system
Not only dust escapes through the ventilation ducts, but also microbes, allergens, mold organisms, and fungal spores. Over time, they settle on the inside of the ventilation, from where they spread throughout the room. In addition, a dusty network is a conductor of fire and a source of suffocating fumes in the event of a fire.
Why is it necessary to clean ventilation ducts?
Timely cleaning of channels helps purify the air, regulates humidity and prevents the development of fungus and the appearance of black mold. It also allows you to create ideal microclimatic conditions in the room and deal with the problems of the engineering system.
In addition, cleaning ensures compliance with fire safety regulations. If dust and grease deposits are observed in the ventilation ducts, a fire may occur if a small spark occurs in the air duct. Moreover, the fire will spread quickly.
Cleaning air ducts allows you to comply with sanitary standards, on compliance with which the well-being and health of every person depends. Timely maintenance of ventilation ducts will ensure a favorable atmosphere and comfortable indoor microclimate.
This is important both in residential areas and in the workplace, where people spend a lot of time.
Frequency of maintenance of ventilation systems
Ventilation is a necessary element of residential, industrial, commercial and warehouse. If you do not take into account technical features, the ventilation system is conventionally divided into 2 types: natural and forced. Each of them needs constant cleaning.
It is carried out as the ventilation ducts become dirty or periodically for preventive purposes. In the second case, the procedures do not depend on the degree of contamination.
This option is more optimal, as it guarantees effective and long-lasting ventilation. It will also ensure a comfortable atmosphere in the room, while the ventilation system will fully perform its functions.
If all elements of the ventilation system are maintained regularly, the room will have perfectly clean air. A favorable microclimate has a positive effect on the health of people who live or work indoors.
Main signs of pollution
The ventilation system in the apartment must be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, dirt, dust and various deposits begin to circulate throughout the room with air currents, harming human health.
A number of signs indicate the need for cleaning:
- Dust and cobwebs constantly collect around the grille;
- the room is stuffy, although this has not been observed before;
- the next day after cleaning the apartment, dust accumulates on the floor.
To check system functionality in a small room, you can use the visual method, smoke or open flame. If there is insufficient draft, cleaning should be carried out.
To assess the condition of ventilation systems of large areas, special devices are used.
Technologies and methods of service delivery
The ventilation system ensures air circulation from the room and back. Universal equipment eliminates dirt and dust and allows you to keep the room clean. Air purification should be carried out both in production using industrial installations and in residential buildings.
An air purification system can solve various problems. Some of them are designed to get rid of some dust, others are designed to combat grease and fumes. Various deposits are observed on the internal walls of the equipment, depending on which the optimal option for carrying out service work is used.
Mechanical maintenance method
The cleaning procedure involves the use of special equipment - a vacuum cleaner, a brushing machine or a robot equipped with a video camera and special brushes. The mechanical method is fast and efficient, however, it is not suitable for removing fat deposits.
Its main advantage is safety for people working or living in the premises.By effectively removing contaminants from the walls of the air duct, the equipment does not cause damage to the elements of the ventilation system.
Chemical cleaning method
Using mechanical means it is not always possible to get rid of severe contamination. In kitchens of public institutions it is often necessary to use chemical cleaning of air ducts. This is necessary if there is a significant load on the ventilation system or the owner of the premises does not comply with equipment cleaning standards.
Cleaning is carried out by spraying special chemicals through the air duct.
The chemical method is the fastest and most effective. Its implementation requires preliminary preparation, since the cleaning agents used are toxic.
Other options for the procedure
The combined cleaning method is also called wet. It involves the use of chemical and mechanical cleaning methods, which are carried out in turn. The advantages of the method are high efficiency.
Among the disadvantages of this method of carrying out service work:
- quite high cost;
- it takes a lot of time to implement.
Another expensive cleaning option is cryogenic blasting. It involves using dry ice or soda.
The substance used is sent into the ventilation system through compressed air at high speed, where it crashes into the contaminated walls. As a result, a micro-explosion occurs, effectively destroying the plaque on the inner surface of the ventilation duct.
The disadvantage of blasting is that the procedure requires sealing the system and takes a lot of time. But this method allows you to effectively deal with deposits on the walls.
More often in practice, mechanical or combined cleaning is used. These techniques allow you to remove deposits of greasy deposits and dust from the internal walls of the ventilation system. Other methods are relevant in the presence of complex contaminants that simple means cannot cope with.
Types of equipment for servicing ventilation systems
Dust, dirt, grease and fungal accumulations accumulated inside the ventilation system are not always easily separated from the walls. This usually requires professional skills and special equipment.
There are several types of equipment for servicing the ventilation system: diagnostic and cleaning.
First, using a diagnostic device, the condition of the ventilation ducts is assessed. Based on the diagnostic results, materials and suitable equipment are selected.
In order for ventilation system cleaning to be effective, it is necessary to use only equipment that is designed specifically for a specific task. Depending on the purpose of use, it can be widely used (household) or professional.
Typical ventilation cleaning equipment includes brush sets, mobile ventilation units, and replacement filters.
A professional solution to the problem of ventilation contamination involves a thorough inspection of the ventilation system with special devices to identify the degree of contamination and to identify the most problematic areas.
Professional equipment for cleaning ventilation ducts includes a video camera that is installed on a small moving platform. Its task is to transmit a signal from the ventilation system. Professional devices allow you to perform a video inspection of ventilation to find out the degree of contamination.
Cleaning companies that specialize in working with air ducts use special equipment. It allows you to diagnose the degree of contamination and promptly clean the ventilation ducts.
One of the main advantages of the work of specialized cleaning organizations is that during ventilation cleaning, people who work or live in the premises do not feel discomfort.
When choosing equipment, you should take into account where the ventilation system is located:
- in apartment buildings or private country buildings;
- at public catering establishments (restaurants, cafes, canteens, bars, bakeries);
- in public and commercial buildings (shopping centers, offices, medical institutions);
- industrial premises.
For cleaning ventilation systems at industrial enterprises, in most cases, cleaning robots are used, equipped with video cameras and special brushes. The advisability of using this equipment depends on the degree of contamination of the ventilation duct.
Popular treatment plants
To carry out work on cleaning the ventilation system, it is necessary to use special equipment. It should effectively remove dirt deposits from the internal walls of the ducts and eliminate them from the room’s air duct system.
Equipment used for these purposes:
- powerful industrial vacuum cleaners;
- pneumatically driven brush installations;
- electromechanical units;
- vacuum devices;
- cleaning devices equipped with filters;
- chemical cleaning equipment and sprayers;
- dry ice blaster.
The equipment listed is used for various cleaning methods and is usually supplied by professional ventilation system service technicians.
Before starting the service, a system analysis is performed and preparatory procedures are carried out. Then specialists arrive at the site with a set of necessary equipment and consumables.
Vacuum cleaner. One of the most popular cleaning units is the high negative pressure vent cleaner. The device is connected to the outlet of the ventilation system. After turning on the unit, it begins to effectively suck up dirt that has separated from the walls during the cleaning process.
The vacuum cleaner is designed for cleaning work that requires the creation of a powerful air flow. This is necessary in ventilation systems that are large in length. The equipment removes dust, dirt and residues of products used during work from the system.
The vacuum unit is equipped with a powerful motor that can withstand the influence of the environment. It is equipped with a pocket and HEPA filter with a high degree of purification. This allows you to effectively and quickly clean the air from dust, microorganisms, mold, fungal spores, sawdust, asbestos, quartz and mineral wool.
Brush machine. It is used for the mechanical version of the ventilation system service. This machine, located on a moving platform, is placed in a dirty air duct. It removes dirty dust from the walls and is not designed for fatty deposits, which will quickly clog the brush fibers.
The equipment is equipped with a rotating brush that performs mechanical cleaning of the internal walls of the air duct. It can be effectively used for rectangular, round or vertical ventilation ducts.
Flexible shafts. They allow you to reach the most difficult to reach places: grilles, valves, pipes and outlets of the main channels. The devices are widely used for cleaning mines of apartment buildings.
For independent service of air channels, flexible shafts are used, connected to a source of rotation (drill or screwdriver).
Blaster. Innovative equipment is used in the blasting procedure. The device ensures gentle cleaning of internal ventilation surfaces from dirt.
It is a modern installation for supplying dry ice to the ventilation system and a sprayer. The abrasive is fed using a blaster under high pressure, and the process is identical to sandblasting.
In addition to devices, the market presents special chemicals and sprayers that destroy deposits accumulated on the internal walls of the ventilation system. Effective preparations are widely used for chemical and combined cleaning methods. They are especially in demand in factories and in the kitchens of catering establishments.
The products are applied using a special sprayer to the inside of the air ducts. The active components effectively break down fatty deposits and dirt, after which they are easily washed off from the walls.
Special mention should be made of equipment for teleinspection and video diagnostics. It is intended for conducting examinations and diagnosing the technical condition of vein canals.
Video research allows you to use a camera and monitor to see what is happening inside the duct.
Depending on the purpose and dimensions of the air duct, different television inspection equipment is used to diagnose the degree of contamination. It can be portable, self-propelled, pushed and floating.
Selection of equipment: attention to the manufacturer
According to the law, ventilation systems must be cleaned at least once a year. This will ensure a normal level of fire safety in food processing plants and in buildings where dirt and flammable materials accumulate.
Every 5 years, it is necessary to check the condition of the air duct in hotels, restaurants, medical and correctional institutions.
European-made devices
The microclimate in the room and the safety of people depend on the effective operation of the ventilation duct. Proper operation of the system involves regular cleaning of the air duct. When choosing the optimal equipment for cleaning ventilation, you should pay attention to the reliability of the manufacturers.
The best installations for cleaning ventilation from contaminants are presented on the market by European manufacturers. Market leaders offering a wide range of products are companies Goodway (USA), Pressovac And AirPower (Finland).
The equipment is of high quality and excellent performance. The downside of the products is their high cost.
Models from domestic manufacturers
A significant portion of consumers choose Russian-made cleaning equipment. It is much cheaper, although the quality of the equipment is impeccable.
When buying Russian equipment for cleaning ventilation, it is better to focus on large manufacturers that offer high-quality, world-class equipment. Products are in demand LLC "Equipment for Professionals", Probat Rus LLC.
Cleaning the air duct does not always help solve the problem; sometimes repairs are required - detailed information on restoring the ventilation system is given in the articles:
- Repair of ventilation systems: analysis of popular faults and ways to eliminate them
- Restoring ventilation: reasons for decreased efficiency and restoration of air ducts
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Video #1: Comprehensive cleaning of the ventilation shaft. The maintenance process consists of three stages: diagnosis, cleaning and disinfection.
Video #2: Ventilation system service using a robot.
Video # 3: Air duct cleaning technology using a flexible shaft.
According to research, about 40% of pollution enters a room due to poor-quality ventilation systems. This is due to untimely replacement of filters and the accumulation of dirt, grease and harmful substances on the inner walls of the air duct.
With the help of cleaning equipment service, clean air will begin to flow into the building and the optimal humidity level will be established.
Do you have experience cleaning ventilation in an apartment or private house? Please share information with our readers and suggest your way to solve the problem. You can leave comments in the form below.
I have read your findings and conclusions in detail. I don't agree with many things. It is not clear why you are positioning and highlighting Russian manufacturers Equipment for Professionals and Probat Rus.There is an impression that the article was paid for. Firstly, Equipment for Professionals LLC is not a manufacturer, but simply a seller. Secondly, Probat Rus sells equipment that, at first glance, is really cheaper, but this precisely characterizes their quality. Our cleaning partners had the “pleasure” of buying their equipment, and then regretted it three hundred times. It is also noted that brushing machines XL40 (Probat Rus) cost 614,000 rubles and this is without 20% VAT, so if you add 20% VAT, the price will be 736,800 rubles. And we bought a Finnish car P40 (Pressovac) for 761,300 rubles including VAT. And what is the difference - 24,500 rubles?
In one of the paragraphs, you indicate that the market leaders offering a wide range of products are Goodway (USA), Pressovac and AirPower (Finland). The equipment is of high quality and excellent performance. The downside of the products is their high cost. AND WHERE IS THE HIGH PRICE?
This is completely out of bounds: you write that a significant part of consumers opt for Russian-made cleaning equipment. It is much cheaper, although the quality of the equipment is impeccable. Our opinion: Of course, some people choose Russian equipment, but only those who always want something cheaper. But about the impeccable quality, I just want to laugh. Our cleaning partners bought this “impeccable quality” (Probat Rus LLC) and after 3 months they were already up, the equipment was heating up for some reason, stopped, and disrupted all the work. Even contacting the “Russian manufacturer” did not yield anything, because before they picked up the phone and promised to do something, but now (6 months later) they ignore all calls. It feels like I've been blacklisted.
Another paragraph from your article: “The mechanical method is fast and efficient, however, it is not suitable for removing fatty deposits.” Sorry, how is this not suitable? Again, we return to the Finnish Pressovac equipment and what do we see? Pressovac specifically offers brushing machines to remove any grease deposits. This is the same mechanical method, only using chemicals, active foam and different cleaning technologies. Yes, in this case, of course, brush washing machines are more expensive than conventional ones (for dry cleaning), but this is understandable.
Another paragraph: “Brush machine. It removes dirty dust from the walls and is not designed for fatty deposits, which will quickly clog the brush fibers.” This is the key point and description of equipment from a Russian manufacturer, such as Probat Rus. Of course, if you use the Probat brush and more, the brush will become clogged with grease. But if you use special equipment and special Pressovac brushes, there are no problems. Firstly, special equipment, and secondly, brushes for any dirt and any form of grease.
So, think again before making the right choice of equipment. And now we can confidently say that we bought Finnish equipment, it works really flawlessly, a large set of tools and accessories to solve any issues. So, if anyone needs advice or help in cleaning the ventilation, you can write to us by email. I will help as much as possible.
Hello Tamara! The article was not paid for and was written based on market research done by the author. Real reviews about this or that equipment are sometimes very difficult to find, so a special thank you very much for your story!
Alexey, if you have done market research and it’s hard to find real reviews, then what is his assessment based on? How could he not find out that the company “Equipment for Professionals” is not a manufacturer at all, but simply a seller of a large assortment of goods and spare parts? And your “Author” noted the company Goodway (USA) as a supplier with a wide range of products. And this is not true, because their equipment is only suitable for cleaning residential and country houses in America, and small air ducts in small businesses. And most importantly, for some reason your Author posted the “Probat” video, but where then is the video and equipment from the manufacturer “Equipment for Professionals”? And they just sell Probat equipment and that’s it. Why are there no videos from other suppliers and manufacturers in the article by your “Author”? And therefore Alexey, your author is an interested person. If anyone is in doubt, check out their website and the products they offer.
Brush machines:
— https://www.z-tec.ru/product/ochistitel-trub-ram-4x-50-dlya-trub-ot-25-4-mm-i-vyshe/
— https://www.z-tec.ru/product/aq-rv450/
Vacuum installations: https://www.z-tec.ru/product/aq-v2m/
Hello Tamara. Your review is as relative as this article. You have a feeling of being paid for, I have a feeling that there is also a feeling of being paid in a negatively competitive direction, in comments about Finnish equipment. Not about ventilation, but on the topic of the comment... I have a budget washing machine - Beko. The neighbor has it too. The neighbor shouts that Beko is just disgusting and not a washing machine, but I’m happy, it washes perfectly with 3 children. On Zen I was accused of paying for a review for melamine sponges - they say they clean badly.And I cleaned the whole house with them after the previous owners, ideally...
Articles are usually written based on consumer demand and their reviews, as well as sales statistics. If you have real statistics, post them. You can say that you are satisfied with Finnish equipment, but to argue that “Of course, someone stops at Russian equipment, but only those who always want cheaper” is generally strange... Where does this data come from?
Maria, good afternoon to you. It's not about the washing machine, that's not what we're talking about here at all. The point is a complex technical solution. Of course, there are washing machines and any home appliances with different budgets and different capabilities. The very fact of washing clothes does not change in the end (it is clear that they will be clean), but the advantages and capabilities distinguish these different models from each other. But your remark about Articles that are written based on consumer demand - Maria was very surprised here. This, my dear, is not a TV channel that is watched by residents of the city, but someone calls from the TV company and interviews them to make a rating. Where does this data come from, you ask? So from my own experience: “The miser pays twice.”
Good afternoon, Tamara. We are now choosing equipment for cleaning and disinfecting ventilation systems and would like to hear your competent opinion and advice on this matter. What equipment do you recommend and which supplier? Best regards, Maxim Ramazanov
Maxim, if you are interested, you can visit the websites of all the above-mentioned manufacturers yourself and choose the one that is acceptable for yourself in terms of price and characteristics.If you need more specific information, just call all the suppliers and talk to them, and then the conclusions will come to you. Good luck Maxim.
Hello, I want to start cleaning the ventilation ducts. But I think that there is definitely no money for Indian equipment at the initial level. Can you tell me where to start?
Funny comment from Tamara! It feels like it was written by the Pressovac seller himself in Russia. And now, gentlemen reading, I will tell you a terrible story!
In 2014, when we decided to clean not only sewers, but also ventilation, we bought Pressovac equipment for one million eight hundred. Fortunately, we managed to take the euro before the jump. The amount turned out to be impressive, so we decided to save on a compressor, which cost another 200 thousand. We bought a Russian compressor.
We went to the first object. The facility was good - three chain restaurants. They promised that if we worked well, we would be allowed into the 4th on a permanent basis. Already at the site it turned out that the compressor needed an adapter, which we did not have. It’s a small thing, but there’s no way to work without it. It turned out that the seller did not have the adapter either. The seller was “pleased” that the wait was 6 weeks. It was a failure! In order not to lose face, they hired another company. We were happy that at least we would break even. But it was not there. But more on that later.
The company that we contracted used a Probat alkaline machine. So we cleaned the first restaurant. Then we promptly bought the same brushing machine for ourselves and cleaned the second restaurant.
Trouble overtook us at the third facility. Our adapter arrived, and we decided to try out the Pressovak machine and clean the ventilation with active foam.In short, they didn’t turn on their brains! We filled the ventilation! It turns out to be leaky, unlike the sewer system, and you CANNOT pour water into it! It seems obvious now, but we didn’t know it then. The customer sued us, but everything was resolved through pre-trial settlement. We have restored ventilation in the restaurant. Of course, this network didn’t invite us anymore.
We used the Pressovak machine at another site. Of course, less foam was poured - conclusions were drawn. But trouble does not come alone. The machine broke down at the junction between the motor and the shaft. Now it stands in the garage in this form. Photo attached. We have been using a Probat brush and vacuum cleaner for five years. In 2017, we transported a shaft from a brushing machine to Probat. They charged us 1,500 rubles for repairs. Now the shaft is dead, but it works. We need to change it, of course, but we can’t get around to it. The vacuum cleaner is in perfect order. Something like that…
Also: What kind of brushes are those in Tamara’s comment that “don’t get clogged with grease”? Do they absorb it or something?
Hello, Maxim. Thank you for sharing your bitter experience with the readers. I wonder how long this equipment would last if you still took their compressor.
Alexei. The described adapter has nothing to do with the long-term operation of the machine. The point is not in the compressor and adapter, but in the fact that they violated the operating rules and supplied active foam of dubious content and quality through a machine that was not intended for this. That's why it broke for them. And we educate everyone who purchases equipment, especially in such subtleties.
Hello, dear Maxim.We have also familiarized ourselves with the Article, which is now being actively discussed, and we are very unpleasant that you have had some sad experience. But it should be noted that we saw several very important inconsistencies in your comment. Firstly, you write that our machine did not dock with your compressor and this became the first problem, but no one has such questions, because all European compressors have a Euro connector. And if you took a Belarusian, like Patriot, then all the connectors are there for connection. It's not true, Maxim. Secondly: In the photo you are actually using our equipment - it is a pneumatic machine, but it is in no way intended for the use of any chemicals or even water (only for dry cleaning and disinfection). Thirdly: - this is very important! In 2014, we did not manufacture or supply cleaning equipment for all types of cleaning (cleaning, washing, greasing, rinsing and disinfection - all in one). That’s why you killed the equipment yourself, and this can be seen with the naked eye in your photos. There is one last remark: You write that the machine broke down at the junction of the engine and the shaft. Maxim, how is this possible? At the junction there is a metal rod and valve cover where all the connections go. To break them, you just need to break or crush the valve cover (like with a tractor). What you describe can only happen in electric machines where the shaft is connected to the brush. And only in this case, with improper operation or a weak rod, the shaft can break.
I would really appreciate it if you could write to us directly about your experiences, broken equipment, etc.But judging by your review and the state of the equipment, you absolutely did not follow the operating rules and violated all the points prescribed by the manufacturer.
In order to clean any type of deposit, including any form of grease, you must have special equipment. Photo is also attached.