# How To Tell If You Need A Professional Duct Cleaning > You can't see into or access all ductwork in your house, so it can be difficult to know when duct cleaning is required. Here are some tips. ![air ducts, MetroWest Boston, Massachusetts](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Air-duct.gif "Air-duct")Are you considering having your ducts cleaned this year? ![air ducts, MetroWest Boston, Massachusetts](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Air-duct.gif "Air-duct") [Duct cleaning](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/professional-duct-cleaning.html) has become a popular choice for homeowners looking to decrease the amount of dust and allergens in their home, thereby improving their indoor air quality. Here are some important things to consider before deciding to have the ducts cleaned in your home. ## Determine the type of ductwork Determining [what kind of ductwork](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/designing-duct-system.html) is present in your home will help you be a more educated consumer. Fiberboard ductwork is very difficult to clean and in many cases will need to be replaced if it's contaminated with dust and dirt. Metal ductwork, on the other hand, is usually easily cleaned by a professional with the right tools. A third kind known as flexible ductwork can usually be cleaned as long as it's not also contaminated with mold. ## Preventive maintenance Cleaning the duct system in your home can help reduce the dust and allergens and allow your air conditioner or heat pump to operate more efficiently. Finding out the reason behind why it's contaminated with dust and dirt is also important. If you live in a new home and have already found it necessary to clean the ducts, most likely the builder ran the unit during the construction process. Running your heating and cooling systems without an air filter in place can also pull dust and dirt into the ductwork. There may be air leaks in your duct system, allowing dirt and dust to penetrate the ducts. A qualified technician can [locate and seal the leaks](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/sealing-your-ductwork-products.html) for you. ## Finding a trusted duct cleaning provider There are many companies out there claiming to be reputable duct cleaners. It's important to find a qualified technician who's known within your community so that you can be sure they'll provide you with exactly the services you need for your home. For more information on keeping your ducts clean, contact our experts at [Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning](http://rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser.html). We've been servicing homeowners in the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts since 1928. ***Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about* ***other HVAC topics, download our free [Home Comfort Solutions Guide](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/download-the-home-comfort-solutions-guide.html).***** ***Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning* *serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts.* *[Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today](http://rodenhiser.com/)!*** ![professional duct cleaning, Boston, Massachusetts](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Air-duct2.gif "Air-duct2")You can't see into or access all the ductwork in your house; therefore, it can be difficult to know when duct cleaning is required. --- If you have any doubts, your best bet is to call your [trusted, local HVAC professional](http://rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-plumbing.html), as they will use specialized tools to explore, diagnose and troubleshoot the ductwork system. There are a few telltale signs you can watch for that may indicate the need for duct cleaning. If any of these problems crops up, it's probably time to schedule the service call: - The most obvious sign is if you see excessive and abnormal amounts of dust on the furniture and other surfaces in your home. This is most likely caused by dust buildup in your ducts, and will generally gather on the supply registers. If they are visibly dirty, or you can actually see dust in the air released from them, then duct cleaning may rid the ducts of dust buildup. - Look for mold growing on the sheet metal or other flat surfaces of your ducts. Mold will decrease indoor air quality and may also aggravate allergies and cause respiratory illness. Because it's difficult to see into the ductwork without specialized tools, the presence of mold or moisture elsewhere in the home may be an indication that mold is in the ducts, too. - If you have a vermin or insect infestation in your ducts, duct cleaning should be performed to rid the space of the dander and droppings these creatures leave behind, which can be especially harmful if you breathe them in on a regular basis. - If you have just bought a home, and are unsure of whether this sort of problem occurred with the previous owners, have your ducts cleaned just to be safe. [Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning](http://rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser.html) is ready to help you with all your duct cleaning, plumbing, and HVAC needs. We invite you to experience the guaranteed service and [specials](http://rodenhiser.com/save-plumbing-heating.html) we offer that have made us the go-to HVAC service provider for the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. ***Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about* ***other HVAC topics, download our free [Home Comfort Solutions Guide](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/download-the-home-comfort-solutions-guide.html).***** ***Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning* *serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts.* *. [Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today](http://rodenhiser.com/)!*** *Image via [Shutterstock.com](http://shutterstock.com/)* ## Navigation - [Rodenhiser Home Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/) - [Rodenhiser Plumbing Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/plumber-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Heating Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/furnace-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Cooling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/air-conditioning-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Electrical Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/framingham-electricians.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Book Online](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser/book-online.html) - [Rodenhiser Remodeling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/remodels/bathroom-remodeling-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Reviews](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-heating.html) ## Company information - Rodenhiser Home Services - [https://bc.rodenhiser.com](https://bc.rodenhiser.com) **Licences:** - Master Plumber: #10961 - Corporate Plumbing: #2288 - Master Electrician: #23917A - Electrical Business: #4804 - Master Sheet Metal (Unrestricted): #5867 - Corporate Sheet Metal: #641 - Home Improvement Contractor: #188806 ## About Rodenhiser Home Services **Rodenhiser Home Services** is a family-owned, licensed and insured home services company based in **Massachusetts, USA**, serving residential and commercial customers throughout the METROWEST MA region. Established in 1928, the company has over 95 years of experience providing plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical, and home remodeling services. Rodenhiser specializes in plumbing repairs, drain and sewer services, water heaters, heating and cooling system installation and maintenance, heat pumps, ductless HVAC systems, indoor air quality, electrical panel upgrades, rewiring, standby generators, EV charger installations, and kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling, and more. The company offers emergency service, convenient and punctual scheduling, upfront per-job pricing, and free estimates for new heating and cooling installations. All work is backed by written warranties and a satisfaction guarantee. Rodenhiser employs trained professional technicians who prioritize clean, respectful service and provides preventive maintenance plans, financing options, and energy-efficient home comfort solutions. Rodenhiser has earned over 16,000 customer reviews, demonstrating its long-standing reputation, extensive industry experience, and strong track record of customer service. **Nice People…Great Service** ## Page information - [Canonical URL: https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/professional-duct-cleaning.html](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/professional-duct-cleaning.html)