RamAir Air Duct Cleaning or Another

[Jamesh921]

Hi Guys,
I've been in the flooring business for over 29 years doing cleaning and installation of just about everything you can put on a floor. I'm no Guru, but I do OK. However, in my area I see a niche that I'm sure I can capitalize on - Air Duct Cleaning.
More and more I am seeing opportunities that would dramatically increase my job averages. These are easy, gravy jobs just waiting on someone to help these folks out.
So, I've been looking at some of the duct cleaning systems available.

I've heard the debate about having a "dedicated system" for air duct cleaning vs using your truckmount. I'm not convinced either way yet - I'm still in the research mode - trying to determine what will work best for me.

After doing some research, I'm leaning toward the RamAir system. So, please chime in if you have"real life experience" with cleaning air ducts. And be sure to include the system(s) that YOU feel is reliable.

Thanks,
James

 

[Matt Middleton]

Look at Abatement equipment. A dedicated van is the best route.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Buy it if it makes ya happy. You can always regret it later.

 

[Jamesh921]

Why is a dedicated van so important? I could pull a trailer. I usually pull one anyway.

Richard,
Why would I regret it? What are the pitfalls?

 

[Matt Middleton]

Well... Maybe not a van but a dedicated something. Lots of equipment to clean air ducts correctly.

Negative air unit.
Two stage air compressor.
At least 50' of 12" hose.
100' of air compressor hose.
Various whips, rods, skipper balls
Drills, malco hole cutter.
Vari bit 1" Hole cutter.
Whole variety of small tools.

Just a short list, certainly not complete.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I don't own one so I can't speak to it with full knowledge. I would suggest you visit someone that does each process.

My judgment comes without experience and is predicated on the sheer difference in CFM & volume of the collector.

The source removal method is consensusly known as the best method of cleaning. While the Ramair uses some of those principles, it would appear to have short comings.

I'm told it uses the HVAC systems own power to push the dislodged debris back to your TM. I feel you can dislodge debris but can you get enough removed to be effective? I can't see a TM compared to a 6-8000 CFM collector .

 

[Cleanworks]

I have a cousin in the duct cleaning business. He is a certified gas fitter and does new installs as well. He has several large trucks with all the proper equipment. His smallest produces 30,000 cfm but not a lot of inches of lift. They hook up to the plenum of the duct system and use a air compressor with a wire whip fed through the vents to clean. He has several other systems as well. He tells me that he is often cleaning up after carpet cleaners that think they know how to clean ducts. He doesn't clean carpets and doesn't think carpet cleaners should clean ducts. It is not as easy as your suppliers make it out to be.

 

[Nate The Great]

@John Olson

 

[Mark Saiger]

You need something with some power and negative air pressure really as described to do the job correct.

My brothers do this kind of work as well as carpet cleaning....

Larger trailer mounted unit....or for some areas of casinos....a really BIG portable to ASSIST with some of the cleaning as well as the large trailer mounted unit.

 

[tres davis]

I agree with not the ram air. We bought it and used it for a while. It was our first foray into duct cleaning. Wish I would have just started out with a proper unit from abatement. The ram air and similar systems just don't really do much. It's basically the same as comparing a rug doctor to a butler

 

[Old Coastie]

So none of you use midgets with scrapers?
I hate it when they start crying and asking to be let out..

Are we doing it wrong?

 

[Jamesh921]

OK, all good points. So which systems WOULD you recommend?

 

[Desk Jockey]

Ramair.

We have an Abatement Technologies portable and a gas fired Meyers Porta Vac.
The Abatement machine is for apartment work, light commercial. The Porta Vac is our everyday machine for residential.

Neither are too bad price you could probably buy both for under 15k. I think we were 8-9 with the Porta Vac, air compressor and accessories.

 

[Mikey P]

Average ticket?

 

[Desk Jockey]

$400.00 minimum up to 12 openings $15.00 for each additional