How to clean the ventilation in an apartment with your own hands: an overview of suitable tools and work technology

Hearing the aromas of cooking dishes throughout the apartment is not very pleasant, is it? And if at the same time the windows in the kitchen begin to fog up, and the air in the bathroom becomes musty and stale, the reason is most likely a malfunction of the ventilation system.

It is necessary to eliminate the problems as soon as possible, so as not to risk the health of all residents, as well as the condition of furniture and other interior items. In addition, the well-being and tone of not only households, but also neighbors directly depends on the quality of ventilation. But how to clean the ventilation in the apartment with your own hands and what is needed for this?

We will analyze these questions in detail in our publication - we will talk about how to establish the cause of unfavorable microclimatic conditions in the room. We will also consider the main methods of self-cleaning ventilation, supplementing the information with a selection of thematic photos, videos and diagrams.

When is it time to clean the ventilation system?

Dust in the duct, both dry and greasy, ignites quickly. In the conditions of apartment buildings, this is also fraught with the spread of poisonous fumes and suffocating smoke.

You can determine the need for cleaning ventilation in a particular apartment building by several criteria:

1. A large amount of cobwebs and fine dust forms on the ventilation grill, as well as around it.
2. In summer, the room is stuffy, which was not there before.
3. Dust accumulates on the floor and surface of objects already 12-24 hours after wet cleaning.
4. There is a characteristic dampness in the room, condensation forms on the glass.

As a rule, the reason is banal - a critical blockage of the ventilation ducts. But it may also be in the failure of the ventilation equipment. It is undesirable to wait for the appearance of obvious signs of malfunctions. Regular maintenance will prevent damage to the repair, the active spread of fungal spores and the deterioration of microclimatic conditions.

Ventilation systems should be cleaned twice a year. Experts can set other terms after analyzing the condition of the air ducts, but, as a rule, manipulations in summer and winter are sufficient. Preventive examination - at least once a quarter.

Causes of malfunctions of the ventilation system

Ventilation stops working in the following cases:

1. After improper installation of reinforced-plastic windows.
2. As a result of imbalance caused by third-party intervention in the system.
3. Due to mistakes made by architects.

Similar problems are observed not only in winter, but also in summer. If the violation of air exchange is provoked by the replacement of windows, it is necessary to ventilate the room more often. There are small slots in wooden windows through which ventilation is carried out, and plastic windows are closed tightly, so air circulation stops.

Some modern double-glazed windows have a micro-ventilation function. You can also install ventilation valve on the window.

Ventilation shafts in old multi-storey buildings, as a rule, are lined with bricks. Dust and moisture cause deterioration of the material, resulting in collapse. Large parts jammed blocking the fresh air flow. Insects, birds and debris can enter the air ducts during renovations on the top floors.

But do it yourself cleaning all ventilation ducts in an apartment building is prohibited. This should be done by special services. You can put things in order on your own only in the branch adjacent to the common channel.

Violation of the balance of air exchange can also occur due to the fault of the neighbors, if they connect a powerful exhaust system. This issue can be resolved only by installing such equipment.

Heat can also affect natural ventilation in an apartment building. Air circulation stops when the outdoor and indoor temperatures equalize. In the summer, additional ventilation is likely to be needed.

You cannot do without the help of a master if mistakes were made in the design and construction of the building. In this case, additional exhaust equipment is installed.

Ventilation test procedure

The performance of the ventilation ducts can be checked with the help of improvised means.

The easiest way using a lit match:

1. It is necessary to open a window in any room.
2. Bring the flame to the ventilation grill. You can take not only a match, but also a candle or lighter.
3. The serviceability of the system is determined by the deflection of the fire towards the ventilation duct.

Employees of utilities, in particular the gas office, do not recommend using this method. to check ventilation in an apartment building, if the building is connected to the main gas supply. Even the most insignificant leak of gas may cause fire or explosion.

A safer way to survey the canal is with a sheet of A4 paper. Ordinary toilet paper will work as well. The sequence of actions described above remains unchanged. Only instead of a flame, a sheet should be attached to the grate. It should adhere to the surface of the ventilation duct.

If the paper attracts little or does not react at all, you will have to look for the cause. Repeat the procedure for each ventilation grill. In most apartments, they are located in the bathroom, kitchen and toilet.

When is it worth contacting the special services?

The current legislation regulates the inspection and cleaning of ventilation systems by licensed companies. In residential premises, measures should be carried out without fail when a deficit or complete absence of traction is detected. You will need to check and after the completion of the repair, internal redevelopment of the premises.

And if cleaning must be carried out twice a year, as mentioned above, then the frequency of scheduled inspections is more stringent - three times a year. As a rule, the time is chosen before the start, in the middle and at the end of the heating season. Experts use professional equipment to analyze the performance of the ventilation duct.

After ventilation duct checks Utilities specialists must write out an act with a hologram, certified by a seal. The document is drawn up in two copies.

The act must contain the following mandatory information:

• canal length, size and location;
• chimney material;
• places where heating devices are connected;
• design features, including transitions and constrictions, causing disruptions to the normal operation of the system;
• assessment of the tightness and tightness of the structure;
• the presence of blockages and blockages;
• condition of internal partitions;
• the presence of traction;
• the condition of the seams, in the event that brick channels are assessed;
• the presence of protective grilles;
• condition of hoods and other devices.

Cleaning specialized companies use various equipment for cleaning ventilation ducts. Their services also include diagnostics of the degree of pollution.

Duct cleaners

Utilities use several units to clean the ventilation system:

• powerful industrial vacuum cleaners;
• electromechanical equipment;
• reagents and chemical compositions;
• cleaning devices with multiple filters;
• vacuum installations;
• brush pneumatic drive units.

Flexible shafts can be used for self-cleaning of the air passages. They should be attached to a drill or screwdriver.

In the apartment, a vacuum cleaner or a broom with a long handle, a wire with a metal hedgehog on the handle, rubber gloves, and a respirator are also useful for cleaning.

Step-by-step ventilation cleaning process

Now let's talk about how to properly clean the ventilation in the apartment. A chimney sweep set with a flexible shaft will greatly facilitate this task. You can find it in almost any hardware store or market. The brush should be suitable for the ventilation duct. It must be screwed onto a flexible shaft, and the other end must be fixed in the chuck of a screwdriver or electric drill.

The device can be used in multi-apartment panel buildings. In such facilities, ventilation mines have the following structure: the individual channel of the apartment rises only to the height of the upper floor, after which it moves into a wide common channel. And it is not possible to score it, since the parameters are about 25x80 cm. Therefore, it is only necessary to clean up to the height of the upper floor.

It is more convenient to eliminate the blockage together:

• it is necessary to work with gloves and goggles;
• measure the length on a flexible shaft, which should be equal to the height of the floor plus the thickness of the floor;
• you can use electrical tape or other adhesive tape to mark;
• remove the ventilation grill;
• insert a brush attached to a flexible shaft into the ventilation duct;
• while one partner turns on the drill at low speed, the other must move the ruff up, guiding it with a flexible shaft;
• the location of the mark on the shaft opposite the entrance to the ventilation duct means that the duct is cleared to its full height;
• without stopping the rotation, it is necessary to get the shaft with the brush back.

The same method can be used in private and apartment buildings, but only on the top floor. In this case, the mine is made of bricks without a common channel. And each individual roof channel ends. To determine the length of the flexible shaft, the height of the floor, the attic and the ventilation duct located above the roof of the building must be taken into account.

Brick air ducts can be cleaned with a special rope ruff attached to the weight. Cleaning is carried out from the roof. The ruff must be lowered into the channel.

But not everything is so simple. It is almost impossible to independently determine which of the channels of the brick mine leads to the apartment. There are two options: go blind or find the blueprints for the ventilation shaft.

Ways to improve the performance of the ventilation system

Checking the condition of the ventilation system will help determine which ducts are clogged. If ventilation does not work in the rooms, bathroom and kitchen, the problem is caused by a common duct and it will not be possible to fix the problem on your own.

One vertical shaft from the common building property falls on each entrance. And it is forbidden to eliminate the blockage yourself. The ventilation must be cleaned by the local management company. The application must be made in writing. The organization will determine the condition of the mine, clean the ducts and, if necessary, repair the ventilation system in the apartment building.

If the problem is found in only one place, the reason is a local blockage, which can be eliminated as follows:

• remove the decorative grill;
• clean it from deposits - you can hit dirt, dust and soot with the help of gentle detergents.
• the walls of the ventilation duct should be scraped with a scraper, the remaining dirt can be pulled out with a vacuum cleaner.

It is not recommended to use aggressive reagents. They can corrode and damage the walls of the ventilation shaft. When cleaning, beware of hornets and wasps nests. Debris should also not get from the ventilation duct into the general air duct.

We gave a detailed analysis of the reasons for the breakdown of ventilation in the house and apartment in our other article.

After checking the draft, it is necessary to put the grille back. Then check traction by opening a window.

If cleaning the ventilation does not help, there are several ways to improve air circulation:

• installing a hood;
• using supply valves;
• improving air circulation between individual rooms.

In modern houses, at the construction stage, supply and exhaust ventilation is installed.

In old-style objects, you will have to carry out a serious redevelopment of the apartment to equip with such a system. Natural ventilation in this case is more preferable if, of course, it copes with its task. You can improve its performance using the methods listed below.

Method # 1 - installing a hood

It so happens that natural ventilation does not cope with its function. Especially in old multi-storey buildings. The channels in such objects are so tightly clogged that it is almost impossible to clean them yourself.

In such a situation, the installation of additional devices for forced evacuation of exhaust air - hoods - will help. They are installed in bathrooms, toilets and in the kitchen to avoid the spread of odors and water vapors throughout the apartment.

Such ventilation equipment is not intended for uninterrupted operation; it is enough to turn it on if necessary.

The fan can be mounted inside the duct or at the outlet of the ventilation duct instead of the grille. In bathrooms, this device is often connected to a light switch. But you can also connect separately. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with fan connection diagrams.

In the kitchen, the hood and the duct leading to it are placed directly above the stove. The main task of the device is to remove the smells of cooking dishes. Mounting hoods in the kitchen easy enough to do it yourself.

Method # 2 - installation of supply valves

If the hood does not improve the situation, supply valves can be installed. Additional holes in the wall will provide fresh air. As a rule, the distance between the window opening and the heating radiators is chosen for placement. This arrangement makes them less visible.

The pipe from the outside of the building is positioned at an angle to the wall. Such a scheme helps to prevent debris and water from entering the apartment. The valve is also equipped with noise insulation on the side of the room. To adjust the degree of opening, special dampers are used.

For installation of a supply valve no special skills required. The ventilation holes must be equipped with sensitive sensors. The part helps to recognize the level of humidity and is automatically triggered by opening the plug to supply fresh air to the apartment.

Method # 3 - improving air exchange between rooms

Air circulation problems can also be caused by tightly closed doors. The same method with a sheet of paper, discussed above, will help to identify this problem. Only in this case it is necessary to slightly open all the interior doors. The attraction of paper indicates a violation of air circulation between the rooms of the apartment.

It can be improved by a gap of a few centimeters between the floor and the bottom edge of the door, or by leaving the doors ajar. You can also make special holes for better air permeability.

In a bathroom or a bathroom, where there is a sill and there can be no question of any gap, you can make several holes in a row. The slope must be inward.

A fine mesh mesh can be used as a decoration. The design will not affect the privacy of the room and will provide adequate ventilation.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

How to independently check the operation of the ventilation system is discussed in the plot:

Useful information about ventilation in apartments of residential buildings:

Available about the principles of natural ventilation:

Cleaning the ventilation in the apartment yourself is not the best solution. If there is no other way out, follow all the recommendations listed above. In no case do you need to climb into a vertical riser. And now you know how to clean a horizontal ventilation duct in an apartment building.

Often, apartment owners themselves are to blame for the decrease or complete absence of internal air exchange. Especially when the ventilation openings are covered with finishing materials during the renovation.

If you know other ways how you can clean the ventilation in the apartment, tell other users about them - leave your comments under the article. You can also ask questions about the topic or post unique photographs.