Question 1

Does Ventcare clean residential ductwork?

Accepted Answer

No. Ventcare provides commercial services only. We work in hospitals, schools, government buildings, embassies, manufacturing facilities, and other commercial properties. If you are looking for residential duct cleaning, we are not the right fit, and we cannot recommend a specific residential provider.

Question 2

Why bother with an inspection if the ducts are going to be cleaned anyway?

Accepted Answer

Without an inspection, you usually assume the entire ventilation system needs cleaning. however, some areas may need cleaning while others only need monitoring. An inspection answers questions that change the scope and cost of the work: how are contaminants entering the system, what is their composition, and is accumulation much higher in some areas than others? With the inspection video and laboratory analysis, you can plan improvements and budget for the specific services you actually need, when you need them.

Question 3

Does Ventcare clean acoustic-lined ductwork?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our cleaning robot is equipped with a variable-control apparatus specifically designed to remove particulate from acoustic lining without damaging it. Because the robot is camera-equipped, our operator can watch the cleaning process in real time and adjust the pressure of the direct-contact apparatus as needed. The result is a thoroughly cleaned duct with the lining still intact. Should the surface of the acoustic lining be deteriorated, the robot can be equipped to spray a reseal the lining preventing the release of acoustic lining fibres into the air stream.

Question 4

How does Ventcare clean vertical ducts?

Accepted Answer

Vertical ducts are actually among the easier configurations to clean, with help from gravity. Solid particulate falls to the bottom of the shaft, where it can be removed on a horizontal pass-through. From there, the robot is lowered into the duct and direct-contact cleans its way from the top down.

Question 5

Is the ventilation system shut down during cleaning?

Accepted Answer

No. We recognize it would be unreasonable to shut off heating in the winter or cooling in the summer for ventilation cleaning. We solve this by cleaning sector by sector. As our crew moves to each section, the openings into and out of that area are sealed off from the rest of the system with pressurized foam gaskets. Cleaning continues without interfering with normal operations elsewhere in the system.

Question 6

What kinds of buildings has Ventcare worked in?

Accepted Answer

We have ongoing service contracts with more than 80 hospitals across Canada. We have worked on major P3 hospital projects up to 150,000 square metres, Canadian embassies and high commissions around the world, federal facilities, schools, manufacturing plants, and commercial buildings.

Question 7

What makes robotic cleaning different from traditional duct cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Three things. First, our robot reaches places traditional methods cannot, including small ducts, vertical risers, and sections behind cable trays or restricted ceiling spaces. Second, the cleaning intensity is adjustable, so we can clean acoustic-lined ducts gently enough to protect the lining and metallic ducts, however, aggressively enough to remove heavy buildup. Third, every step is video documented, so you have a permanent record of the system's condition before and after cleaning.

Question 8

What standard do you clean to?

Accepted Answer

We work to NADCA standards (Visual Inspection plus, where required, Vacuum Test) and meet CSA Z317 documentation requirements

Question 9

How long does a project take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the size and complexity of the building. A small commercial property might take a few days. A 150,000 square metre hospital construction project takes months, often coordinated alongside ongoing trades. We provide a detailed schedule at the proposal stage, and our crews maintain electronic daily logs that we share with the project manager throughout the work.

Question 10

Will the cleaning disrupt our operations?

Accepted Answer

Modern robotic cleaning is significantly less disruptive than traditional methods. We work under negative pressure with HEPA-filtered capture, so contamination does not escape into occupied spaces. In hospitals and other sensitive environments, we coordinate closely with infection control and follow facility-specific protocols. Most projects are completed with minimal impact on building occupants.

Question 11

Do you provide before-and-after documentation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every project includes digital video and photography of the ductwork interior, before and after cleaning, along with a written verification log signed by your representative. This documentation supports compliance audits, insurance requirements, and operational records. The progressive digital image can be forwarded to the project manager within 24 hours.

Question 12

How often should we be cleaning our ventilation system?

Accepted Answer

For most commercial buildings, the answer depends on use, occupancy, and any regulatory requirements that apply. Healthcare facilities under CSA Z317 have specific monitoring obligations, which is what our Ventilation Monitoring Program is designed to ensure compliance. For other commercial properties, we recommend an inspection first to establish a baseline, and a cleaning schedule built around the actual condition of your system.

Question 13

We're in the middle of a construction project. When should we schedule cleaning?

Accepted Answer

At the very end. Cleaning should happen after all dust-generating trades have finished, because any ongoing construction may recontaminate the ductwork. Once we've cleaned, the supply fans need to remain on with appropriate filtration in place, otherwise the system may go into inversion (reverse flow) and pull construction dust back in. We will work with your project manager to time this correctly.

Question 14

Do you handle fire damper inspection separately, or is it part of cleaning?

Accepted Answer

We can do either. Fire damper inspection has its own page and process, with deliverables that include an interactive floor plan showing the condition of every damper in your building. It can be performed as part of a cleaning project or as a standalone service.

Question 15

Do you work outside Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ventcare has worked across Canada, including major projects in Alberta and British Columbia, and internationally on Canadian embassy and high commission projects in multiple countries.

Question 16

How do we get started?

Accepted Answer

Use the contact form on this page or call us at 905-201-7887. Tell us about your building, the type of project you're considering, and any specific concerns or deadlines. We will follow up to scope the work and provide a quote.

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