How to clean the ventilation in the apartment with your own hands: suitable tools and workflow

Features of arranging ventilation in the workshop

Work in the workshop is associated with the presence of toxic and harmful substances in the air. The design and construction of ventilation in such rooms depends on the type of work and the nature of harmful factors.

Consider the main features that affect the configuration and parameters of ventilation systems for different types of workshops.

#one.Dust extraction in a carpentry workshop

Fine dust is the main problem of woodworking workshops. Such a suspension of particles can be in the air all 24 hours, although it is not visible to the eye, but is inhaled by the lungs. In addition, it settles on all surfaces. With any draft or start-up of the engines of machine tools, tools, it is again in the air.

The organization of a dust removal (aspiration) system is complicated by the presence of a large number of sources of dust and different fractions of chips. For this reason, suction hoses with individual filtration are required for each machine.

Dust removal systems operate on the principle of a cyclone. The polluted air is sucked in by the rotational movement of the fan and, under the influence of centrifugal force, the heavier dust particles sink to the bottom of the tank. Purified air rises. Additionally, the flow can be humidified for better cleaning

But, in addition to the harmful effects on breathing, wood dust still has fire and explosive properties. Which places increased demands on ventilation systems in terms of eliminating electrostatics and grounding structures.

#2. Air purification in a car service

The car service workshop belongs to the premises with increased air pollution. The constant presence of exhaust gases, carbon monoxide and nitrogen, aerosols, gasoline vapors, paint and other technical liquids places special demands on the performance of the ventilation system. The power of the supply and exhaust unit is selected with a margin, to ensure the pumping of the entire volume of the room with the recommended multiplicity of 20 - 30.

In addition, polluted air must be filtered and discharged separately from the general ventilation pipe.

#3. Repair shop and blacksmith shop ventilation

The products of combustion of electrodes emitted during welding and metalwork, smoke, fumes and dust during cutting and metal processing require removal using local exhausts. What is regulated by GOST 12.3.003, SP 49.13330, POT R M 020-2001, STO 221 NOSTROY 2.10.64-2013 and safety rules for the production of construction and installation, gas welding and electric welding works.

For manual electric welding, their approximate productivity is selected based on providing air exchange from 1500 to 4500 thousand m3 * h / kg, divided by the weight of the electrodes burned in 1 hour.

With semi-automatic welding, the volume is increased to 1700 - 2000 thousand m3 * h / kg.

Ventilation equipment for the welder's workplace is of paramount importance. Vapors of metals and slag contain harmful oxides of manganese, compounds of silicon, titanium and other chemical elements that lead to diseases of the nervous system, lungs, and can accumulate in the body

The total air circulation is distributed in the ratio of inflow to exhaust 1:3 for the upper tier, and 2:3 for the lower one.

A feature of the ventilation of the blacksmith's workshop is the need to remove excess heat and toxic gases. For this, local exhausts above the furnaces and natural ventilation are used.

When calculating the performance of ventilation systems for all types of workshops according to the recommended multiplicity, it is necessary to take into account heat losses in the cold season. The choice of the maximum parameters will guarantee the rapid removal of harmful substances, but at the same time, it will require the cost of heating the supply air.If heat recovery is not provided, it is better to stop the choice on the lower acceptable limits of the multiplicity.

No. 4. Cleaning the drainage system of the air conditioner

If water began to drip from the air conditioner along the walls and onto the floor, it means that something is wrong with the drainage system. There can be a lot of reasons, from an insufficient amount of freon to freezing of the drainage tube in the winter. The problem may also arise as a result of contamination of the tube. The congestion prevents the passage of water, and it pours into the apartment. Where does dirt come from? Everything is simple. If you do not remove the dust in a timely manner, then it accumulates and turns into dirt, which can get into the drainage.

When the cause of leakage is a clogged drain, the following procedure applies:

• turn off the air conditioner from the network;
• remove the coarse filter;
• remove the panel and drain pan. The process of extracting the pallet has a lot of nuances and depends on the model of the air conditioner, but it’s easy to figure it out along the way. The drain pan itself may need to be cleaned, plus it frees access to the hole to which the drain tube is attached;
• the drainage tube is disconnected from the air conditioner and blown through with a vacuum cleaner or compressor;
• for cleaning, you can use a long, strong, but flexible wire, which is inserted into the pipe, pushing the blockage out, i.e. the end of the wire should eventually appear on the side of the drain tube that goes outside;
• the blockage has been removed, but there is no guarantee that the pipe walls are completely clean. If dirt remains on them, then new debris particles will easily stick to it. Therefore, it is better to rinse the tube with chlorhexidine. If you did not remove the tube, then you can pour the liquid directly from the bottle - 400 ml is enough with your head.If the tube is removed, then you can use the device from a plastic bottle and hose, or just take a pear. After 15-20 minutes, the tube is blown with a vacuum cleaner (for blowing) or a pump. To finally clean the system, pour 1.5-2 liters of plain water into the tube - it should flow freely into the street.

If the cause of the leak was not a clogged drain, then you may need the help of a professional to diagnose.

Signs of blockage

It is important to be able to determine when required in the apartment. Signs of poor system performance include the following:

• rapid fogging of windows;
• the spread of odors from cooking throughout the apartment;
• the appearance of mold and the smell of dampness;
• feeling of lack of oxygen;
• accumulation of dust and cobwebs on .

Of course, it is better not to wait until visible signs of blockage appear, but to service the system regularly. Poor ventilation in the apartment leads to damage to the repair, the appearance of fungus and a deterioration in the microclimate in the room.

A way to check the quality of ventilation

To understand if the hood is working in the apartment, you can conduct a simple test. You will need a thin strip of newsprint. It should be brought to the hole.

if the sheet is attracted, then everything is in order with the system

Otherwise, the ventilation does not work in the apartment - the ventilation in the apartment building needs to be repaired

It is important to check every vent that is in the home. It is advisable to do such checks every month.

This will allow you to notice problems in time and fix them.

Technology for cleaning ventilation systems

At the first stage, a clean-up plan is drawn up.The ventilation scheme is studied, the places for connecting machines, the points for setting plugs and the amount of installation work are determined.

In addition to air ducts, the following ventilation elements are cleaned:

• intake and exhaust devices - gratings, diffusers, local suction umbrellas;
• fire-retardant and check valves, control dampers;
• heat exchangers for heaters, recuperators and central air conditioners;
• fan parts in contact with the air flow - impellers, turbines;
• grease filters designed for regeneration (recovery).

Supply and exhaust fans must be cleaned and lubricated

The equipment and ventilation network are also cleaned from the outside. Cell, pocket and bag type filters are completely replaceable. Upon completion of the work, the organization draws up an act approved by the customer.

The technological operation of dry cleaning of the air duct network looks like this:

1. The vacuum machine is connected by a hose to the main air line, usually next to the fan. Extended collectors of large diameters are divided into sections of estimated length comparable to the productivity of the machine.
2. The filter block is connected to the vacuum fan with the second corrugated pipe.
3. Ventilation grilles are removed along the entire length of the serviced area, branches of a smaller diameter are disconnected. The holes are tightly closed with plugs.
4. The brush machine operator, dressed in a protective suit and a respirator, pulls a flexible shaft with a cleaning tool inside the channel from the other side. To remove fat, an alkaline reagent is pre-sprayed there.
5. Both units are started and the air duct is cleaned.Dust and soot, removed from the walls with a rotating brush, is sucked up by a vacuum unit. Dirty air is supplied through a pipe to a filter unit that traps all particles.
6. The operation is repeated in subsequent sections in the same way.

At the end of the work, disinfection is carried out - spraying an antiseptic agent with the desired concentration of the active substance inside the ventilation ducts. Then a trial run of the system is made with the adjustment of air flow rates on each branch (if necessary). Step by step ventilation cleaning operations are shown in the video:

How to ensure the functionality of air passages in the bathroom

Don't Forget Personal Safety

The inefficient exchange of air in the room is evidenced by the appearance of a veil of steam on the mirror surface, the deposition of liquid droplets on all internal surfaces. Or there is an unpleasant odor brought into the bathroom from the ventilation with a reversed air flow. If the design of the house has a ventilation system, but it does not work, you need to know how to clean the ventilation in the bathroom

Pay attention to the following:

• If you find a channel heavily clogged with debris, it will be difficult to cope with it on your own, so it is better to contact specialists.
• If, during the repair, the ventilation grilles were masked by wall or ceiling panels covering them, direct access to them should be provided, and the panels should be dismantled.
• The fan or grill is being cleaned. To do this, accumulated dirt is removed from the grate with a spatula or scraper from the chimney side. Fine dust and debris are removed with a vacuum cleaner.
• When put in place, the grille is firmly fixed.
• The draft in the bathroom is checked.If the result is unsatisfactory, it is worth trying to check the operation of the mine on the top floor in the apartment by the riser. If she works there, then the reason lies in the gap of the mine - a blocked air duct. In this case, you can not do without the employees of the service company.

Timely, properly carried out cleaning of the ventilation in the apartment ensures regular circulation of the air flow. When installing fans in the ducts, the frequency of removing debris and dust may decrease, but these preventive maintenance cannot be canceled in general.

Reasons for lack of ventilation

If the result is negative (the paper deviates from the grate into the room or falls down), the question is how to clean the ventilation in the apartment, because. it's clear she's messed up. Although the reason may be in the destruction of the ventilation duct due to improper redevelopment of apartments on the floors above. Often, in order to expand the useful area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe kitchen, the ventilation duct is disassembled. The vacated space is used for the installation of household appliances. This affects the general house ventilation systems.

Ventilation duct in a multi-storey building

The deterioration of air exchange may be due to the installation of fiberglass bags without ventilation valves instead of cracked window frames that block the penetration of air into the apartment in a natural way. Therefore, the owners of wooden windows should not be hermetically sealed for the winter. It is better to seal the gaps and gaps between the frame and the sash with an adhesive strip with foam rubber as a heater.

The cause of blockage can also be construction debris (hardened mortar, fragments of bricks, wooden bars, etc.)

Who should clean the ventilation ducts in multi-storey buildings

Ventilation is the same general building system as plumbing, electricity, gas pipelines, elevators, etc. Cleaning is carried out by the management company or homeowners association in an apartment building.

Owners seek services from other organizations responsible for managing the farm. Air ducts are cleaned regularly - according to a plan or based on the request of the residents.

Professionals take into account the size and materials from which the channels are created. Equipment for cleaning ventilation differs in power and configuration.

Cleaning methods:

1. Mechanical, with the use of vacuum cleaners and brush devices.
2. Chemical, in which chemical reagents are sprayed into the air ducts.
3. Dry ice is used for cryogenic cleaning of ventilation in an apartment building.

Tools and consumables:

1. Brushes for mechanical cleaning.
2. Flexible rope 6 m long.
3. Ruffs with metal brushes.
4. Brush machine.
5. Vacuum cleaner with flexible hose.
6. Steam generator and spray device.
7. A set of tools for cleaning grease.

A digital video inspection device is used.

Payment for cleaning work

The cost of cleaning is affected by the complex of work carried out and other factors:

1. Access to ventilation ducts.
2. The amount of dirt.

The base price is calculated for 1 sq. m. mine.

Price:

1. Visual check - 5000 rubles.
2. Mechanical cleaning from dirt - 170 rubles.
3. Surface cleaning from grease - 750 rubles.
4. Microbiological examination of samples - 1500 rubles. for 1 wash.
5. Disinfection - 50 rubles.

Sample letter for ventilation cleaning

This is a statement about a violation of the norms for the provision of public services to the population. The "header" of the document indicates the name of the head of the organization providing services for cleaning the exhaust duct, and the applicant's data. According to the rules, the management company must keep ventilation and chimneys in good condition.

Expert opinion
Mironova Anna Sergeevna
Generalist lawyer. Specializes in family matters, civil, criminal and housing law

The text of the application contains the address and a message stating that the organization does not comply with the provisions of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation and does not provide utility services in full. Information is being clarified that the exhaust duct does not work in the apartment.

Why clean ventilation

It is necessary to maintain the correct operation of the ventilation system for purely hygienic reasons. After all, the weakening of the hood leads primarily to a decrease in air exchange, which is legalized by sanitary standards of residence. The exhaust air leaving the ventilation shaft takes with it particles of dust, excessive humidity, as well as various kinds of microorganisms that adversely affect human health.

Therefore, there is a special attitude to cleaning the ventilation in the apartment. But, as practice shows, the owners of apartments practically do not deal with it. It is rare that anyone tries to do something to increase air outflow. But that doesn't help much either. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the process of cleaning the ventilation, and if it is possible to carry it out regularly. If not on your own, then at least once every two or three years, call a specialist.

When to Clean

It is clear that few people open the ventilation grill to look into the ventilation duct of the building

Therefore, it is worth paying attention to some signs that the ventilation duct has become smaller than its original size. Here are a few of the signs that are very conspicuous

1. Dust and dirt accumulate around the ventilation grill and on it, a cobweb appears.
2. After wet cleaning, dust immediately settles on the surface of the floor and furniture.
3. In the summer, in the very heat, the apartment does not get cool.
4. If drafts with open windows or the front door have become much weaker or have disappeared altogether.

He will definitely say that cleaning the ventilation in the apartment is necessary. Especially if it has been used for many years. A paper napkin brought to the ventilation opening will help determine the need. If the napkin remains at the ventilation duct, then the ventilation is working well. If the napkin does not hold, then you need to sound the alarm. The channel is littered, and the ventilation does not work.

In the same way, you can check if you attach a piece of toilet paper or newsprint to the opening. If it sticks to the grate, then the ventilation works according to its parameters. If it falls, then the problem is serious, and it needs to be addressed urgently.

In general, it is impossible to bring the ventilation system of an apartment building to such a state. After all, this network has several levels equal to the number of floors. And channels lead to each apartment from the vertical shaft. Therefore, such a situation also happens when the horizontal channel from the apartment seems to be clean, but the air outflow is weak. The reason is that the vertical common channel is clogged. And here everyone will not be able to help themselves, because cleaning of the common ventilation shaft is required, for which the management company is responsible.And for her, exact norms have been set for how often to clean the ventilation of an apartment building, which, unfortunately, she does not comply with.

Types of equipment for servicing the ventilation system

Accumulated inside the ventilation system dust, dirt, grease and fungal accumulations are not always easily separated from the walls. Usually this requires the skills of professionals and special equipment.

Professionals use special equipment to remove deposits from the duct. It is designed for maintenance and cleaning of the ventilation system in rooms for various purposes.

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 the cleaning of the ventilation system to be effective, it is necessary to use only equipment that is designed specifically for solving a specific task. Depending on the purpose of use, it can be widely used (household) or professional.

Common equipment for cleaning ventilation includes brush sets, filter-ventilation mobile units, and replaceable filters.

A professional solution to the problem of ventilation pollution involves a thorough inspection of the ventilation system with special devices to identify the degree of pollution and to determine the most problematic areas.

Equipment designed for effective cleaning of the ventilation system is not only ordinary brushes, but also powerful filtering devices

Professional equipment for cleaning ventilation ducts includes a video camera that is mounted 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 carry out prompt cleaning of ventilation ducts.

Specialists use sophisticated professional equipment to clean the ventilation ducts, which quickly and efficiently cope with the task.

One of the main advantages of the work of specialized cleaning organizations is that during the cleaning of ventilation, people who work or live in the premises do not feel discomfort.

When choosing equipment, you should consider what facilities the ventilation system is located on:

• in apartment buildings or in private suburban buildings;
• at catering establishments (restaurants, cafes, canteens, bars, bakeries);
• in public and commercial buildings (shopping centers, offices, medical facilities);
• industrial premises.

For cleaning the ventilation system at industrial enterprises, in most cases, cleaning robots equipped with video cameras and special brushes are used. The expediency of using this equipment depends on the degree of contamination of the ventilation duct.

The configuration and capacity of special equipment is selected depending on the characteristics of the facilities where the ventilation system is installed.

Do-it-yourself kitchen hood

Consider in detail the steps on how to make a hood with your own hands:

Do-it-yourself hooding is a lengthy process in which many factors must be taken into account.

First of all, carry out a "markup" - draw your design on the walls.Consider the dimensions of the future design, think about how to hide the corrugation and draw a box for it. We must not forget that the manufactured frame is at a distance of at least 65-70 cm above the level of the plate. the axes of the hood and the plate coincide so that the air that rises is sucked in by the device in full.
The preparation of the frame is a difficult moment of work. Fastening the pipe box: install the top bar, then lower the vertical components of the box, and attach the bottom jumpers to them. Remember to use a spirit level to level each element during installation.

At this stage, the device, if a do-it-yourself hood is created, takes on the desired appearance and geometric shapes - keep this in mind when creating the frame. If you want a non-straight box, before fixing the profile, bend or cut the necessary elements to create the desired relief

It is important to remember about the transverse jumpers, which will replace the stiffeners and are attached to the side. Before creating a box, it is better to put your thoughts on paper by drawing a diagram.

The drawing you built will help throughout the work, and you will not go wrong anywhere in the future.
For the device to work smoothly, you need draft in the ventilation shaft. Check this before connecting the corrugated duct. To reduce noise during further operation of the finished device, the pipe is wrapped with soundproofing material. The next element of the future hood is a check valve. It is necessary to install the mechanism if you do not want the smoke and fumes from the mine to get on your stove.
Drywall sheathing will not take time, but you need to cut the sheets evenly. If the pieces are crooked, they will not get joints to each other, the finish will become more troublesome, and the functionality of the home-made household appliance will decrease. If it is not possible to cut evenly, use a sealant to seal the joints.

Finishing the structure is the last step in creating a hood in the apartment with your own hands. Here you are free to listen to the flight of fancy and make dreams come true:

Finishing the hood - the final stage

• putty with painting looks easy and at ease, and by choosing the color for the interior design, you will get a harmonious kitchen accessory;
• decorative finishes will require investment, but the hood dome you decorate will surprise even the most picky and spoiled guests;
• painting from ornaments and patterns is a choice for lovers of extraordinary solutions.

Applied tools and equipment

We offer to consider a set of cleaning equipment from the well-known Finnish manufacturer Pressovac:

• video camera for internal inspection of air ducts;
• brush machine with electric or pneumatic drive;
• vacuum installation;
• filter unit;
• compressor (used in conjunction with a pneumatic brush machine);
• spray bottle for ventilation system disinfection.

The brush device is a flexible shaft 6-40 meters long, connected to an electric motor or pneumatic drive. The rotating shaft is placed inside a strong shell, a brush of the required shape is fixed at the end.

The vacuum unit is a powerful fan with a capacity of up to 15,000 m³/h that sucks debris out of the channel. Then the flow is sent to the filter machine, where pollutant particles are trapped.

In addition to the main equipment, the kit includes accessories:

• brushes of various shapes and hardness;
• corrugated pipes connecting the units with air ducts;
• plugs for side outlets of ventilation ducts;
• vacuum discs used in round pipes;
• shaped elements and inspection hatches for additional inserts into the channels.

Clapperboard

Installation of the hood begins with the creation of a box equipped with a clapperboard. As a material for it, you can easily use a thin aluminum sheet, galvanized or tin. The cracker “sits down” on the mounting foam in the ventilation window, and is glued to the cabinet with silicone or mounting glue to eliminate resonance.

However, first you need to try on the cracker, and mark a hole on the top board of the cabinet along its lower window (with a pencil, right inside the cracker, removing the damper). The outlines of the clapperboard sides should also be noted in order to carry out the final installation as accurately as possible.

Causes of a clogged hood and preparation

There is always a lot of steam, fats and smells in the kitchen. Hood over gas stove draws everything this in itself and gradually its lattice is covered with a layer of fat, which is not so easy to wash off. If the grate is not cleaned, then over time the efficiency of the hood will greatly decrease and there will be no sense from it. There are 6 main ways to help clean it in an apartment at home.

Before you start cleaning the hood grate, you need to properly prepare everything. First of all, it must be disconnected from the mains and completely disassembled. To choose the right detergent and wash the hood in the kitchen well from fat, you should look at the instructions. The manufacturer always indicates what is suitable for cleaning.An incorrectly selected agent can cause damage to the surface.

Stages of preparation:

1. Remove front panel. It is most often fastened with latches. There are models where the panel is fastened with bolts. The panel can be washed with a regular detergent and a cloth.
2. Remove the grate (filter) for soaking in a soapy solution with subsequent cleaning.
3. Separate the pipe (corrugation) and clean from cobwebs and fat.
4. If possible, completely remove the case and wipe it from dust and other contaminants from the inside and outside.
5. On some models, the air filter can be removed. Please read the instructions carefully before removing.

Cleaning the ventilation in the apartment

The following signs indicate the need to clean the apartment ventilation:

• it became stuffy in the dwelling;
• condensation forms abundantly on cold water pipes, which indicates a high relative humidity of the air;
• dust and cobwebs appeared around the ventilation grill;
• a layer of dust forms on the floor under the grill faster than usual;
• Unpleasant odors come from the ventilation duct.

To check the draft, a paper sheet is brought to the ventilation duct opening: if there is air movement, the paper will press against the grate. A prerequisite for the functioning of apartment ventilation is the inflow of fresh air, which is impossible with metal-plastic windows.

In this case, installation of wall or window air valves is required. Only the management company has the right to clean the ventilation ducts in apartment buildings. Residents are strictly prohibited from doing so.

The principle of operation of the ventilation system

The system is installed in accordance with the requirements of GOST 30494 - 11.According to the norms, the quality level of the air masses in the room should not exceed the level of carbon dioxide content and the humidity of the living space should not exceed 60%, at an air speed of less than 0.2 m/s.

Blockage in the ventilation system

Previously, a natural ventilation system was used. Above the doors of the rooms, special gaps were made for the entry of air masses, wooden windows let in a sufficient amount, even when closed. Windows were fitted with vents to let in fresh air.

New buildings, when installing plastic windows, are equipped with a forced ventilation system. Supply and exhaust circuits are equipped with the installation of fans. These devices allow you to maintain a normal level of humidity and carbon dioxide in the apartment.

But the principle of operation of the main ventilation system remains unchanged. The main thing is to carry out routine maintenance in time and eliminate blockages.