Here’s the dirt on what needs cleaning
Grime on these 4 things can be costly — even dangerous
The company that installed solar panels on the roof of Margarita Maldonado’s Stonewall Ranch home in 2013 never mentioned that they’d occasionally have to be cleaned. So even as they became covered in pollen, soot, Saharan dust and all manner of dirt that falls from the South Texas sky, she just assumed they’d be washed clean by the rain.
“It never crossed our minds that we had to clean them,” she said, referring to herself and her late husband. “And it’s a two-story house, so we weren’t going to get up on the roof to do it.”
But when her system’s micro inverter (don’t ask) recently failed, she called Solar Service, a solar system maintenance company. That’s when company President Brian Rodriguez explained that the panels do, in fact, need to be cleaned from time to time to keep them operating at peak efficiency.
While most of us understand the importance of regularly cleaning certain parts of the house — floors, countertops, bathrooms, etc. — other areas tend to fall under the radar — or atop the roof, in the attic or behind the clothes dryer.
“It’s often a matter of out of sight, out of mind,” said Brant Insero, senior director of education, training, certification and standards for International Sanitary Supply Association, a cleaning industry trade association. “People clean what they see frequently and ignore the rest.”
But other, more hidden places, like air conditioning and heating ducts, chimneys, dryer vents and, yup, solar panels, need a good tidying up, too. Here’s why and how to do it:
Air ducts
The dirt: While dust and dirt can, over time, accumulate
in the heating and air-conditioning conduits that snake through your house, an Environmental Protection Agency report states: “Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts.”
The agency recommends duct cleaning in only three cases: There’s visible mold growing in the ducts; the ducts are infested with rodents, insects or other vermin; or ducts are so clogged you can see the dust and dirt being released into the home through the registers.
The cleanse: If you do decide to get your air vents cleaned, a cleaning service should use a large bristle brush that snakes through the ducts, dislodging dust and other particles, and exhausting it to the outside.
Cleaning the ducts in a typical 2,000square-foot house should cost about $800 and take about three hours, according to James Thomas, whose firm, Patriot Dryer Vent Cleaning, cleans air ducts in addition to dryer vents. Thomas recommends air ducts be cleaned every three to five years, more often for homeowners with pets or allergies.
Can I DIY? While you can easily clean the first few feet beyond the air duct register with a vacuum cleaner hose and extension, accessing the full length of ductwork requires specialized tools, such as extendable brushes that are attached to a power drill and spin to loosen and remove dirt. This is a messy job, so be sure to take precautions, such as covering vent openings to prevent dirt from backing up into the house.
Chimneys
The dirt: You don’t have to be Bert, the chimney sweep from “Mary Poppins,” to know that cleaning a woodburning chimney is a messy business. Over time, the inside of a chimney develops a buildup of creosote, a black, tarlike substance that forms as wood smoke rises up the flue. If it gets too hot, creosote can ignite and, if there are cracks in the chimney itself, spark a house fire.
The cleanse: Any wood-burning chimney used more than a few times a year should be inspected annually for damage and creosote buildup, recommends Javier Alonso, owner of Alamo Chimney Sweeps. Look for warning signs such as cracks in the hearth or brick, smoke or dark markings emanating from between the bricks and moisture, or rust on the back wall or sides of the firebox.
Chimney sweeps use an auger to break up the creosote and a high-power vacuum to keep dust and dirt to a minimum. A good cleaning should cost about $200, take less than an hour and include an inspection of the chimney.
Can I DIY? Perhaps, depending on the amount of creosote buildup and whether you feel comfortable climbing on your roof. You’ll also need to measure the flue liner so you can get the right size brush; place tarps around the fireplace inside to protect the floor and furnishings; and then clean up afterward. It’s a big job, so consider leaving it to the professionals.
Dryer vents
The dirt: These vents, which run from the dryer to the outside of the house, remove excess heat and moisture during the drying cycle. Over time, they can become clogged with lint, dust, even bird nests and other debris. A clogged vent makes your dryer work harder than necessary, wasting energy and taking longer to dry clothes, according to Thomas. If this material gets too hot, it can ignite and cause a fire.
The cleanse: Experts recommend cleaning dryer vents once a year. Professional cleaners use a rotating bristle brush to clear the vent, pushing the debris out through the exhaust. For a typical residential home, cleaning should take about 30 minutes and cost about $100.
Can I DIY? In most homes, yes. After unplugging the dryer and disconnecting it from the vent, remove any lint you can reach by hand — wear gloves — and suction out the rest with a vacuum, using extensions if necessary. Repeat the process from the outside vent. For longer vents, snake a flexible brush through the vent, rotating it as you go to push the debris through the outside opening. Consider buying a dryer vent cleaning kit to help with the task.
Solar panels
The dirt: As Maldonado discovered, solar panels can get pretty dirty over time. Like cholesterol in the arteries, that dirt can gunk up the works, reducing a solar cell’s efficiency by about 2% per year. Too much dirt can stress the rest of the system, too, leading to its premature failure.
“Solar systems are supposed to last about 20 years,” said Solar Service’s Rodriguez. “If they’re not cleaned, they might not last 10.”
The cleanse: Removing all that accumulated crud is usually pretty simple, requiring only water and a gentle nylon brush. If the panels are really filthy, Rodriguez’s techs might also apply a gentle solvent to help break up the dirt.
In San Antonio, solar panels should be cleaned every six to 12 months to keep them working efficiently. Cleaning a typical-size single-family home’s solar system will cost approximately $250 and take one to two hours, depending on how dirty they are. Most cleaning services include a system inspection as well.
Can I DIY? It depends on how comfortable you are climbing on your roof. If it’s gently sloped roof and not more than one story high, you should be able to handle it. If not, consider leaving the job to the professionals.
If you decide to clean the panels yourself, be sure to use only water from a low-pressure hose, a soft sponge, rag or brush and, if necessary, some dish soap. No power-washing or harsh chemicals, which can damage the panels’ protective coating. And be sure to unplug the system before you start working.