Buying a Home in Dallas? Put a Duct Inspection on the Checklist
Buying a Home in Dallas? Add a Duct Inspection to Your List
You’ve seen the house twice, read the seller’s disclosure, and brought in a home inspector. But there’s something Dallas homebuyers often forget: the home inspector won’t inspect your air ducts. That means when you buy the house, you’re inheriting whatever was in those ducts — all the dust, dirt, and other stuff left over by the last owner.
What the Home Inspector Won’t Check
The home inspector will verify the heating and cooling system turns on, air comes out of the vents, and the equipment seems to be running properly. That’s a check to make sure the HVAC equipment is operating. It’s not a check to make sure the equipment isn’t dirty. Only when a camera is sent down the ductwork is it possible to see all the accumulated dust, dirt, and other debris inside the ducts. The equipment could be running but the ducts may not have been cleaned in years. That’s why our duct inspection includes a video camera so we can see what is really inside the ducts, rather than just testing what comes out of the vents.
What Homeowners Typically Inherit
In Dallas area homes being sold, we commonly find:
* **Remodeling dust.** Drywall dust and wood chips that got sucked into the HVAC system and then weren’t cleaned out.
* **Pet hair and dander from previous homeowners.** Even after the pets are gone, their dander remains in the ducts.
* **Crushed or separated ductwork.** In some cases, the ductwork in the attic or crawlspace has come apart, allowing air to be lost and unfiltered air to be drawn into the ducts.
* **Dirty filters.** Many homeowners don’t change their furnace filters very often, resulting in dirty, clogged filters that have been filtering air for years.
None of these items would be detected in a typical home inspection. All of these items impact the air quality your family will breathe once you move in.
Inspect Before Closing on the Home
The duct inspection takes about 45 to 90 minutes. We’ll run a camera down the ducts and take photos of what we see — good or bad. So you’ll have pictures and documentation of what’s actually in your air ducts.
If the ducts are dirty, you can present the photos during the negotiation phase or simply plan to clean the ducts after you move in. Either way, you can decide what to do based on the actual condition of your ductwork rather than what you assume or hope.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Should I have the ducts inspected before or after closing on the home?
We recommend having the ducts inspected prior to closing if you can. That way, you can potentially negotiate a lower price based on the findings. However, if you can’t have the ducts inspected beforehand, we recommend scheduling the duct inspection as soon as you move in so you know what you’re starting with.
Is the duct inspection free?
Yes! The duct inspection is free when you purchase our duct cleaning services. However, if you simply want the inspection, you can request a standalone duct inspection as well.
What if the ducts don’t need to be cleaned?
That’s great! If your ducts don’t need cleaning, we will tell you. We don’t try to sell you more services than necessary.
Purchasing a home is hard enough without having to wonder what’s hidden inside your air ducts. Contact Clean Air Dallas Pro at (214) 935-5058 today to schedule your duct inspection.