Air Duct Cleaning Before & After in Seattle, WA
We’ve cleaned ductwork in Seattle homes since 2012, and we’re still not numb to what comes out of there. A camera inspection tells the real story. Below are actual jobs our technicians completed across the city, from Ballard bungalows to Capitol Hill townhomes. Each one shows what we found, what we did, and what the homeowner saw when we were done.
Recent Transformations
Ballard Craftsman: Decades of Dust and Construction Debris
The homeowner bought a 1924 Craftsman that had seen three renovations and zero duct cleanings. Our camera showed compacted drywall dust from a 2012 kitchen remodel, plus the usual pollen and pet dander layered on top. We used a Rotobrush system with HEPA containment, pulled out about 11 pounds of debris, and sealed two disconnected joints we found behind the basement wall. The after camera showed bare galvanized metal for the first time in years. The owner said the forced-air system finally sounded like it was breathing easier.
Queen Anne Condo: Dryer Vent Fire Hazard on the Third Floor
A property manager called after a tenant’s dryer was taking three cycles. The flex duct ran 22 feet through a shared wall with two 90-degree turns, and the lint accumulation was dense enough to block airflow completely. We replaced the flex with rigid metal venting, cleaned the full run with a Nikro rotary brush, and found a bird nest at the exterior termination. Dryer cycle time dropped to 47 minutes. The manager now schedules us annually for that building.
West Seattle Split-Level: Mold in the Return Plenum
The homeowner noticed a musty smell every time the heat kicked on, especially mornings. Our camera found active mold growth on the return plenum above the air handler, fed by a slow condensate leak the HVAC contractor had missed. We cleaned the plenum with Abatement Technologies contact agitation, applied an EPA-registered sanitizer, and documented the full process for the homeowner’s insurance. The smell was gone in 24 hours. We recommended the condensate pan repair, which their HVAC company handled the same week.
Capitol Hill Townhome: Duct Sealing Cut Energy Bills 23%
This 1978 townhome had never had its ducts touched. Our pressure test showed 34% leakage to unconditioned spaces, including a completely disconnected return in the crawl space. We rejoined the separated sections, sealed all joints with mastic, and wrapped the crawl run with proper insulation. The homeowner tracked their PSE bill for three months and saw a 23% drop in heating costs. They also stopped getting dust on the dining room table within a week of us finishing.
Magnolia Ranch: Post-Remodel Air Quality for a New Baby
Expecting parents in Magnolia finished a full-home remodel two weeks before their due date. The HVAC had run during construction, and fine drywall dust coated every surface inside the ductwork. We did a full system clean with camera verification at each register, then applied a low-VOC sanitizer safe for infants. The parents wanted documentation for their own peace of mind; we provided before-and-after video files on a thumb drive. Their pediatrician specifically asked about duct cleaning, and they had the footage ready.
Ravenna Basement: Animal Entry and Contamination
A Ravenna homeowner heard scratching in the basement ceiling for two nights before calling us. A Norway rat had chewed through a flexible duct branch and built a nest in the insulation. We removed the contaminated flex, installed a rigid metal replacement with a rodent-proof screen, and cleaned the entire supply system to remove droppings and allergens. We also found and sealed the exterior entry point they were using. The homeowner’s allergy symptoms, which had spiked that month, settled down within the week.
What Every Job Has in Common
Camera inspection before and after. Upfront pricing before we touch a tool. Background-checked, uniformed technicians who show up when we say. And the 90-Day Done Right Promise stamped on every invoice - if something’s not right, we make it right, no paperwork, no arguing.
We’ve got four standing offers that apply to most of what you see above: $50 off any repair over $250, a free second opinion on any written estimate, an $89 seasonal tune-up, and a permanent 5% senior and veteran discount. We’ll tell you which ones fit your situation when you call.
Want Results Like These?
Call (833) 700-5198. A live person answers, 24 hours a day. We’ll schedule a camera inspection, show you exactly what’s in your ducts, and give you one honest price before we start. No bait coupons, no price changes at the door. We’ve been doing it this way in Seattle since 2012.
Written by Colin Merritt, Owner at Bellows Air Duct & Vent Co. of Seattle, serving Seattle since 2012.