Cleaning ventilation ducts with a drill
With a drill and a soft nylon head you clean dust and dirt off the wall of a ventilation duct, in metal or plastic, also with bends. Here is everything you need and how to choose.
See the productsWhich head do I need?
The equipment
6 mm flexible cable with headOne piece, 2 to 15 m. No joints that can come loose.DZ320 to DZ324
Soft nylon duct brushSoft black bristles, for openings up to 450 mm and delicate liners.DZ120 (17 mm rod), DZ221 (12 mm rod)
Double spiral headOne head for ventilation ducts and flues, up to 450 mm.DZ114 (17 mm rod), DZ214 (12 mm rod)
Duct cleaning headNylon bristles, if you already have 17 mm rods.DZ123
Rod 17 mm, 1 m5 versions, from very flexible to stiff aluminium.DZ101 to DZ105
Rod 12 mm, 1 m3 versions: flexible, very flexible and sturdy.DZ201 to DZ203
Drill adapterConnects the rod to the drill. Each rod size has its own adapter.DZ140 (17 mm), DZ240 (12 mm)
Spare nylon bristlesShort black bristles for the duct brush. The head stays in use.DZ192
Floor sheet 1.5 x 2 mWaterproof nylon for floor and furniture. Folds to fit your pocket.DZ194
Smoke pellets, 6 pcsWhite, odourless smoke, 15 m³ per pellet. Shows leaks and draught.DZ830
Delivery to order, about 1 week.
Cable or rods?
6 mm flexible cable
One piece with a cleaning head and no joints, so nothing can come loose in the duct. You choose a length: 2, 3, 5, 10 or 15 m. The cable goes straight into the drill.
Handy if you clean ventilation ducts often or if there are many bends.
Rods with a brush
The rods click together, one per metre of duct. The brush goes on the front, the drill adapter on the back. All versions of the same size fit together.
Handy if you already have the rods from a sweeping set. Tight bends? Take the red rod, DZ103 or DZ202.
Which head do I need?
| Your job | Take |
|---|---|
| Ventilation duct with delicate liners | Soft nylon duct brush, DZ120 or DZ221 |
| Ventilation ducts and flues with one head | Double spiral, DZ114 or DZ214 |
| You already have 17 mm rods | Duct cleaning head DZ123 |
| Many bends, without separate rods | 6 mm flexible cable, DZ320 to DZ324 |
| Cooker hood duct | 6 mm flexible cable: the nylon head also removes grease |
| Flue with soot | Not these heads: nylon brush DZ110 or DZ210, or the 10 mm cable (DZ300 to DZ304) |
How to clean a ventilation duct
Get everything ready
Put the floor sheet down and take the valve or grille off the duct. Write down which valve belongs to which duct and how it was set: they are balanced.
Fit the head on the drill
Use a drill with variable speed and an adjustable torque limiter. Never use hammer mode.
Slide the head gently into the duct
Start slowly. If the head jams, stop at once. With rods, add one at a time.
Pull back and vacuum the dust
Clean on the way back as well. Vacuum the loosened dust at the opening of the duct.
Test with a smoke pellet
Light the pellet at the opening of the duct, following the instructions, and watch where the smoke goes. Smoke coming out of a joint means a leak there. Make sure the room is well ventilated.
Drill speed
| Direction | Speed | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 mm flexible cable | Clockwise only | 500 rpm going in, up to 800 rpm pulling back |
| Duct brush or double spiral | Both allowed, preferably one chosen direction | About 500 rpm |
| Duct cleaning head DZ123 | Both allowed, preferably one chosen direction | Slow start, variable speed |
These are recommended values and not the mechanical maximum. Use the higher speed when pulling back only if you know the route and the access.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a ventilation duct be cleaned?
Can I clean a ventilation duct with a drill?
What do 6, 12 and 17 mm mean?
Do I always need the drill adapter?
Also for a cooker hood duct?
When do I replace the bristles?
Do you also do the cleaning?
Everything for duct cleaning in one place
Ten products on one page. Not sure about your duct? Send us a photo or the dimensions.
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