Whole-system duct and dryer vent check with before-and-after photos - you see exactly what came out of your vents
That "$99 whole-house special" is a bait ad - the real number appears once they are in your hallway, or the "clean" is a shop-vac at the register. We photograph the inside of your ducts before and after instead.
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After
Before
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Before
AfterAir Duct Cleaning in Evanston, IL
Dryer vent cleaning in Evanston is not a quick vacuum job. The city’s housing stock, dense with homes built before 1940, means vents are often long, narrow, and in some cases still original. Add the near-constant lake humidity east of Ridge Avenue, and lint clogs faster here than in Wilmette or Skokie just a few miles west. If you are searching for air duct cleaning services that understand Evanston’s older mechanical systems, call (806) 606-6902 for a written price before any work begins.
Why Evanston Homes Are Different
Evanston has one of the most intact pre-war housing inventories on the North Shore. A large share of the single-family homes and courtyard buildings in the historic districts date from the 1890s through the 1930s. Many still run on their original octopus-style gravity ductwork or very early sheet-metal forced-air systems. These ducts have irregular diameters, run through unconditioned basements and attics, and were sealed with cloth tape that has long since crumbled. Cleaning them takes more time and more care than the standard tract-home ductwork common in Arlington Heights or Schaumburg.
The lakefront changes the work too. Homes east of Ridge Avenue sit in a microclimate with persistent onshore airflow and elevated relative humidity year-round. That moisture condenses inside leaky, uninsulated duct runs. In a 1920s home near the lake, we regularly find the inside of a supply duct coated with a damp, gray film that a home three miles inland simply will not produce. Technicians working in Evanston also need to watch for asbestos-containing tape or millboard wrap on older plenums and duct joints. If the camera shows that material, brushes and vacuums stop. A licensed abatement contractor must handle it before any cleaning can proceed, which is a reality most suburban crews never encounter.
Our Main Evanston Services
Most Evanston homeowners call us about two things: the full-system cleaning and the HVAC cleaning tied to older furnaces and air handlers. Both are documented with before-and-after photos of every duct run, and both get a written price before any panel comes off. Here is what each involves in Evanston specifically.
Air Duct Cleaning in Evanston
Full-system Air Duct Cleaning in Evanston means every supply and return run gets negative-pressure extraction with a Rotobrush or Nikro system. In a pre-war Evanston home, that often includes two or three odd-sized runs the original builder added decades after construction. We photograph the inside of each run before and after, so you can see the actual debris removal rather than taking anyone’s word for it.
HVAC Cleaning in Evanston
HVAC Cleaning in Evanston focuses on the blower, evaporator coil, and plenum. Older Evanston furnaces, particularly those paired with gravity conversions, collect a fine layer of dust and biological growth on the coil that standard duct cleaning never touches. We clean the full path air travels through, then document every component with the same photo record.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
BeforeAfterDryer Vent Cleaning in Evanston
Dryer vent cleaning in Evanston is a safety job first. The city’s older homes often hide long, narrow vent runs with multiple elbows, and the lakefront humidity makes the lint inside those runs cling and compact. A clogged vent in a 1910s house near the lake is not a maintenance nuisance, it is a fire hazard that builds faster than most homeowners realize. We keep our Dryer Vent Cleaning process fully documented, with a written price and before-and-after photos on every job.
Vent Cleaning
Signs you need it
Clothes take more than one cycle to dry, the dryer feels hot to the touch, or you can see lint escaping the outdoor vent cap.
What it costs in Evanston
A standard roof or sidewall vent cleaning in Evanston typically runs $150 to $320, depending on run length and access.
How we do it
We run rotating brushes and a HEPA-filtered negative-air system from the dryer connection to the exterior termination, then photograph both ends to confirm the path is clear.
Lint Removal
Signs you need it
You find a dense, compressed plug of lint behind the dryer or inside the vent pipe, or the exterior flap no longer opens when the dryer runs.
What it costs in Evanston
Full lint removal, including the cavity behind the dryer and the entire run to the outside, typically costs $175 to $350.
How we do it
We pull the dryer, clear the cavity and transition, then push a rod-and-brush head through the full run while the negative-air system collects debris at both ends.
What Dryer Vent Cleaning Costs in Evanston
| Item | Typical range in Evanston |
|---|---|
| Dryer vent inspection | $90 - $180 |
| Standard vent cleaning | $150 - $320 |
| Full lint removal and clearance | $175 - $350 |
How long does dryer vent cleaning take in Evanston?
Most Evanston vent cleanings take 45 to 90 minutes. Older homes with longer runs, multiple elbows, or roof terminations can take longer. We tell you the expected time on your written price before work starts.
Does a ground-floor or basement dryer cost more to clean in Evanston?
Basement dryer vents in Evanston often run 20 to 30 feet to reach a sidewall or roof cap. The extra length and elbows add time. Your written price reflects the specific run, not a flat rate that gets adjusted later. Call (806) 606-6902 for an exact figure.
Duct Repair & Sealing in Evanston
Duct repair in Evanston is usually about age. The original sheet-metal and cloth-taped joints on pre-war systems leak air into basements and wall cavities, and the lake-driven humidity eats at the metal over time. Our Duct Repair & Sealing work starts with a camera inspection so you can see exactly where the leaks are before we touch anything.
Duct Sealing
Signs you need it
Rooms at the end of long runs stay cold in winter, the basement feels warm even with the furnace off, or your utility bills run high despite a functioning system.
What it costs in Evanston
Sealing the accessible runs and main connections in an average Evanston home typically costs $500 to $1,200 depending on how much access the basement or crawlspace allows.
How we do it
We locate leaks with a visual inspection and smoke test, then seal joints with mastic and reinforce with aluminum tape as needed, photographing each repair before and after.
Metal Duct Repair
Signs you need it
You see rust, loose sections, or actual holes in exposed ductwork, or the camera shows separated seams inside a wall or ceiling cavity.
What it costs in Evanston
Repairing a rusted or separated metal duct section in Evanston runs $400 to $900 per section, including sealing the finished repair.
How we do it
We cut out the damaged section, fit a new metal piece to the existing run, and seal it with mastic so the repair holds under negative pressure.
What Duct Repair & Sealing Costs in Evanston
| Item | Typical range in Evanston |
|---|---|
| Sealing accessible duct runs | $500 - $1,200 |
| Metal duct section repair | $400 - $900 per section |
| Flex duct replacement | $350 - $700 per run |
Do Evanston homes with gravity ducts need the same sealing work?
Yes, often more so. Gravity systems depend on natural stack pressure, so any leak cuts airflow significantly. The cloth tape on original joints is nearly always degraded in pre-war Evanston homes. Sealing restores much of the original balance.
Can duct sealing keep lake humidity out of the system?
Properly sealed ducts reduce the amount of humid outside air drawn into the system through gaps. That slows biological growth and condensation inside the runs, particularly in homes east of Ridge Avenue. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written assessment.
Air Quality & Sanitizing in Evanston
Air quality work in Evanston is driven by the lake. Persistent onshore humidity pushes moisture into aging duct runs, and once a biological film forms, ordinary vacuuming will not remove it. Our Air Quality & Sanitizing service treats the duct surfaces themselves, not just the air passing through them, and we document the condition before and after.
Mold Treatment
Signs you need it
You see or smell a musty, earthy odor from the registers, or the camera shows visible discoloration on the interior of the duct surfaces.
What it costs in Evanston
Mold treatment for the full duct system in an average Evanston home typically runs $600 to $1,400 depending on the extent of the affected area.
How we do it
We apply an EPA-registered antimicrobial to the affected surfaces after agitation, then run the system to distribute the treatment and document the before-and-after condition.
UV Light Installation
Signs you need it
You have recurring biological growth on the coil or inside the plenum, or a household member has persistent respiratory symptoms that improve away from home.
What it costs in Evanston
A professionally installed UV light system on the supply side of the coil in Evanston typically runs $800 to $1,800 including the lamp and housing.
How we do it
We mount a Honeywell or Aprilaire UV lamp in the plenum so the coil and air stream stay exposed, then wire it to run continuously.
What Air Quality & Sanitizing Costs in Evanston
| Item | Typical range in Evanston |
|---|---|
| Full-system mold treatment | $600 - $1,400 |
| UV light installation | $800 - $1,800 |
| Bacteria sanitizing and odor removal | $250 - $600 |
Will sanitizing get rid of the lake-smell in my ducts?
If the odor comes from biological growth on the duct surfaces, yes. The treatment kills what the camera shows. If the smell is coming from a dead animal or sewer gas, that is a different repair. We identify the source before recommending a fix.
Is UV light worth it in an Evanston home?
For homes east of Ridge Avenue that fight coil growth every summer, UV light can reduce the frequency of coil cleanings. It does not replace filtration. Your written quote includes the lamp model so you can compare specifications yourself.
Brands We Service in Evanston
Our crews work with the equipment already in your home, including Honeywell and Aprilaire air quality controls, Abatement Technologies HEPA units, and Guardsman access tools. We stock common filters and UV lamps locally, so our brands page shows what we carry and what we can source within a day or two for Evanston jobs.
Pricing for Air Duct Cleaning in Evanston, IL
| Service | Typical range in Evanston |
|---|---|
| Dryer vent inspection | $90 - $180 |
| Standard dryer vent cleaning | $150 - $320 |
| Dryer lint removal and clearance | $175 - $350 |
| Duct sealing (accessible runs) | $500 - $1,200 |
| Metal duct section repair | $400 - $900 per section |
| Flex duct replacement | $350 - $700 per run |
| Full-system mold treatment | $600 - $1,400 |
| UV light installation | $800 - $1,800 |
| Bacteria sanitizing and odor removal | $250 - $600 |
| Full HVAC cleaning | $400 - $900 |
Prices in Evanston run higher than the surrounding suburbs because of access. Basement and crawlspace work in century-old homes takes longer, and lakefront homes often require extra drying time before sanitizing agents bond correctly. Every job gets a written price before any work starts, under Haven Standard Clause 1, and that price is the price.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Evanston
We cover the full city, from the lakefront streets east of Sheridan Road to the western neighborhoods near the canal. Response time from our Chicago dispatch office is usually same-day or next-day for Evanston callers depending on crew availability.
- Lakeshore Historic District
- Ridge Historic District
- Downtown Evanston
- Northwest Evanston
- Central Street corridor
Service Area - Cities Near Evanston
While this page focuses on Evanston, our crews also serve the surrounding North Shore and metro communities. If you are in Chicago, IL, Arlington Heights, IL, Cicero, IL, or Schaumburg, IL, you can find location-specific details on those pages or call (806) 606-6902 for a written price.
Serving Evanston, IL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Evanston area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Air Duct Cleaning in Evanston
Duct cleaning does not require a permit. If repair work involves structural modification or new penetrations, Evanston’s building department may require permits depending on scope. We flag that on the written price before work begins, not after the inspection.
Most Evanston homeowners get a crew within two to five business days. Lakefront homes with suspected asbestos-containing materials may need an inspection window first. Your written quote includes the schedule before you commit.
Yes. Many of Evanston’s pre-war courtyard buildings have shared duct chases and older sheet-metal runs. We have experience working within those systems, including coordinating access with building management when required. Call (806) 606-6902 for a free estimate and a written price.
Looking for a straight answer on your ductwork? Call CleanRun Air Duct Cleaning at (806) 606-6902. We will give you a written price before any work starts, and you will see the inside of your ducts on camera before and after the job.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local air duct cleaning pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you - the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Evanston Customers Say
"They found a disconnected duct in the crawl space that had been dumping conditioned air under the house for years. Photographed it, quoted the repair, fixed it."
- Devon A."On time, professional, and explained what the readings meant without talking down to me."
- Warren E."The before and after photographs of each run are the reason I used them. You cannot argue with what came out of the return."
- Marguerite O.