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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Before
AfterAir Duct Cleaning in Dearborn Heights, MI
The job most Dearborn Heights homeowners call us for first is dryer vent cleaning, and for good reason: with furnaces running hard from October through April and air conditioning cycling through July and August, lint-clogged venting turns a routine laundry load into a measurable fire hazard and a chronic damp-clothes problem. Homes here, built dense for UAW auto workers between the late 1940s and early 1970s, carry 50-to-70-year-old duct systems that were never designed for modern dryer airflow. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written price on any of the services below.
Why Dearborn Heights Homes Are Different
Dearborn Heights is overwhelmingly a city of single-story brick ranches and 1.5-story Cape Cods, framed and finished quickly during the postwar auto boom. Those homes share a mechanical signature: sheet-metal duct systems joined with cloth tape rather than mastic, return-air plenums built into unsealed joist bays or block cavities, and registers sized for furnaces that predate high-efficiency air handlers. Sixty years of thermal cycling has dried that cloth tape to the point of failure, so the seams leak. What leaks in, leaks in from wherever the chase happens to run: attic insulation fibers, basement dust, crawlspace air. We find it with a camera before we touch anything.
The proximity of the lower Rouge River corridor means basements in Dearborn Heights hold more humidity than the regional average, and Wayne County’s clay soil holds that moisture against foundation walls. Supply ducts routed through lower levels absorb it. When a sump fails or a minor backup occurs, the visible water gets cleaned, the ducts do not, and the system pushes spores through the house for months afterward. That pattern, repeated across hundreds of Dearborn Heights jobs, is why we photograph every duct run before and after: so the record matches the work, and the work matches the actual condition of the house.
Our Main Dearborn Heights Services
Two services account for the majority of our calls in Dearborn Heights, and each has a dedicated page with local pricing, sub-jobs, and the specific conditions we find in ranch-era duct systems.
Air Duct Cleaning in Dearborn Heights
Full-system negative-pressure extraction in Dearborn Heights homes means sealing the register, connecting a HEPA-filtered vacuum to the plenum, and agitating every supply and return run with rotary brushes from brands like Rotobrush and Nikro. On 1950s-to-1970s ranch systems we routinely document a 2-to-3-inch debris layer at the first elbow off the plenum, along with cloth-tape fibers that have shed into the airstream. The before-and-after camera record is part of the job, not an add-on. Full details, including pricing tables: Air Duct Cleaning in Dearborn Heights.
HVAC Cleaning in Dearborn Heights
HVAC cleaning in Dearborn Heights extends beyond the ducts to the blower wheel, evaporator coil, drain pan, and plenum surfaces, where the combination of lower-Rouge humidity and year-round mechanical load leaves biological films and debris that duct-only cleaning misses. On a Cape Cod with the furnace in a damp basement, the coil alone can account for most of the airflow resistance. We document every component with the same photo record. See the full scope and pricing here: HVAC Cleaning in Dearborn Heights.
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 Dearborn Heights
Dryer vent cleaning in Dearborn Heights is preventative work, not cosmetic work: the housing stock is filled with long horizontal vent runs that pass through joist bays before exiting through a side wall or roof, and those runs were installed under codes that allowed white vinyl flex pipe. That material traps lint at every sag and turn, and with furnaces running for months, the indoor air is dry enough to turn the trapped lint into kindling. Our Dryer Vent Cleaning service includes a camera verification pass through the entire run, so you see the obstruction before we clear it and the clean pipe after.
Vent Cleaning
Signs you need it
Clothes take more than one full cycle to dry, or the dryer shuts off before the timer ends.
What it costs in Dearborn Heights
Standard dryer vent cleaning in Dearborn Heights runs $120 to $260 for a single-run system.
How we do it
We disconnect the flex connector, feed a rotary auger brush through the full run from both ends, vacuum the debris out, then pass a camera through to verify the pipe is clear.
Lint Removal
Signs you need it
A mat of lint visible at the exterior vent flap, or a burning smell during a dry cycle.
What it costs in Dearborn Heights
Heavy lint removal from a blocked long run in Dearborn Heights runs $180 to $350, reflecting the extra passes and disassembly.
How we do it
We separate the dislodged lint by section, capture it into a HEPA-filtered vacuum, and photograph the blockage site before clearing so the job record shows what was removed.
Bird Guard Installation
Signs you need it
Debris, twigs, or bird activity visible at the exterior vent hood, or chirping behind the wall near the laundry room.
What it costs in Dearborn Heights
Adding a bird guard to an existing vent hood in Dearborn Heights costs $80 to $200, including the guard and mounting hardware.
How we do it
We clean the vent path first, then install a louvered metal guard over the exterior termination and seal the mounting flange against water intrusion.
What Dryer Vent Cleaning Costs in Dearborn Heights
| Item | Typical range in Dearborn Heights |
|---|---|
| Standard vent cleaning (single run) | $120 - $260 |
| Heavy lint removal (blocked long run) | $180 - $350 |
| Bird guard installation | $80 - $200 |
Every figure above is the written price range you receive before work begins, under Haven Standard Clause 1. No per-vent add-ons, no surprise dispatch fees.
How often should dryer vents be cleaned in Dearborn Heights?
Once a year for ranches with short exterior-wall vents, and twice a year for longer runs through joist bays or roofs. Cloth-tape-era construction in Dearborn Heights means lint and tape fibers accumulate together, so the airtightness of the run matters as much as the lint load. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written quote before your next full season of furnace use.
Can a clogged dryer vent cause other problems in a Dearborn Heights basement?
Yes. A restricted vent dumps warm, humid exhaust into the mechanical space, and in Dearborn Heights basements near the Rouge River corridor that extra moisture supports mold on ducts and stored items. The vent itself is the fix: clear it, verify the run with a camera, then re-check humidity. Estimates are free at (806) 606-6902.
Duct Repair & Sealing in Dearborn Heights
Duct repair and sealing in Dearborn Heights is rarely about one failed seam. The original cloth tape on 50-to-70-year-old ranch systems has typically degraded everywhere, so the work we do is systematic: locate the leakage points with a pressure test, then seal them with mastic and mechanical fasteners rather than tape that will fail again. The Rouge River’s humidity accelerates the problem in lower-level chases, but the mechanism is the same in every house: air you paid to condition is leaving the system before it reaches a register. See the full Duct Repair & Sealing scope for Dearborn Heights.
Duct Sealing
Signs you need it
Rooms on the far end of the house stay cold in winter, or the furnace runs longer than it should to hold temperature.
What it costs in Dearborn Heights
Sealing accessible duct seams with mastic in Dearborn Heights runs $350 to $850 for a typical ranch.
How we do it
We identify leaking seams with a pressure test and smoke pencil, then brush on fiber-reinforced mastic and document each sealed joint with the camera.
Flex Duct Repair
Signs you need it
A collapsed or kinked flex run is visible in the attic, or one specific room gets almost no airflow despite an open register.
What it costs in Dearborn Heights
Replacing a failed flex run in Dearborn Heights runs $150 to $400 per run, depending on length and access.
How we do it
We remove the damaged run, install new R-6 flex with mastic-sealed connectors, and photograph the old run beside the new one as part of the job record.
Duct Insulation
Signs you need it
Condensation forms on exposed metal ductwork in the basement, or the air at the register feels noticeably warmer than the air at the plenum.
What it costs in Dearborn Heights
Insulating exposed ductwork in a Dearborn Heights basement runs $400 to $1,200 depending on the linear feet and diameter.
How we do it
We wrap and seal each accessible section with fiberglass or foil-faced insulation, then re-test the system for static pressure and airflow.
What Duct Repair & Sealing Costs in Dearborn Heights
| Item | Typical range in Dearborn Heights |
|---|---|
| Mastic duct sealing (typical ranch) | $350 - $850 |
| Flex duct replacement (per run) | $150 - $400 |
| Duct insulation (exposed basement runs) | $400 - $1,200 |
These are whole-system ranges for Dearborn Heights, written before work begins. The final number depends on how many seams have failed and how much of the system is accessible, not on how persuasive the technician’s estimate sounds.
Is duct sealing worth it in a Dearborn Heights ranch built in the 1960s?
Yes, and it is usually one of the highest-return repairs in this housing stock. After sealing, the conditioned air reaches the far registers instead of the joist bays, so the furnace runs less. We document every sealed seam with before-and-after photos so the work is verifiable. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written scope.
What causes duct seams to fail in Dearborn Heights basements?
Cloth tape adhesive breaks down from thermal cycling and humidity, and in Dearborn Heights the lower-Rouge moisture accelerates it on lower-level runs. The failure is gradual: air leaks along every seam for years before the homeowner notices a cold room. A pressure test finds it in one visit, and the fix is mastic, not tape.
Air Quality & Sanitizing in Dearborn Heights
Air quality and sanitizing in Dearborn Heights concentrates on the systems that carry whatever the basement holds into every room of the house. The oldest neighborhoods close to the lower Rouge River have basements with chronically elevated humidity, and that humidity, trapped in a badly sealed return plenum, becomes a mold reservoir that repeated surface cleanings never reach. Our Air Quality & Sanitizing service treats the duct system as the source, not the symptom.
Mold Treatment
Signs you need it
A persistent musty smell that worsens when the furnace runs, or visible mold on registers and boots near the floor.
What it costs in Dearborn Heights
Post-remediation sanitizing of the duct system in Dearborn Heights runs $250 to $650 per system.
How we do it
We clean the affected surfaces first, then fog an EPA-registered antimicrobial through the supply and return runs, and document the pre-treatment condition with the camera.
Bacteria Sanitizing
Signs you need it
A household member has recurring respiratory irritation indoors that clears when away from home, with no visible mold present.
What it costs in Dearborn Heights
Whole-system bacteria sanitizing in Dearborn Heights runs $200 to $450, depending on the number of duct runs.
How we do it
We deploy a ULV fogger through the plenum and each register boot in sequence, with the blower running to distribute the sanitizer through the entire circulation path.
Odor Removal
Signs you need it
Smoke, pet, or previous-owner odors return within days of cleaning, sourced from residue inside the ductwork.
What it costs in Dearborn Heights
Duct-system odor neutralization in Dearborn Heights runs $300 to $650, often combined with cleaning for a single written price.
How we do it
We identify the source surfaces by borescope, clean them, then apply an odor-neutralizing agent designed for HVAC interiors rather than masking the smell.
UV Light Installation
Signs you need it
Recurring coil mold or a basement air handler that stays damp through the cooling season.
What it costs in Dearborn Heights
UV light installation in a Dearborn Heights air handler runs $450 to $900, including the lamp and mounting.
How we do it
We mount the lamp upstream of the evaporator coil, wire it to run when the blower runs, and verify intensity with a radiometer before we close the panel.
What Air Quality & Sanitizing Costs in Dearborn Heights
| Item | Typical range in Dearborn Heights |
|---|---|
| Mold treatment (post-remediation) | $250 - $650 |
| Bacteria sanitizing (whole system) | $200 - $450 |
| Odor removal (duct system) | $300 - $650 |
| UV light installation | $450 - $900 |
Each range is a written price delivered before work begins, with the specific brand and model of any equipment named on the estimate. No mystery “sanitizing package” that turns into a larger invoice once the van is parked.
Does air duct sanitizing actually reach the mold in a Dearborn Heights return plenum?
Only if the plenum is cleaned first. Sanitizer on top of a debris layer kills the surface and leaves the reservoir underneath. We clean the surfaces, then fog, then photograph the result in the plenum and the boots. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written quote on the full sequence.
Will UV lights installed in a Dearborn Heights basement air handler solve mold permanently?
UV lamps suppress microbial growth on the coil and nearby surfaces while they run, but they cannot fix the underlying humidity that feeds mold in a Rouge River-adjacent basement. We install Honeywell and Aprilaire units and also address airflow and sealing so the system stays dry. A written scope covers both.
Brands We Service in Dearborn Heights
We stock parts for and service equipment from Honeywell, Aprilaire, and Guardsman, among others. Our Dearborn Heights crews carry common filters, UV lamps, and vent guards locally so most installs complete in a single visit, with any special-order part quoted by name before we order it. See the full list on our brands page.
Pricing for Air Duct Cleaning in Dearborn Heights, MI
| Service | Typical range in Dearborn Heights |
|---|---|
| Dryer vent cleaning (standard run) | $120 - $260 |
| Heavy lint removal (blocked run) | $180 - $350 |
| Bird guard installation | $80 - $200 |
| Mastic duct sealing (typical ranch) | $350 - $850 |
| Flex duct replacement (per run) | $150 - $400 |
| Duct insulation (exposed basement) | $400 - $1,200 |
| Mold treatment (post-remediation) | $250 - $650 |
| Bacteria sanitizing (whole system) | $200 - $450 |
| Odor removal (duct system) | $300 - $650 |
| UV light installation | $450 - $900 |
What pushes a Dearborn Heights job toward the top of these ranges: longer vent runs through joist bays, multiple failed flex runs, basement humidity that requires treatment before sanitizing, and access to plenums built into sealed ceiling cavities. None of that changes how we price: the written number we hand you before work starts is the number on the invoice when we leave.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Dearborn Heights
Our crews work the full grid of Dearborn Heights, from the older blocks south of Michigan Avenue near the Rouge River corridor to the mid-century subdivisions east of Telegraph Road. Most service calls are reached within a single scheduled visit window, and the written quote covers the whole house regardless of which block you are on.
- Dearborn Heights East, along Telegraph
- The South End, near the Rouge River
- Canfield area
- Crestwood district, west of Beech Daly
- Warren Avenue corridor
Service Area - Cities Near Dearborn Heights
CleanRun serves Dearborn Heights and the surrounding Wayne County communities, including Dearborn, MI to the east, Taylor, MI to the south, Lincoln Park, MI to the southeast, and Redford, MI to the north. Scheduling and dispatch for Dearborn Heights jobs are coordinated from the brand’s Detroit office, with local crews on the ground across the area.
Serving Dearborn Heights, MI - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Dearborn Heights 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 Dearborn Heights
No. Air duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, duct sealing, and sanitizing are maintenance items that do not require a city permit in Dearborn Heights. If we find a repair that falls outside that scope, like a structural modification to a vent termination, we will tell you what the city requires before any work is scheduled. Your written estimate stays the same either way.
Most Dearborn Heights appointments are scheduled within a window of a few business days, and our Detroit dispatch coordinates all local crews. Because every job begins with a written price and a camera inspection rather than a door-knock coupon, the scheduling is slower than a shop-vac outfit and the work takes longer. That is the point: call (806) 606-6902 for a date and a written quote.
We service the entire city of Dearborn Heights, from the Rouge River side to the Telegraph corridor and everything between. The written price is the same regardless of which block you are on; the only variable is the condition of your duct system, which we document with photographs before we change anything. Free second opinions on any written estimate are available at no cost.
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 Dearborn Heights Customers Say
"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."Flat price agreed up front, no per-vent add-ons at the end. That was the whole reason I did not call the coupon company."
- Suzanne B."The dryer vent was almost completely blocked with lint. They showed me the photograph and I understood immediately why the dryer had been running twice."
- Lucia M.