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.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterAir Duct Cleaning in San Francisco, CA
Dryer vent cleaning in San Francisco deals with a specific set of problems: Victorian-era wall chases, retrofitted duct runs through crawl spaces, and a marine layer that keeps lint damp and heavy inside the vent rather than dry and fluffy. The city’s oldest housing stock was never designed for forced air or modern venting, so runs are often irregular, undersized, and packed with accumulated debris that a standard cleaning leaves behind. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written price before any work starts.
Why San Francisco Homes Are Different
San Francisco’s fog corridor changes what we see inside ductwork. In the outer Sunset and outer Richmond, where summer fog rarely lifts, the relative humidity inside crawl-space duct runs stays elevated for months. That means dust and lint inside a vent never fully dry out. Instead it compacts into a dense, damp mat that restricts airflow and feeds mold. West of Twin Peaks, we regularly pull debris from sheet-metal ducts that is wet to the touch, a condition we almost never encounter in the inland East Bay or South Bay.
The housing stock compounds the problem. Victorians and Edwardians built between the 1880s and 1915 were not designed for forced-air systems, so ducts were retrofitted into shallow floor cavities, under-building crawl spaces, and narrow wall chases. Those irregular paths mean a job that takes 90 minutes in a 1990s tract home can take three hours in a Richmond or Noe Valley row house. Pre-1980 buildings also commonly have asbestos-containing duct insulation or surrounding materials, so the scope has to be assessed before any panel comes off. In the Sunset District’s 1930s-1950s “Sunset Special” homes, underslab sheet-metal ducts were installed without vapor barriers and now sit surrounded by damp soil. The wet, organic debris we pull from those runs is a signature San Francisco condition.
Our Main San Francisco Services
Two services account for the majority of what San Francisco homeowners call CleanRun about: full air duct cleaning and HVAC cleaning. Each has its own dedicated page for this city.
Air Duct Cleaning in San Francisco
Whole-system air duct cleaning in San Francisco means navigating the retrofit reality of Victorian, Edwardian, and 1930s-1950s homes. Duct runs wind through floor cavities and under-building crawl spaces, and in the fog belt they sit damp for much of the year. We use negative-pressure extraction to pull the built-up debris out of the entire run, photographing every section before and after. Air Duct Cleaning in San Francisco covers full pricing, the photo record, and how we handle the asbestos-adjacent scopes common in pre-1980 buildings.
HVAC Cleaning in San Francisco
The HVAC cleaning work we do in San Francisco differs from most U.S. markets: systems run infrequently because the mild climate needs little AC and only modest heat. That dormancy allows moisture and organic debris to accumulate inside the plenum, blower assembly, and evaporator coil whenever the system sits idle for months. CleanRun cleans the full path including registers, returns, and the air handler cabinet. HVAC Cleaning in San Francisco details the scope, the written price, and the photo documentation included on every job.
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 San Francisco
Dryer vent cleaning in San Francisco solves a problem this city’s housing creates: older, often multi-story row houses have long vent runs squeezed through wall chases and under floors, and the persistent marine layer keeps accumulated lint damp and highly flammable. The dense, moisture-heavy lint we pull from a typical Sunset or Richmond vent run is not the dry powder seen in inland cities. It is a compacted, damp plug that restricts airflow, drives up drying times, and burns hot when ignited. CleanRun’s Dryer Vent Cleaning sends a camera down every run first, so you see the obstruction before any work begins and after the run is clear.
Dryer Vent Inspection
Signs you need it
Clothes take two or more cycles to dry, the dryer is hot to the touch on the outside, or you catch a musty, warm-lint smell near the laundry area.
What it costs in San Francisco
A camera inspection runs $89 to $149, and the written scope it produces applies toward the cleaning price if you proceed.
How we do it
A high-resolution camera travels the full run from dryer to exterior termination, recording the exact build-up location, type, and thickness.
Vent Cleaning
Signs you need it
Visible lint at the exterior vent hood, longer drying cycles, or the dryer shuts off mid-cycle from overheating protection.
What it costs in San Francisco
Standard vent cleaning runs $129 to $249 in San Francisco, with longer multi-story row house runs at the top of that range.
How we do it
A HEPA-filtered rotary brush and compressed-air wands dislodge caked lint, then negative-pressure extraction pulls the debris to containment.
Lint Removal
Signs you need it
The vent hood flap won’t open fully, or you see a curtain of lint hanging from the exterior termination.
What it costs in San Francisco
Heavy lint removal from severely clogged runs costs $199 to $349 depending on run length and access.
How we do it
Rotating brushes sized to the duct diameter break the plug loose section by section, then full-length extraction clears the run to the exterior.
Vent Rerouting
Signs you need it
The current run is flexible foil snaking through a wall chase, has more than two elbows, or terminates in a crawl space rather than outside.
What it costs in San Francisco
Rerouting a dryer vent in San Francisco typically runs $450 to $900, reflecting the access challenges of Victorian wall chases and under-floor cavities.
How we do it
Rigid metal duct replaces the old run, elbows are minimized, and the termination moves to a code-compliant exterior point.
What Dryer Vent Cleaning Costs in San Francisco
| Item | Typical range in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Camera inspection | $89 - $149 |
| Standard vent cleaning | $129 - $249 |
| Heavy lint removal | $199 - $349 |
| Vent rerouting | $450 - $900 |
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned in San Francisco?
Every 12 to 18 months. San Francisco’s humid marine air compacts lint faster than the dry climates most national guidelines assume, so annual inspection is the minimum for homes in the fog belt. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written price.
Why does my dryer vent clog so much faster here?
The fog keeps lint damp, so it mats together rather than blowing through. Older row house runs are also longer and more twisted than modern construction allows. Call (806) 606-6902 for a free estimate.
Duct Repair & Sealing in San Francisco
Duct repair and sealing in San Francisco means dealing with retrofitted sheet-metal and flex runs that have spent decades in damp crawl spaces and shallow floor cavities. The marine layer corrodes metal, breaks down duct tape, and loosens joints, so sealed connections made ten years ago are typically leaking again. CleanRun’s Duct Repair & Sealing locates every leak with a pressure test, then seals and reinforces the run with mastic and metal-rated materials built to hold in this specific environment.
Duct Sealing
Signs you need it
Rooms heat unevenly, you feel warm or cool air in walls or floors near duct runs, or your energy bill climbs in months the system barely runs.
What it costs in San Francisco
Sealing accessible duct connections runs $350 to $700; crawl-space runs in Victorians and Sunset Specials land at the higher end.
How we do it
A pressure test quantifies the leak, then every accessible joint is sealed with UL-listed mastic and metal tape, not fabric duct tape.
Flex Duct Repair
Signs you need it
You see crushed, sagging, or torn flexible duct in a crawl space or attic, or specific rooms stay stuffy regardless of thermostat setting.
What it costs in San Francisco
Repairing or replacing damaged flex runs costs $250 to $600 per run depending on length and access.
How we do it
Damaged sections are cut out, new insulated flex is pulled, and each connection is sealed and strapped to code.
Metal Duct Repair
Signs you need it
Rust spots, separated seams, or visible holes in exposed sheet-metal duct in a garage or under-floor cavity.
What it costs in San Francisco
Sheet-metal patch and seam repair runs $200 to $500; replacing a fully corroded section adds materials on top.
How we do it
Corroded sections are cut out, matching-gauge metal is fitted, and seams are sealed with mastic and screwed, not taped.
What Duct Repair & Sealing Costs in San Francisco
| Item | Typical range in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Duct sealing | $350 - $700 |
| Flex duct repair | $250 - $600 per run |
| Metal duct repair | $200 - $500 |
Is duct sealing worth the cost in a mild climate like San Francisco?
Yes, because the same marine air that keeps temperatures mild also corrodes joints and causes hidden leaks. Sealed ducts mean conditioned air reaches its intended rooms. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written estimate.
Do pre-1980 San Francisco homes need asbestos testing before duct repair?
If the run passes through areas with suspect duct insulation or wrapping, we treat it as asbestos-adjacent and assess before cutting. The scope is documented in your written price. Call (806) 606-6902 with questions.
Air Quality & Sanitizing in San Francisco
Air quality work in San Francisco is often about mold, and in this city the mold is geography-driven. Fog-corridor neighborhoods west of Twin Peaks see condensation inside ducts even without any plumbing failure, and those damp crawl-space runs incubate the kind of organic growth that recirculates into bedrooms and living rooms. CleanRun’s Air Quality & Sanitizing treats the duct interior with hospital-grade antimicrobial agents after the source of moisture is identified and corrected, so the problem does not return with the next fog cycle.
Mold Treatment
Signs you need it
A persistent musty odor from the registers, dark staining visible at the supply vents, or allergy symptoms that spike when the heat runs.
What it costs in San Francisco
Whole-system mold treatment ranges from $500 to $1,200 in San Francisco, with crawl-space fog-belt homes at the upper end.
How we do it
Contaminated surfaces are HEPA-vacuumed, then treated with an EPA-registered antimicrobial fog that reaches the full duct interior.
Odor Removal
Signs you need it
Cooking smells, pet odor, or stale air linger for days after the source is gone, indicating the ducts are holding and recirculating the smell.
What it costs in San Francisco
Professional duct odor removal runs $250 to $450 as a standalone service; it is included in most sanitizing scopes.
How we do it
An activated-oxygen treatment neutralizes the odor molecules inside the duct run, followed by a full HEPA extraction pass.
UV Light Installation
Signs you need it
Recurring mold growth on the evaporator coil or inside the plenum despite previous cleaning and sanitizing.
What it costs in San Francisco
A UV-C light installed at the evaporator coil runs $600 to $1,100 including the unit and wiring.
How we do it
The UV lamp mounts inside the plenum at the coil, killing surface mold on contact and requiring annual bulb replacement at service.
What Air Quality & Sanitizing Costs in San Francisco
| Item | Typical range in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Mold treatment | $500 - $1,200 |
| Odor removal | $250 - $450 |
| UV light installation | $600 - $1,100 |
Is San Francisco’s fog really making my indoor air worse?
In neighborhoods west of Twin Peaks, yes. Elevated humidity inside ductwork means condensation forms inside runs, and damp duct interiors support growth that recirculates. Call (806) 606-6902 for an assessment.
How long does duct sanitizing last in this climate?
Antimicrobial treatment typically holds 12 to 18 months, but fog-corridor homes may need re-treatment more often. We document every application. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written estimate.
Brands We Service in San Francisco
We service and install equipment from Honeywell, Aprilaire, and Abatement Technologies in San Francisco homes. Parts are stocked locally at our Bay Area office, so common replacements ship to your appointment rather than delaying it. See our brands for the full equipment roster.
Pricing for Air Duct Cleaning in San Francisco, CA
| Service | Typical range in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Dryer vent inspection | $89 - $149 |
| Dryer vent cleaning | $129 - $249 |
| Heavy lint removal | $199 - $349 |
| Vent rerouting | $450 - $900 |
| Duct sealing | $350 - $700 |
| Flex duct repair | $250 - $600 per run |
| Metal duct repair | $200 - $500 |
| Mold treatment | $500 - $1,200 |
| Odor removal | $250 - $450 |
| UV light installation | $600 - $1,100 |
Three things push price up in San Francisco: access through Victorian wall chases and low crawl spaces, asbestos-adjacent scopes requiring assessment before work, and fog-corridor moisture that means longer extraction times. Every price is delivered in writing before any panel comes off, under Haven Standard Clause 1.
Neighborhoods We Serve in San Francisco
CleanRun crews serve residential ductwork across the full city, including the neighborhoods where the fog shapes the jobs most directly.
- Outer Sunset
- Outer Richmond
- West Portal
- Forest Hill
- Noe Valley
We schedule by neighborhood grouping, so most San Francisco appointments can be set within a few business days of your call.
Service Area - Cities Near San Francisco
CleanRun also serves homeowners across the Peninsula and the East Bay shore, including Daly City, CA, South San Francisco, CA, Alameda, CA, and Berkeley, CA. Scheduling is coordinated from the brand’s San Francisco Bay Area office.
Serving San Francisco, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the San Francisco 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 San Francisco
Most San Francisco appointments are scheduled within a few business days. We group calls by neighborhood, so the outer Sunset and outer Richmond often share a service day with West Portal and Forest Hill. Call (806) 606-6902 and a live person will set a date.
Duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, and sanitizing do not require city permits. Rerouting or replacing vent runs may need building-department review depending on the scope, and we can confirm what applies to your property. Written scopes are standard.
Clear a two-foot area around each register and around the dryer if vent work is scheduled. We bring our own HEPA containment and walk-off protection. The crew is background-checked, uniformed, and identified by name before arrival.
Call (806) 606-6902 for a free estimate. A live person answers, every time, and every price is in writing before work starts.
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 San Francisco 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.