Your apartment on the Plateau is beautiful, nicely renovated, and full of character. But when the furnace starts up again in October, a fine layer of dust settles on the furniture within a few days, and there’s a faint musty smell that you can’t seem to pinpoint. The hardwood floors have just been sanded, and the walls have been repainted. The problem lies in your vents.
Duct Cleaning in Plateau-Mont-Royal: Why It Matters Here
The Plateau, it is one of the most extensively renovated neighborhoods in Montreal. Triplexes and duplexes built between 1900 and 1940 have been purchased and transformed by owners who are investing heavily in their properties. Open-concept kitchens, renovated bathrooms, and improved insulation. But amid the enthusiasm for the renovations, the ventilation ducts are rarely touched, and that is where years of plaster dust, wood fibers, and construction debris eventually accumulate.
Buildings in the Plateau also reflect a reality often seen on-site: heating systems that have been modified several times over the decades, original sheet-metal ducts that intersect with additions from the 1980s, and air exchangers installed during recent renovations that have never been cleaned since. Vortex Air has been working in these types of buildings for over a decade. Mohamed and Omar are familiar with these layouts, the makeshift connections, the ducts that wind their way between three units, and the vents that have been repainted ten times. Their INVC-certified technicians have already served more than 500 families in the Greater Montreal area, and they know exactly what to look for in a home of this age.
The density of the neighborhood also has a direct impact on indoor air quality. Busy thoroughfares like Saint-Laurent or Papineau bring a constant stream of fine particulate matter into homes, particularly those on the ground floor or first floor. Combined with frequent renovations in the area, this pollution ends up in your ducts and circulates through the air in your home every time your system turns on.
What We Clean at Your Home in Plateau-Mont-Royal
Cleaning ventilation ducts
This is the core of our work, and the service that has the most direct impact on the quality of the air you breathe every day. We cover the entire system—main ducts, branch ducts, and every vent—using a negative-pressure extraction system with HEPA filtration. Accumulated dust, allergens, mold spores, and renovation debris—everything that has built up over the years is removed from the system. You’ll notice the difference within the first few days.
Cleaning a wall-mounted unit (heat pump / wall-mounted air conditioner)
Many homes in the Plateau have been equipped wall-mounted units To compensate for the lack of central air conditioning—which is essential in the summer when temperatures rise in apartments under metal roofs—these units quickly accumulate biofilm, dust, and mold in their fins and condensate pans. We disassemble the unit, thoroughly clean each component, and restore it to a clean, fully functional state.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
In typical Plateau triplexes, the dryer duct It often passes through several walls and sometimes two floors before reaching the exterior vent. It is in these hidden sections that lint accumulates, not in the filter that we empty after each load. A partially clogged duct extends drying times, puts a strain on the motor, and poses an underestimated fire hazard in older wooden buildings. Check and clear the entire duct run.
Cleaning of an Energy-Recovery Ventilator (ERV / Air Exchanger)
The Air Exchanger It refreshes indoor air while recovering heat—a system that is particularly useful in the well-sealed homes of the Plateau, where insulation has been improved during renovations. However, its filters and heat exchanger cores gradually become clogged. A poorly maintained heat exchanger eventually circulates stale air rather than purifying it. The internal components are cleaned according to the manufacturer’s specifications to restore effective air exchange.
Cleaning of the Central Heat Pump and Central Heating System
For homes that have converted to a central heat pump, Regular maintenance of the coils, drain pans, and duct connections is necessary to maintain the system's performance and prevent moisture buildup in the ventilation system.
Furnace cleaning
Visit furnace Over the course of the seasons, combustion residues, dust, and contaminants build up on its internal components. Cleaning the system before winter improves energy efficiency, reduces odors when you first start it up, and helps identify potential problems before they turn into breakdowns in the middle of February.
Bathroom Fan Cleaning
In older homes on the Plateau, the fans in bathroom are often installed or replaced without cleaning the exhaust duct. A clogged fan no longer removes moisture properly, which promotes condensation on plaster ceilings and accelerates the growth of mold in the corners. We remove the fan, clean the motor, and clean the entire exhaust duct.
Decontamination
If an inspection reveals active mold in the ducts—a situation that can occur in older buildings following water damage or in homes that have been inadequately ventilated for a long time—we perform a certified antimicrobial treatment. This is not a service we offer to everyone, but when it is necessary, we perform it using approved products and appropriate protocols.
Odor Control
Visit odors Persistent odors from cigarettes, pets, or moisture—which cannot be eliminated by cleaning or using air fresheners—often originate in the ductwork itself. These odors are neutralized at the source, within the ventilation system, rather than temporarily masked with a surface-level product.
Complete system inspection
Before each service call, we perform a complete inspection of your ventilation system. The condition of the ducts, appliances, connections, and vents is assessed. This inspection is included in the tour at no extra charge. You'll know exactly what you have and what you need before we get started.
Why Plateau-Mont-Royal Residents Choose Vortex Air
The thing that comes up most often in the feedback we receive is their honesty. Mohamed and Omar show up, take a look at your system, and tell you what they see—not what will land them the biggest contract. If your ducts are in good condition, they’ll tell you so. No one here makes up a problem just to get a job.
The inspection is free and non-binding. We’ll send you a quote afterward, once we’ve assessed the system. The amount on the quote is the amount on the invoice—no additional charges discovered along the way, and no travel fees hidden in the fine print. In a neighborhood where homeowners have often learned to be wary of contractors who knock on the door with an unreasonably low price, this level of transparency makes a real difference.
Vortex Air’s technicians are INVC-certified—the gold standard for residential ventilation in Quebec—and the company is in the process of obtaining NADCA accreditation. These aren’t just badges on a website: they guide work practices and ensure that every job is performed in accordance with industry-recognized protocols.
Availability matters, too. Monday through Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a 24-hour hotline. For property owners in the Plateau who manage one or two rental units in addition to their own home, this flexibility makes logistics much easier.
Frequently asked questions
How often should the ducts in a renovated home in the Plateau be cleaned?
Every 3 to 5 years for a typical home, but after major renovations—such as an open-concept kitchen, a remodeled bathroom, or the removal of interior walls—we recommend not waiting. Dust from plaster, wood, and insulation settles deep within the ducts and does not clear on its own. A free inspection will help you assess your situation.
What does a tour of Vortex Air actually involve?
We start with a complete visual inspection of the system, at no charge. We’ll explain what we found, provide you with a clear estimate, and wait for your approval before we begin. The service typically takes between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the size of the network. We protect floors and surfaces, use a negative-pressure HEPA vacuum, and leave everything clean and tidy.
Does duct cleaning really help with allergies and asthma?
Yes, in a measurable way. Ducts accumulate dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and fine particles, which are released back into the air every time the system starts up. Removing this source directly reduces the allergen load in indoor air. People with sensitivities often notice a noticeable difference within weeks of the procedure.
What's the difference between your service and an «express» cleaning service at 99 $?
A thorough cleaning covers the entire ductwork system using negative-pressure suction, from the furnace or heat pump all the way to every vent in every room. A quick cleaning usually just covers the visible grilles and stops there. At Vortex Air, we don’t do partial cleanings: we either clean the entire system or we don’t do it at all.
Do you provide services for triplexes and rental properties in the Plateau?
Yes, and that’s a big part of our reality here in Montreal. Whether you’re a homeowner or manage two or three units in a building in the area, we adapt to the situation. We can schedule maintenance on a unit-by-unit basis based on your availability and that of your tenants.
Are the old vents in pre-1940 triplexes harder to clean?
Sometimes, yes. Buildings of this age often have galvanized steel ducts with fittings that have deteriorated, or sections that have been modified during successive renovations without any overall consistency. We inspect the structural condition of the ducts before we begin. If we notice anything that requires attention—such as a leaking joint or a partially crushed duct—we’ll let you know before proceeding any further.
What is the approximate cost of duct cleaning?
Without seeing your system, giving you a specific figure would be misleading, and the flat rates listed before an inspection are rarely what they seem. What we can tell you is this: our rates are competitive with industry standards, the inspection is free, and the final quote is comprehensive and free of surprises. Call us at 514-214-7492 to schedule a visit.
Does Vortex Air serve the entire Plateau-Mont-Royal area, including the streets north of Rachel?
Yes, the entire neighborhood is covered, from the streets near La Fontaine Park to the borders with Rosemont and Mile-End. If you're unsure of your exact address, give us a call and we'll confirm it in two minutes.
