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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AfterFast, Reliable Duct Repair & Sealing Across Chicago
Duct repair and sealing in Chicago typically costs $280-$650 for standard sealing work and $450-$1,200 for flex or metal duct repairs, with most jobs completed in a single scheduled visit. CleanRun’s Chicago office coordinates dispatch across the metro, and our crews are familiar with the non-standard ductwork found in the city’s older housing stock. Call (708) 683-3974 for a written estimate before any work begins.
We’ve been in Chicago homes since 2013, and we’ve learned that duct problems here rarely look like duct problems in a suburban Phoenix ranch house. The postwar forced-air retrofits in Chicago bungalows, two-flats, and greystones created duct runs through spaces that were never meant to carry air. Our Duct Repair & Sealing team documents every run with before-and-after photos, and every price is written before a panel comes off.
Why CleanRun Air Duct Cleaning Chicago Is Chicago’s Preferred Duct Repair & Sealing Company
CleanRun is independently owned and operated under the Haven Standard, and our Chicago office has coordinated more than 52,000 residential jobs since 2013. Every one of them started with a written price and ended with a documented photo record. That’s not a policy subject to manager approval; it’s Haven Standard Clause 1, printed on every scope sheet.
Our technicians are background-checked, uniformed, and identified by name before arrival - Haven Standard Clause 3: Verified Crews. They carry professional-grade equipment from Rotobrush, Nikro, and Honeywell, and they know Chicago’s housing stock well enough to spot asbestos-containing duct wrap before disturbing it.
The 365-Day Done Right Promise backs every job in writing. If the sealing fails or a repaired section separates, we make it right. No escalation to a manager. No “we’ll see what we can do.” A written guarantee, period.
We also offer a Free Second Opinion on any written estimate. Bring a competitor’s quote; we put our number next to it in writing. No charge.
Our Duct Repair & Sealing Services in Chicago
Duct Sealing
Most Chicago homes we enter lose 20-30% of conditioned air through leaks at joints, takeoffs, and plenum connections. In bungalow-belt neighborhoods like Archer Heights and Marquette Park, those leaks often dump heated air into closet chases and kneewall cavities where it does no good. We seal with mastic sealant and metal-backed tape at every accessible joint, then pressure-test to verify the improvement. A typical duct sealing job in Chicago runs $280-$550 for a single system.
Flex Duct Repair
Flex duct crushes easily when jammed into the tight spaces of a retrofit installation. We find collapsed flex runs in low attic kneewalls and basement drop ceilings throughout Bridgeport, Portage Park, and Gage Park. The rear bedroom stays cold, the homeowner replaces the furnace, and the real problem never gets addressed. We isolate the damaged section under negative-pressure extraction with HEPA filtration, replace with properly sized flex or rigid metal as appropriate, and support it so it won’t crush again. Flex duct repair in Chicago typically ranges from $350-$850 depending on accessibility.
Metal Duct Repair
Original galvanized trunk lines in Chicago’s postwar retrofits rust at the seams after decades of condensation cycling. Lake Michigan humidity pushes moisture through those systems all summer, and the long heating season keeps them wet longer than drier climates. We cut out corroded sections, fabricate replacements in rigid metal, and seal with mastic. Metal duct repair in Chicago generally runs $450-$1,200 for trunk line work.
Duct Insulation
Uninsulated duct runs through unconditioned spaces sweat in Chicago’s humid summers. That moisture migrates through disconnected joints and feeds mold in cavities no homeowner sees. We insulate with fiberglass wrap or closed-cell foam board where appropriate, sealed with vapor barrier. Duct insulation in Chicago typically costs $400-$900 for accessible basement and attic runs.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
BeforeAfterTrusted Brands We Service in Chicago
Our crews carry professional-grade equipment from Rotobrush, Nikro, and Honeywell - brands any homeowner can look up and verify. We stock common fittings and sealants locally so we’re not waiting on a parts run while your system is open. For controls and air quality components, we work with Aprilaire and Guardsman products where the job calls for them. Every tool and material is named on your written scope before work starts.
Common Duct Repair & Sealing Problems We See in Chicago Homes
- Postwar retrofit runs through uninsulated closet chases sweat in summer humidity. Moisture-laden air migrates through disconnected joints and feeds mold in cavities no one sees until the camera goes in. Sealing the joints and insulating the chase is the fix, not just cleaning what’s already growing.
- Crushed or collapsed flex duct in low kneewall spaces starves rear bedrooms of airflow. The homeowner blames the furnace. We pull the register and find a flex run flattened to half its diameter. Rebuilding in rigid metal with proper support solves it permanently.
- Pre-1980 duct mastic and wrap can contain asbestos. Skipping hazardous-material assessment before cleaning turns a routine job into a regulated abatement problem. We assess first. Every time. No exceptions.
- Return pans left open to the basement pull unconditioned air past the filter. We sealed one in a Bridgeport two-flat where the return was drawing basement air full of dryer lint and concrete dust. Static pressure came back in line, and the blower motor stopped overworking.
Pricing for Duct Repair & Sealing in Chicago, IL
| Service | Typical Range in Chicago |
|---|---|
| Duct Sealing (per system) | $280 - $550 |
| Flex Duct Repair | $350 - $850 |
| Metal Duct Repair / Trunk Line | $450 - $1,200 |
| Duct Insulation | $400 - $900 |
| Asbestos Assessment (if needed) | $150 - $300 |
What moves the number: accessibility (crawl space vs. full basement), extent of damage, whether hazardous materials are present, and whether we’re sealing accessible joints or rebuilding concealed runs. Every price is written before work starts, every time, under Haven Standard Clause 1. No per-vent pricing. No teaser coupons that balloon once the truck is in your driveway. Call (708) 683-3974 for a written estimate - estimates are free.
We Also Serve Cities Near Chicago
Our crews work throughout the metro, including Chicago proper and the surrounding communities of Oak Lawn, Skokie, Evanston, and Hinsdale. Scheduling and dispatch are coordinated from our Chicago office.
Serving Chicago, IL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Chicago 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 - Duct Repair & Sealing in Chicago
Yes. We work in these configurations regularly. The non-standard runs take longer to access and seal than purpose-built forced-air homes, but we document the full system with camera inspection, seal every accessible joint with mastic, and insulate where condensation is an issue. The written scope will note any limitations due to concealed access. Call (708) 683-3974 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
It’s usually a duct problem. We find crushed flex runs, disconnected takeoffs, or open return pans in Chicago homes several times a week. A camera inspection and static pressure test will show whether the furnace is sized correctly and whether the air is actually reaching the room. Fixing the duct path is almost always cheaper than replacing equipment that was never the issue. Call (708) 683-3974 to schedule a diagnostic.
Yes, always. Pre-1980 duct mastic and wrap in Chicago’s housing stock can contain asbestos, and disturbing it without assessment violates EPA regulations and puts your household at risk. We conduct a visual hazardous-material assessment before any cleaning or sealing begins. If asbestos is suspected, we refer to a licensed abatement contractor. This assessment is built into our standard pre-work inspection. Call (708) 683-3974 to discuss your home’s specific situation.
Lake Michigan humidity plus Chicago’s tight building envelopes during heating season creates the perfect conditions. Moisture-laden air migrates through leaking joints into cool, unconditioned cavities - closet chases, kneewalls, drop ceilings - where it condenses on duct surfaces. Add decades of organic debris, and mold colonizes where no homeowner looks. Sealing the leaks and insulating the runs stops the moisture source. Cleaning alone doesn’t. Call (708) 683-3974 for a camera inspection and written scope.
We determine that with a camera inspection and static pressure test. If the trunk line is structurally sound and leaks are at accessible joints, sealing is the right fix. If we find rusted-out metal, multiple crushed runs, or asbestos-containing materials that must be abated, replacement may be more cost-effective long-term. We show you the camera footage and explain both options with written prices for each before you decide. Call (708) 683-3974 to schedule an inspection.
Written by Tomas Reyes, Owner at CleanRun Duct Repair & Cleaning, serving Chicago since 2013.