Whole-home duct cleaning
Dryer vent cleaning
Camera inspection
Sanitizing & deodorizingWhole-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.
Trusted Air Duct Repair for Fontana Homeowners
Air duct repair in Fontana tackles a problem most homeowners don’t notice until the evidence is everywhere: dust settling back on furniture two days after cleaning, rooms that never reach the same temperature as the rest of the house, and energy bills that climb every summer while your AC runs longer. When a duct run is disconnected, punctured, or collapsed, your system is blowing conditioned air into your attic or crawlspace instead of your living room. That’s wasted money and aggravated allergy symptoms. Leon Thornton and the team at Duct Cleaning Fontana repair these failures with professional-grade equipment including Rotobrush and Nikro systems, not a shop-vac and a ladder. Call (855) 501-3681 for an honest assessment and a flat price per system before any work begins.
HVAC Duct Installation
HVAC Duct Installation is the process of designing and fitting new duct runs to connect your furnace or air handler to the supply registers and return grilles throughout your home. You need it when ductwork is so deteriorated, undersized, or badly laid out that patching stops making financial sense. In Fontana’s climate, where summer temperatures routinely cross 100°F, properly-sized duct installation is the difference between an AC that holds 74° and one that labors all afternoon. We also provide Air Duct Repair in Fontana for systems that don’t need full replacement. We handle full HVAC duct installation projects including new construction additions, garage conversions, and complete system replacements. Costs for HVAC duct installation in the Fontana market typically run from $3,000 to $8,000 depending on home size, duct length, and accessibility. The estimate is free, itemized, and fixed before the first cut is made.
When New Ductwork Beats Patching
Flex duct that’s been crushed, torn by rodents, or saturated by a roof leak often carries hidden damage along its entire run. Replacing one section can leave you chasing leaks monthly. New installation resets the clock and gives you a measurable airflow baseline.
Materials We Recommend
We work with R-6 and R-8 insulated flex duct and rigid sheet metal, matched to the heat load of each room. In Fontana attics, which can hit 140°F in August, insulation value matters more than most homeowners realize. Undersized or uninsulated duct in that environment loses 20-30% of cooling capacity before air reaches the register.
Styles & brands we work with
- Whole-home duct cleaning
- Dryer vent cleaning
- Camera inspection
- Sanitizing & deodorizing
Air Duct Replacement
Air Duct Replacement means removing existing ductwork that has failed and installing new duct in its place. This is the right call when ducts are older than 20-25 years, when the inner liner has deteriorated into particles blowing into your rooms, or when prior repairs have left a patchwork that still leaks. In Fontana homes built during the 1980s and 1990s construction boom, we routinely find flex duct that has collapsed at the joints and separated at the plenum. That’s not a repairable situation – it’s a replacement situation. A typical air duct replacement for an average Fontana single-story home falls between $2,800 and $6,500. The price depends on the number of runs, the length of the trunk line, and whether the attic is walkable or requires crawling.
What Replacement Actually Involves
We remove every foot of the old duct, seal the plenum connections properly, and install new duct with mastic and foil tape at every joint. Then we balance airflow so each room gets its designed CFM. No sections are left disconnected, and no old duct is abandoned in the attic.
Signs Your Ducts Are Past Repair
If you can see the inner fiberglass liner through the outer jacket, or if the duct feels like a wet noodle when gently squeezed, the material has degraded. Duct that sags more than 10 inches between supports has lost its structural integrity. Both conditions mean replacement, not another patch.
Ductwork Repair
Ductwork Repair is the targeted fix for specific failures: separated joints, punctures, crushed sections, disconnected boots, and leaking plenum connections. This is the most common service we perform in Fontana, because most duct systems have a handful of failure points rather than total systemic collapse. If you’re nearby, ask about our Air Duct Repair in Rialto as well. The job is to find every leak, not just the obvious one. We use visual inspection plus airflow measurement across each register to identify where pressure is being lost. Ductwork repair in Fontana typically costs $350 to $1,400 depending on how many leaks exist and how difficult each is to reach. You’ll know the exact price before we start, because we quote the whole job, not a per-hour rate that drifts upward.
Why Leaks Keep Coming Back When Done Wrong
Handymen often wrap a torn duct in duct tape – the wrong material for the job. Duct tape dries out and fails within a year, especially in an attic that cycles between 40° and 140°F. We use UL-listed foil tape and mastic sealant, the same materials required by California energy code, applied to a clean surface so the bond actually holds.
Repair vs. Replace: How We Decide
We won’t sell you a replacement when a repair does the job. If damage is isolated to one or two runs and the remaining duct material is still intact and well-insulated, a targeted repair restores performance for a fraction of the cost. We’ll show you photos of the damage so you understand exactly what we found.
Duct Replacement
Duct Replacement is a broader term covering replacement of a portion of your duct system – a single failed run, a damaged trunk line, or a complete swap of all supply and return ductwork. In Fontana, we see this service needed most often after roof work, when contractors accidentally crush duct runs in the attic, or after rodent infestations that chew through the outer jacket and contaminate the interior. We also offer Air Duct Repair in Jurupa Valley for similar issues. We’ll also recommend duct replacement when an addition or remodel changes airflow requirements and the existing duct is simply too small to serve the new square footage. Pricing for partial duct replacement in the Fontana market runs $1,200 to $4,000 depending on the number of runs and their length. Full-system duct replacement lands between $4,000 and $8,000.
Partial Replacement That Fits the Original System
When we replace a single failed run, we match the diameter and insulation level of the remaining ducts so airflow stays balanced. A replacement that’s too large robs other rooms of airflow; too small chokes the room it serves. This is the kind of detail that separates a sheet-metal shop from a real ductwork specialist.
Post-Renovation Cleanup and Replacement
If you’ve just finished drywall work, flooring, or a kitchen remodel in Fontana, your ducts are likely packed with construction dust. Sometimes cleaning restores them. Sometimes the ducts themselves were damaged during the work. After a thorough inspection, we’ll tell you which situation you’re in and quote according to what’s actually needed.
Ductwork Installation
Ductwork Installation is the complete design-and-build service for homes that need an entire new duct system – new construction, major additions, or tear-out-and-start-over retrofits. This service includes load calculation for each room, duct sizing, material selection, installation, sealing, and airflow balancing. In Fontana’s new developments north of Summit Avenue and in the older housing stock south of Foothill Boulevard, we see very different installation challenges, and we approach each correctly. Many homeowners also trust our Air Duct Repair in Rancho Cucamonga for the same expert service. Full ductwork installation for a typical Fontana home falls between $5,000 and $12,000 depending on home size, number of registers, attic accessibility, and material choice. New construction and additions can run higher based on architectural constraints.
Sizing the System Correctly the First Time
Most original ductwork in track homes was sized to the lowest bid, not to the actual heat gain of each room. That’s why your west-facing bedroom is always hot in August no matter the thermostat setting. We size ducts per room using Manual D principles so each space gets its designed airflow.
Sealing to Code, Not Just to Pass
California energy code requires duct leakage testing on new installations, and we build systems that pass comfortably. Every joint gets mastic or foil tape, every boot gets sealed to the drywall, and the final system is tested to confirm leakage under 6%.
Brands We Service
We service duct systems integrated with Honeywell and Aprilaire whole-home air quality equipment. That means we understand how your filtration media, humidifier, and UV systems interact with the ductwork carrying air past them. When we repair or replace ducts on a home with an Aprilaire filter cabinet or Honeywell bypass humidifier, we know how to disconnect, protect, and reconnect those components so they keep working at specification.
Our team also runs Rotobrush and Nikro cleaning systems and carries Abatement Technologies containment equipment on service calls when contamination is present. Whether you have an Aprilaire filter cabinet, a Honeywell thermostat and zoning system, or any other make, we can work on your duct system without voiding warranties or compromising the equipment’s function.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterSigns You Need a Pro Right Now
- Dust returns within days of cleaning. When ducts leak, they pull unfiltered attic or crawlspace air into the supply side and push it straight into your rooms. No amount of surface cleaning solves a supply duct leak.
- Some rooms are always ten degrees off. Rooms at the end of a long duct run starve when leaks upstream bleed off pressure. The fix is sealing the leaks, not cranking the thermostat lower and wasting more energy.
- You hear rattling or flapping when the system runs. Loose duct sections, broken hangers, or a detached boot will move with airflow and make noise. Left alone, the movement widens the gap and the leak gets worse.
- Your summer energy bill jumped without a rate change. A 15-20% duct leak means your AC runs that much longer to hit the same setpoint. In Fontana’s cooling season, that’s hundreds of dollars over a single summer.
- Visible mold, staining, or crumbling insulation at the registers. Staining means condensation is forming where it shouldn’t, and damaged duct insulation in an attic can develop what looks like surface mold. This needs a professional look before it spreads.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
Visual inspection of every accessible duct run. Leon Thornton or a trained team member climbs into the attic or crawlspace and photographs every problem found. You’ll see photos, not a verbal summary. In Fontana attics, that means navigating blown-in insulation, trusses, and tight clearances.
- 2
Airflow measurement at each register. We use an anemometer to read velocity at every supply register and compare it against the design CFM for that room. This shows us which rooms are starving and which are over-supplied, so repairs target the right sections.
- 3
Leak diagnosis with pressure or smoke where needed. For hard-to-find leaks, we can pressurize the duct system or introduce a non-toxic smoke tracer to pinpoint exactly where air is escaping.
- 4
Flat-price quote before work begins. We give you a single number for the whole repair, not an hourly rate that creeps. One flat price per system, agreed before work starts. No per-vent pricing, no surprise add-ons.
- 5
Repair, seal, and verify. We complete the work with UL-listed materials, seal every joint and boot, and then re-measure airflow at the repaired registers to confirm the improvement. You get before-and-after photos of your own ductwork.
How Much Does Air Duct Repair Cost in Fontana?
A typical air duct repair job in Fontana runs between $350 and $1,400. That covers most single-visit repairs like reconnecting a separated joint, sealing plenum leaks, replacing a crushed flex run, or patching a punctured duct. If damage is more extensive – multiple runs failing or a full trunk line that’s collapsed – the price lands between $1,500 and $4,000. Full system replacement in a Fontana home typically starts around $4,000 and can reach $8,000 for larger two-story homes with complex attic layouts.
What affects your price? Attic accessibility is the big one. A walkable attic with plywood decking is fast work. A low-slope roof with 18 inches of blown-in insulation and trusses on 24-inch centers is slow, hot work. The number of failed sections matters, too, as does the diameter of the duct being repaired and whether we need to remove and reinstall insulation to reach the leak. To avoid overpaying, insist on a flat price before work starts and ask to see photos of the damage. You should also ask whether the quote includes sealing the boots to the drywall, which is where a surprising amount of leakage happens but where cheap bids skip the work.
A free estimate from us includes the inspection, airflow measurements, photos, and a written quote. Call (855) 501-3681 to schedule yours.
Our Service Area Near Fontana
We serve Fontana and the surrounding Inland Empire communities, including home comfort services for homeowners in Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Rialto, Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Upland, Redlands, Montclair, and Muscoy. For air duct work in neighboring cities, see our pages on Air Duct Repair in Fontana, Air Duct Repair in Riverside, and Air Duct Repair in San Bernardino. Most appointments are scheduled within a few business days.
Serving Fontana, CA – Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Fontana area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage – if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Duct Repair in Fontana
Air duct repair is the process of fixing leaks, separations, crushed sections, and failed connections in the ductwork that carries heated and cooled air from your HVAC system to your rooms. In Fontana homes, the most common repairs are resealing separated joints, replacing rodent-damaged flex duct, and sealing boots where they meet the drywall. The goal is to restore the system to its designed airflow so every room gets conditioned air and the AC doesn’t work harder than it should.
Most single-visit air duct repairs in Fontana take between 2 and 5 hours depending on attic access and the number of failures. A simple joint reseal might be done in under two hours. Multiple duct replacements or full system work can run a full day or two days, and we’ll tell you the expected timeline before we start. Call (855) 501-3681 to talk through your situation.
Air duct repair in Fontana typically costs between $350 and $1,400 for common fixes like reconnecting separated duct runs, sealing plenum leaks, or replacing a crushed flex section. More extensive repairs involving multiple failed runs or trunk line replacement can run $1,500 to $4,000. The quote is flat and set before work begins. Call (855) 501-3681 for an exact estimate – estimates are free.
Yes, we service duct systems that are integrated with Honeywell and Aprilaire whole-home air quality equipment. That includes Aprilaire media filter cabinets, Honeywell zoning systems, bypass humidifiers, and the ductwork connected to them. We know how to disconnect, protect, and reconnect these components during a duct repair without compromising their function or voiding any warranties.
A disconnected duct is not a gas leak, but in a Fontana summer with temperatures over 100°F, a major leak in the wrong room can make living conditions miserable fast. We prioritize calls from homeowners with no cooling in occupied bedrooms or with visible duct damage after a contractor has been in the attic. Call (855) 501-3681 and we’ll give you the soonest available appointment.
We stand behind our repairs with a workmanship warranty that covers the sections we fixed. If a repair fails because of our workmanship or materials, we return and make it right at no charge. Specific warranty terms are provided in writing with your quote so there’s no ambiguity about what’s covered.
Clear a path to your attic access or crawlspace entry and move any fragile items away from the registers in the rooms being serviced. We protect floors, furniture, and registers with Guardsman-grade surface protection during the job, so your home stays clean while we work. If you have pets, a closed door to the work area helps keep them calm and out of the way.
Schedule Your Air Duct Repair Service in Fontana Today
If your Fontana home has inconsistent room temperatures, dust that won’t stay away, or a duct system that’s been patched before without solving the problem, call us. We’ll inspect every accessible run, show you photos of what we find, and give you a flat price before any work starts. Call (855) 501-3681 for a no-obligation estimate.
Written by Leon Thornton, Owner at Duct Cleaning Fontana, serving the Inland Empire.