Exhaust Fan & Ductwork Cleaning
Complete exhaust fan and ductwork cleaning for commercial kitchens, eliminating accumulated grease on rooftop systems and reducing fire hazards.
The rooftop exhaust fan and the ductwork leading up to it are the parts of the system most owners never see — and the parts most often skipped by cleaners who only touch the hood. Grease that builds up here is a direct fire hazard and a common reason kitchens fail inspection, precisely because it’s out of sight.
Why the fan and duct matter most
Grease-laden air doesn’t stop at the hood — it travels the full length of the ductwork on its way to the rooftop fan, and grease settles out along the way. NFPA 96 covers the complete exhaust pathway for exactly this reason: a hood that looks spotless can still sit on top of a duct run and rooftop fan caked in grease, which is where most real fire risk actually collects.
What we clean
We access the duct run through its service panels and clean the interior surfaces down to bare metal, then service the rooftop fan itself — the fan housing, the blades, and the roof surface directly around the base, which often collects grease that drips down from the fan over time. Where the fan has a hinge kit, we use it to safely tilt the unit and clean underneath rather than working around it.
Signs your ductwork needs attention
Grease dripping from duct seams, a persistent greasy odor even after a hood cleaning, weaker airflow than usual, or a fire inspector flagging the fan or roof area are all signs this part of the system needs service, not just another surface-level hood wipe-down.
How this fits your cleaning schedule
This isn’t a separate service on its own timeline — it’s part of the same NFPA 96 cleaning your hood already needs, on the same frequency tier based on your cooking volume and fuel type. We just make sure it’s not the part that gets skipped.
Who this is for
Any commercial kitchen due for a full exhaust cleaning, especially ones that have had cleanings in the past that only addressed the visible hood and filters. If your last cleaning didn’t include photos of the ductwork and rooftop fan, there’s a good chance it wasn’t actually done.
How It Works
Book Your Service
Contact us to schedule a time that works for your kitchen.
Inspection & Assessment
Our certified technicians inspect the system to confirm exactly what it needs.
We Get to Work
We complete the job to NFPA 96 and local fire code standards.
Documentation & Compliance
You receive proper documentation showing the work is code-compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the rooftop fan need cleaning separately from the hood?
It doesn't need a separate visit — it's part of the same NFPA 96 cleaning — but it's the part most often skipped by cleaners who stop at the visible hood, even though grease travels through the ductwork and collects fastest at the fan and the roof surface around it.
How do you access ductwork to clean it?
Through access panels along the duct run, plus the rooftop fan housing itself — the goal is to reach every section of the vertical and horizontal run, not just what's visible from the kitchen floor.
Is a dirty rooftop fan really a fire risk?
Yes — grease buildup in ductwork and around the exhaust fan is one of the leading causes of restaurant fires according to NFPA, since it's often the section furthest from view and easiest to under-clean.
Ready to Schedule This Service?
Serving Charlotte, NC & SC — 24/7 availability.
Ready to Get Started?
Free estimates — call 980-384-7357 or request a quote online.