How to Inspect, Clean, and Seal Air Ducts. Heating, ventilation and air air conditioning (HVAC) ducts are generally made of lightweight sheet metal, whether they are the solid or flexible type. Before you do anything, grab your rag and make sure that the area is clean before applying either mastic sealant or foil tape. You have an unsealed vent. Reduce your energy bill by 5-10% per month by spending 1 hour sealing your air ducts. Do you really want to be breathing the air from those spaces 24/7? Keep in mind that your air ducts may be in the attic and/or basement as well. With our mantra, “Happy You’ll Be or the Service is Free!” we are dedicated to resolving any issue with our services. You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools, or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence. Many homeowners believe that sealing off air vents in unused rooms will reduce energy use and save heating and cooling costs. If you really want to seal all of your air ducts, you will need to. Learn more about DIY air duct sealing and cleaning from ENERGY STAR and the Environmental Protection Association (EPA). Search for signs of large dust bunnies, rodent feces, and mold. While you are testing for air leaks, inspect your air duct insulation for damage and wet spots. You’ll also want to have some HVAC aluminum foil tape (NOT duct tape) or mastic sealant (specifically for duct work) on hand in case you need to patch up a leak. Your access to this service has been limited. Knoxville, TN 37921, 1280 Big Orange Rd Now my ducts are these big metal boxes. Anyway, the point of all this is to highlight the fact that you've got to seal the leaks before you insulate the ducts. I have no idea who I should call or what kind of business does this type of repair work. Old metal pipes rust out that they used for slab ducts. Staple and/or tape the sides of the insulation together using pieces of foil, vapor retarder duct tape. One way to seal vent ducts is to apply caulking to fill in gaps. Columbia, TN 38401, 241 Southpointe Way If you do, unscrew one of the floor vent covers and set it aside. Insulation blocks the movement of heat, but it can't stop air leaks. Most energy-conscious builders seal duct joints with mastic. You can seal vent ducts with caulking by first examining the vent ducts for leaks or gaps. duct cleaning Many ducts leak air, so they are not as efficient as they could be. Start by sealing air leaks using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulating all the ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages). Ensuring your ducts are free from damage and contaminants will improve air quality and the overall efficiency of your HVAC system. To ensure that your air ducts are free from damage, contaminants, or leaks, it’s important for Melbourne, Florida residents to inspect them at least once a year. After sealing air ducts in the basement and attic, you will find that both areas will become colder. Before you place the tape on the duct, it's a good idea to wipe off any dust present on the duct work. Philip Schmidt. Learn how to seal the leaks in your ductwork with this video from TXU Energy and Energy Star. 24 SHARES. If more than 5 years have passed since you last scheduled professional duct cleaning—or if you never remember having scheduled it before—call us right away for an appointment: 844-MyHiller. Now you may not have known it, but you were just staring at my ducts. It will last longer and is easier to apply. When workers inject a vinyl acetate polymer substance into ducts while they are pressurized, the sticky material builds up around and then inside the holes, eventually stopping them up. Look for the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label when purchasing. 7. Tighter ductwork. Jackson, TN 38301, 5507 Ball Camp Pike air conditioning Unscrew the vent and investigate the inside of your ducts with a flashlight. My slab from 1952 had dust, neighbor has leaches. Cover boot with insulation. Some duct testing companies will seal the ducts for you, eliminating leaks and holes, as either part of the service or for an additional fee. In cases where the gap is larger than 1/4 inch, use aluminum foil tape combined with mastic sealant. Don’t forget to dress for the job. Make sure your ductwork insulation has a proper vapor barrier to avoid mold and moisture problems. Check the insulation surrounding the ducts for any damage including torn pieces, damp spots, or mold. If you have air ducts located in unconditioned areas of the home, such as crawl spaces and attics, it becomes especially important to find and seal your duct leaks. Turn on your HVAC system so the air is flowing through the ductwork. You can also keep up with all of our news and updates by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. air duct inspection The whole purpose of sealing ductwork is to cut back on air leaks notorious for raising your energy bills. If you cannot see very far into the ducts, a digital camera with a flash is also a good option as it can capture greater depth. By doing so, you can catch small problems that have the potential to become even larger if not addressed quickly and efficiently. Dirty air will still enter your ductwork through the leaks, even after you add insulation. Heating & Cooling Then use a paintbrush to apply duct mastic to the joints where an elbow connects to a duct. The only negative is that it isn’t effective for leaks larger than 1/4 inch and some people may find it unsightly. Cordova, TN 38018, 1500 Ashland City Rd If you are inspecting ductwork in the attic, only step on the joists or lay pieces of wood across the joists so you can move safely. How to Inspect and Seal Air Duct Leaks | DIY Duct Sealing. Wear clothes you don’t care about and rubber gloves if you don’t want to dirty your hands. Sheet metal is a good material for moving air, but all the joints, ... By doing the test before and after you seal your ducts, an operator can calculate how much energy, and therefore money, you’ll save in an average year. If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site, please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send". How to Seal HVAC Ductwork. Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 3 million WordPress sites. There are kinks or tears in flexible ducts. Nashville, TN 37217, 1617 Highway 31 West Check to make sure you have a crawl space, and that you have air vents coming up through the floor. How to Seal a Duct Boot to the Ceiling. And the way they do that is the air comes down these big ducts, and it goes out these little ducts. If you have converted your attic or basement into living areas, call a professional to install both supply and return ducts into the space. I would think you need to insert some expansion material to prevent cracking the floor slab. Turn your HVAC system on and feel around all air duct connections for any air leaks. (HTTP response code 503). Look into the vent, right where the ductwork meets the floor. After you have cleaned the surface, simply Air leaks that occur in vent ducts must be sealed not only to prevent air from escaping from the system but to save money on energy bills as well. Use the mastic sealant for leak areas that would be difficult to close with the foil tape. If you think you have been blocked in error, contact the owner of this site for assistance. How to Repair Holes in HVAC Ducts. While it’s a good idea to have it professionally done, you can use this handy guide to DIY in a pinch. Measure and cut your insulation so there is a small overlap. This will help ensure a clean and lasting seal. This has caused the metal ducts to rust out and expose the dirt. local companies refuse to work on them. we have an air duct where the two main trunk lines come together as you see they used sheet metal screws to tie these two together and then . For more about sealing ducts, see the guides Sealed and Insulated Flex Ducts, Metal Ducts, and Fiberboard Ducts. For more home comfort tips and tricks read our other blogs: Post Tags: To find leaks in the ductwork you can access, turn your heat or AC on. Step 15 After the silicone caulk has had time to set, turn on the HVAC unit. Is there a gap between the metal duct and the floor? After you have cleaned the surface, simply place a strip of the aluminum foil tape over the leak or use your mastic sealant and a paint brush to seal it. Once blowing, hold a piece of toilet paper, ribbon, or other lightweight material around a seam. Someone said I should seal the floor vents and install new vents in the ceiling, but that sounds very expensive and I would prefer to keep … Inspect your air ducts at least once a year. They work by forcing air over a hot metal heat exchanger and then blowing the warmed air through your heating ducts, or supply ducts, to each register in … Once the tape fails, it no longer seals ductwork leaks and you lose heated and cooled air through these holes. Section 403.2.2 of the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) requires that “All ducts, air handlers, filter boxes, and building cavities used as ducts shall be sealed.” To learn how to test residential duct systems for leaks, see Duct Leakage Testing. Do what you’re comfortable with — if you feel confident about doing the sealing yourself, it will be messy. Home » Blog » How to Inspect, Clean & Seal Air Ducts | DIY Ductwork Inspection. Air Duct Leak Repair: When you discover an obvious leak coming from the main unit ducts, repairing it can be very easy. Step 2: Gather your supplies. You can also test for leaks using an incense stick or thin piece of toilet paper; if the paper sticks to, or blows away from an area where any two pieces of metal are joined together, you have a leak. duct sealing 6. Cookeville, TN 38501, 5335 Peavine Rd Aside from hindering your HVAC systems ability to heat and cool, this air can introduce dangerous dusts, molds, microbes and even radon gas into your space. To apply insulation, measure the circumference of the duct, and use a utility knife to cut foil-faced fiberglass insulation to the proper size (add a couple of inches so … (Actual "duct tape," is not suggested for sealing duct joints.) Basically, you are trying to feel (or see) any air movement around your duct seams and connections. The most energy-efficient furnace and central air system won't save you money or keep your home comfortable if your HVAC ductwork is full of leaks. The longer you put off sealing and cleaning your air ducts, the worse your air quality and energy efficiency will become. HVAC There are visible streaks near duct connections and air registers. Stay ahead of the curve on duct maintenance and keep your energy bills low and your air quality high by inspecting your duct work every year. How to Seal an HVAC Duct with Mastic - Duct Sealant - YouTube If done correctly, you can expect to take your duct leakage from 35%, which is average, to 8-10% or better if you are good and seal up the furnace itself. Generated by Wordfence at Sat, 6 Feb 2021 11:25:51 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString());. Updated February 14, 2018. If you have installed the patch on fiberglass duct board, smooth the tape with a plastic squeegee to seal the metal patch. Join the Happy Hiller Club and get all the perks of membership: Seasonal tune-ups. As a general rule, mastic sealant is more effective than any duct tape. That basically are made to take the air from my furnace or my air conditioner, my central air conditioner and spread it all over my house. Tape all register boxes to the surrounding wall or floor surface to keep air from leaking behind the register cover and into the crawlspace, wall cavity or ceiling space. If you do not have proper insulation in your attic and basement, consider insulating both. DIY January 11, 2019. It is important to inspect your air ducts at least once a year. Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electrical provides residential and commercial service and repair throughout Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, and Northern Alabama. Murfreesboro, TN 37130, 915 Murfreesboro Pike Foam may do the same thing. Aluminum foil tape and other heat-approved tape is great for leaks on a flat surface where two pieces of metal are joined together. There are two big things to consider when you plan to seal your duct work with mastic – . Caulking is ideal when working with flat, rectangular duct work. A wet area would indicate blockage and an indoor air quality concern, which would mean the section needs to be cleaned. Before you do anything, grab your rag and make sure that the area is clean before applying either mastic sealant or foil tape. Forced-air Heating Systems Forced-air heating systems are very popular in manufactured homes. Make sure the fiberglass is facing the ductwork and the foil vapor barrier is facing outward. Test your CO detectors to alert you to any carbon monoxide problems. Never use duct tape, as it is not long-lasting. Seal all sides of the duct boot to the gypsum board with spray foam or caulk (Figures 1, 2, and 3). One side of the duct system blows air through the branch ducts while the other side pulls air in. Learn how to inspect your air ducts for air leaks and cleanliness. DEAR BARRY: The forced-air vents in our floor fill with water whenever it rains. You will then receive an email that helps you regain access. If you use duct tape on ducts, the savings will last only briefly. In a typical house, however, about 20 -40 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site. If you notice damage to your insulation or any mold or moisture problems, contact your local technician to fix your ductwork. 1415 Interstate Dr Bowling Green, KY 42103. Use a continuous strip of foil tape to seal off all longitudinal seams along the straight runs of the duct. The second method used to seal duct work involves caulking. when you pour concrete into slab duct you will have expansion from new cement. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. First is that the duct work surface will need to be clean and free of dust, dirt or any grease. Apply mastic or metal tape to all duct seams and joints. Watch this video for more tips to seal air ducts: Vent Registers: There should be a vent in most rooms in your home (either directly on the floor or the upper half of a wall). Catching small problems before they become larger issues will ultimately save you money in repair work and keep professional inspections to a minimum. Goodlettsville, TN 37072, 1209 Posey Ave NW Access from your area has been temporarily limited for security reasons. The second thing is the drying time. Start with any section of your ducts. Grab a screwdriver, a flashlight, some rags, and a digital camera (or smart phone with flash). Crossville, TN 38571, 210 Commerce Center Cir When repairing or installing ductwork, always consult an, DIY duct sealing only goes so far. Try wetting your hand a little to add extra sensitivity to your ability to feel for air leaks. In this video, Michael Church will show you how to improve your energy efficiency and furnace filter by air sealing a cold air return. Because you’ll be sealing air leaks, the pressure of the air moving through the duct work will be higher. How to Seal Air Vents in a House. Not only is duct leakage an enormous waste of energy, but it also allows for unconditioned, dirty air to be pulled back in causing a whole host of problems you might have never thought of. Huntsville, AL 35816, 2524 Petty Dr Branch Ducts: If there are areas in your home where ducts are visible (usually in the basement or attic), these should be inspected next. Main Unit: Your first stop will be the main unit and its large ducts (which are connected to the branch ducts that run throughout the house). Visible ducts do not show any form of insulation. 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Though it’s always a good idea to have your ducts professionally inspected annually, there are several basic maintenance steps you can perform on your own.  In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. seal air ducts. Measure your ductwork. Contact a professional contractor for solutions to your attic and basement insulation. clean air ducts inspect air ducts If you notice large amounts of dust and debris, or spot anything out of the ordinary, then you should schedule a professional inspection and duct cleaning. Clarksville, TN 37040, 2555 Pulaski Hwy Bingo! If you have a plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical emergency, Hiller is available for 24/7, same-day service. © 2021 Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. According to Energy Star, around 20-30% of the conditioned air that flows through your air ducts gets lost due to holes, cracks, and gaps.. All about mastic. Priority scheduling. Unfortunately, DIY duct cleaning isn’t feasible for the average homeowner. Materials Needed: When inspecting your air ducts there are a few basic tools you will need. It is also recommended that you have your pipes insulated in both areas. heating