Healthy ductwork makes for a healthier home.
That's a pretty bold statement, but it's one that some experts are willing to standby.
This also means that unhealthy ductwork can cause some issues! When there is a leak in your heating or cooling ductwork, there is a high risk of contaminants circulating throughout your home.
This can cause some adults and children to experience allergic reactions or mild to severe illness.
Duct Work Repair Unfortunately, leaking air ducts can result in a dysfunctional HVAC system, because your heating or air conditioning system has to overcompensate for the air lost.
You're paying to condition air, that then escapes and allows for unconditioned air to enter your home.
With your monthly heating and cooling costs aside, there are also risks of contaminants that can enter into your home's duct work and circulate, causing allergic reactions or illness in some adults and children.
Thankfully, repairing your home's duct is not a difficult task, but if you are an in-experienced do-it-yourselfer, it is best to leave it in the hands of a professional or expert.
Locate the Leak Locating the leak is the most important step in duct work repair.
It is highly likely that the leak is in the joints in-between the sections of the ducting.
First, turn the HVAC unit off.
Make sure to wear protective eyewear to prevent damage from dust and contaminants.
Carefully wipe down the damaged area or hole in the duct work.
You can simply use a damp, clean rag to remove all signs of dirt, dust or other contaminants from the duct's surface.
Repair the Leak Carefully measure the width and height of the hole or damaged area in the duct work using a standard tape measure or other comparable device.
Always add 1 inch to the width and height measurements.
Use a black permanent marker to mark the dimensions on a piece of sheet metal.
This will assure all measurements are accurate and correct, and save you time.
Extend the measurements of both the width and height by aligning with each mark, making sure both lines intersect.
Carefully cut the marks with aviation snips.
Place the sheet metal on the duct work and run sheet metal screws into each corner.
You can also further security by placing a strip of metal foil tape on each side of the patch work.
Seal the Leak With an inexpensive tube of silicone caulking, run a bead of caulking around the perimeter of the metal patch work.
This will properly seal the patch onto the duct work.
Allow plenty of time for the silicone caulking to set and dry.
Once you have allowed plenty of dry time, turn on the HVAC unit back on.
Solution If you aren't all that confident in repairing your ductwork, it is best to leave it in the hands of a professional who can evaluate the situation, provide an estimate, answer any questions you may have and allow you plenty of time to review your options and make a decision.
That's a pretty bold statement, but it's one that some experts are willing to standby.
This also means that unhealthy ductwork can cause some issues! When there is a leak in your heating or cooling ductwork, there is a high risk of contaminants circulating throughout your home.
This can cause some adults and children to experience allergic reactions or mild to severe illness.
Duct Work Repair Unfortunately, leaking air ducts can result in a dysfunctional HVAC system, because your heating or air conditioning system has to overcompensate for the air lost.
You're paying to condition air, that then escapes and allows for unconditioned air to enter your home.
With your monthly heating and cooling costs aside, there are also risks of contaminants that can enter into your home's duct work and circulate, causing allergic reactions or illness in some adults and children.
Thankfully, repairing your home's duct is not a difficult task, but if you are an in-experienced do-it-yourselfer, it is best to leave it in the hands of a professional or expert.
Locate the Leak Locating the leak is the most important step in duct work repair.
It is highly likely that the leak is in the joints in-between the sections of the ducting.
First, turn the HVAC unit off.
Make sure to wear protective eyewear to prevent damage from dust and contaminants.
Carefully wipe down the damaged area or hole in the duct work.
You can simply use a damp, clean rag to remove all signs of dirt, dust or other contaminants from the duct's surface.
Repair the Leak Carefully measure the width and height of the hole or damaged area in the duct work using a standard tape measure or other comparable device.
Always add 1 inch to the width and height measurements.
Use a black permanent marker to mark the dimensions on a piece of sheet metal.
This will assure all measurements are accurate and correct, and save you time.
Extend the measurements of both the width and height by aligning with each mark, making sure both lines intersect.
Carefully cut the marks with aviation snips.
Place the sheet metal on the duct work and run sheet metal screws into each corner.
You can also further security by placing a strip of metal foil tape on each side of the patch work.
Seal the Leak With an inexpensive tube of silicone caulking, run a bead of caulking around the perimeter of the metal patch work.
This will properly seal the patch onto the duct work.
Allow plenty of time for the silicone caulking to set and dry.
Once you have allowed plenty of dry time, turn on the HVAC unit back on.
Solution If you aren't all that confident in repairing your ductwork, it is best to leave it in the hands of a professional who can evaluate the situation, provide an estimate, answer any questions you may have and allow you plenty of time to review your options and make a decision.