When it comes to both heating and cooling your home, your ductwork is an imperative part of the equation. It delivers air to all the rooms of your home and recirculates that air for constant comfort. Unfortunately, from time to time, your ducting may need some repair work to continue to work.
Can You Repair Air Ducts?
Have you noticed that one or more areas of your home are losing heat during the winter? Then it’s a sign there is an issue with your ducting in that area. You can repair leaky air ducts more often than not. HVAC technicians use a process known as duct sealing. This reduces the leakage and enhances the airflow in the area.
How to Determine If Your Air Ducts Needs A Repair or Replacement
You can access most of the HVAC air ducts throughout your home via your attic, crawlspace, or basement. If you’re having an airflow issue, you should examine the ducting in that area. Look for any obvious gaps, tears, or disconnections. Make sure that you check the condition of the existing tape used to seal your ducting. The existing tape can develop leaks over time.
You can run your hand over the ducting and feel for any air blowing out to identify leaks. In some cases, you may be able to see obvious distortions in the existing HVAC ducting. When this happens, it’s often the result of old ducting that has expanded and contracted too much. In most cases, it’s recommended that you replace any ducting that is over 20 years old. If there is any severe damage to any section of ducting, it’s best to replace it instead of trying to repair it.
How to Repair Air Ducts
In most cases, you can repair your ducts using professional-grade aluminum foil tape. You shouldn’t use traditional duct tape as it won’t expand and contract with the metal ducting. Before applying any of the aluminum foil tape, clean up the area around the leak first. This helps to ensure that the tape will adhere and last for a long time.
In cases of pinhole leaks, it can be helpful to have a sealant that an HVAC professional suggests. This will go on like caulking and help to expand to seal up those pinhole leaks in your HVAC ducting. You should always double-check the area after applying a sealant or foil tape. You need to ensure that there is no draft remaining in your HVAC ducting.
Contact Us Today
If you’re having an issue with your air ducts, then it’s time to contact us. Let our helpful HVAC professionals assist you with all your ductwork needs.
Air Duct Repair FAQs
How do I know if my air ducts are leaking?
If one or more rooms in your home are losing heat, that’s usually a sign of a leak in the ductwork serving that area. Common causes include gaps, tears, disconnections, or aging tape that’s broken down over time.
Should I repair or replace my air ducts?
It depends on the extent of the damage. Minor leaks can often be sealed. Ducting over 20 years old, or any section with severe damage, is usually better replaced than repaired.
How does Ardmore Fresh Air repair leaking ductwork?
Our technicians use duct sealing to close leaks and restore proper airflow, along with professional-grade materials suited to the type of damage. [Contact us] for an inspection and repair estimate.