There may be several potential causes for ductwork holes. Inadequately sealed duct connections, loosely connected ducts, and pest intrusion into your ductwork can all result in holes forming. Your home’s HVAC system may have to work harder due to holes in your ductwork, resulting in system failure.
Also, holes might result in higher energy costs and dust and debris-filled homes. A breach in the ductwork will result in system leakage and reduce the unit’s efficiency. The entire length of ductwork needs to be replaced to permanently address an HVAC sheet metal hole.
At any particular time, though, that is only sometimes possible. Covering a hole with duct tape is also impractical because the adhesive may gradually degrade, unraveling nearly instantly. But there is a particular kind of wrap designed for holes.
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How To Find The Holes In HVAC Ducts?
As time goes on, your energy costs will start to rise. There may be holes in your ductwork if there hasn’t been a significant change in the temperature and you are certain that everything has stayed the same. Your ductwork may be compromised if your HVAC system is on, but you notice that some areas in your house are consistently warmer or colder than others.
Even after routine dusting, your home may still be dusty, indicating that your ducting has holes. You can see and breathe in the dust if dirt and debris from under your house are drawn into the ducting.
Your furnace filter may need to be replaced more frequently, as you may have noticed. This results from the system’s ability to suck dust from the perforations up through the system. The presence of peeling, duct tape, sealant, or metal on your duct is a clue that it has a hole.
If it is kinked, squashed, or knotted, you should fix any damaged ducting as soon as you notice it. Your HVAC system is not operating at its best if you experience any of the abovementioned issues. These holes damage your heating and cooling system, resulting in exorbitant power bill costs.
Finding The Hole In HVAC Duct Is A Crucial Step
Finding the ductwork holes will be your initial step in the process. Look at any exposed ducting you have as a location to look first. You may need to take down the detachable tile ceiling in some homes or climb up into the attic to inspect the ductwork.
Check your ductwork for any holes or other indications of a problem. You might be unable to detect the holes sometimes since they are so small. You should conduct a smoke test in this scenario. Use a candle while your device is set to the fan setting. The exposed ducts should be covered with smoke.
The intersection of your ducts is where you should begin. You know the ductwork has holes if you witness the smoke blown away or drawn into them.
Steps To Repair Holes In HVAC Ducts
Clean Out Ducts
Using a pail of dishwater that has been soapy and a rag, clean the region of the duct where the hole is. The duct that needs to be repaired must be carefully cleaned around the entire perimeter before being rinsed. Allow the conduit to finish drying.
Apply Aluminum Sealing Tape
Extraction of the spool of authorized aluminum sealing tape. Home improvement, hardware, and HVAC retailers all carry this. Following that, remove the tape’s wax paper backing. Taping should start a few inches above the hole.
As you continue to use the original, extend the tape by another inch, take off the backing of the wax paper, and wrap it around the duct once more. Each pass should slightly overhang a tape edge.
Wrap The Duct
Wrap the duct while making at least three passes over the hole. Each edge will overlap very slightly. After each pass, use a putty knife to press the tape down to create an airtight seal firmly. Use a pair of scissors to cut the tape after the hole has been sealed. Once you’re done, throw away the wax-paper backing.
Hire Professionals To Inspect Your HVAC System
You should get a reputable HVAC firm to inspect your system if you follow the above instructions, but your HVAC system is still inefficient. There might be holes in the ducting that you overlooked, or the holes could be in a hidden area of the ductwork.
Professional technicians can identify the area where you are losing air and correct it immediately because they have all the necessary tools. Your system will last longer, and you’ll pay less for energy if you keep your HVAC system functioning at its best.
Consider checking for holes in your ductwork if you detect any issues with your system. If you are unsure how to locate the holes, contact a reputable HVAC provider to assist you in determining what is happening.
