Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Central Air - Leaky Ducts
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wherewasi
08-06-03, 10:38 AM
Hi,
I don't know a lot about a/c. But when the temperature in my basement is around 50 degrees and the main floor in my ranch is approaching 80, you don't have to be a rocket scientist....
The house is older and the a/c was installed before we moved in. I have found a huge gap between a couple of the large rectangular ducts that come off the intake in the basement... but they are joined one over the other (near the ceiling) and there is not a lot of room in there to work. Whoever did this knew it was a problem... there's a single piece of duct tape there trying to keep all that air in the pipes. It's almost laughable.
Anyway, I wanted to know if you guys knew where I should start... what reading material and other resources I could check etc. I'd like to build a patch myself... but maybe I need a pro.
Any thoughts aer appreciated.
Tom
I don't know a lot about a/c. But when the temperature in my basement is around 50 degrees and the main floor in my ranch is approaching 80, you don't have to be a rocket scientist....
The house is older and the a/c was installed before we moved in. I have found a huge gap between a couple of the large rectangular ducts that come off the intake in the basement... but they are joined one over the other (near the ceiling) and there is not a lot of room in there to work. Whoever did this knew it was a problem... there's a single piece of duct tape there trying to keep all that air in the pipes. It's almost laughable.
Anyway, I wanted to know if you guys knew where I should start... what reading material and other resources I could check etc. I'd like to build a patch myself... but maybe I need a pro.
Any thoughts aer appreciated.
Tom
Ed Imeduc
08-06-03, 11:56 AM
For a DIY job . Get some insulated duct board and alum tape for it . Ask at a small furnace company they could have some scraps of the duct board. This you could cut with a knife and try and fit in around what you have. I think this would work best. ;) ED
wherewasi
08-06-03, 12:30 PM
Ed,
Sounds do-able. I'll give it a shot. It can't be worse than what I have now.
I appreciate the help.
Tom
Sounds do-able. I'll give it a shot. It can't be worse than what I have now.
I appreciate the help.
Tom
hvac4u
08-06-03, 02:34 PM
to coat your seams with duct sealer (we call it mastic), sets up like an airtight cast...good stuff
hvac01453
08-06-03, 05:05 PM
don't wing it...separate the two and hang the two pieces at equal distances apart and then install a rectangular piece you get made up at a shop. zip screw them together and then plaster all the seams with mastic...be generous. Reinstall the insulation and seal where it meets with staples. I'm sure the home owner will opt for the duct board...sheet metal is much harder to work with and often requires someone to hold while the other fastens with a screw gun.