How to Repair Holes in HVAC Ducts In Nigeria

How do you fix a hole in a flexible air duct?

You can’t repair duct holes using duct tape; despite the name, that’s not what duct tape is good for. What will work on gaps and tears in flexible ducts is mastic sealing, a resin-based material that stands up to temperature changes. This is a job for professionals to handle using a mastic caulking gun.

Can you use Gorilla tape on HVAC ducts?

With a strong tape adhesive and a highly flexible backing, duct tape is an excellent addition to repairing, crafting, organizing, and DIY projects. We selected the Gorilla Black and Lockport duct tapes as our top picks for weather-resistance, versatility, and adhesive strength.

HVAC ducts are made of lightweight metal sheets, so they are susceptible to holes. Holes in your ductwork can result in leaks and prevent the air conditioner system from working optimally. Finding and fixing holes in your duct may be challenging, but searching for HVAC repair near me will help you solve the issue permanently.

Some signs that your ductwork has holes include:

• Rise in your energy bills
• Inefficiency of your HVAC system
• Evidence of peeling, sealant, or metal chips in your vents
• Dust or debris in your home that will not go away
• Inconsistent temperatures throughout different rooms in the same house

Here are some tips on repairing holes in your HVAC ducts:

Gather the Items You Need

Fixing holes in HVAC ducts requires that you have the right tools. You need to gather tools and supplies to patch the hole permanently. Some items you may need include

• Safety glasses
• Rags
• Construction-grade gloves
• Tape (metal foil)
• Tape squeegee
• Nails
• Self-tapping screws
• Silicon caulk
• Caulk gun
• Snips
• Utility knife
• Metal sheet
• Tape measure
• Marker
• Drill motor

The tools and supplies make fixing ductwork holes easier. They can keep you safe from harm when repairing your HVAC ducts.

Inspect Your Ducts

Handling your ductwork can prove stressful as you might not know where the issue lies. Start by inspecting your ductwork and vents to check for holes. A comprehensive inspection allows you to understand the extent of the problem and devise ways to fix them.

Visually inspect ducts you can access: Climb into the attic, basement, and crawlspace and check for holes. You can turn your HVAC system on and repeat the process; any air coming through the duct means there is a leak you must fix. During your inspection, mark all areas of interest to avoid forgetting about them when fixing.

Inspect HVAC registers and vents to see if any connections are loose. Loose registers and vents might be losing air, so you need to tighten them to improve your HVAC’s efficiency.

Clean the Surfaces

Taping small leaks might not work since the adhesive’s ability might be hindered by dust and grime buildup in your ducts. You should clean the surfaces before applying tape or patches to fix the holes.

Damp your rag in water with dishwashing liquid and use it to wipe down the surfaces. Using another rag, you can dry the surface to make sure the sealing tape bonds correctly.

Fix Holes in Your Ductwork

After identifying leak spots and cleaning the surfaces, you can now fix the holes. There are two common ways of fixing duct holes depending on the extent of the problem:

Using HVAC Tapes

HVAC tape is specially designed to seal leaks on HVAC systems. They are ideal for fixing small leaks where the air pressure is not too high. Experts often prefer HVAC tapes since they are wide enough to bridge more significant gaps and can be cut to size. They bond well with the duct’s metal surface and have the right thickness to withstand elements and pests.

While HVAC tapes are strong and stick well, they can start to dry out and fall away after some time. You need to check on it often or use sealant for longer-lasting results.

Using Duct Sealant

Duct sealant is a type of putty used to seal larger holes in your ductwork. Using a caulking gun, you can apply this thick, pasty, and paint-like substance to gaps and cracks, then spread using a paintbrush. Water-based duct sealant bonds well and is easy to clean.

Insulate the Ducts

Once all the leaks in your ductwork are sealed up, you should insulate them to prevent the leaks from reoccurring. Applying insulation around your ductwork will prevent pests from making holes. This will protect the sealant patches, allowing them to hold off more air pressure. Insulation prevents further air leaks, so your system works more efficiently, which can save you money.

The best insulation options to use around your ducts are fiberglass or foam. Look for insulation material with a high R-value for the best results.

Work With the Best HVAC Repair Near Me

Leaks in your ductwork affect your HVAC’s efficiency. Some side effects you may experience due to duct leaks include significant increases in energy bills and uneven temperatures between different rooms in the home. Working with the best HVAC repair near you can help fix holes in your ductwork.

Why are there holes in ductwork?

Holes or eyelets in duct plugs allow technicians to use a pull rope or tape to remove the plug during your next cleaning. These plugs are still airtight as the hole should not go all the way through the plug. They protect your duct system from dust, dirt, and debris and are usually made of polyurethane.

Should there be holes in ductwork?

Holes in your ducts can let warm and cool air escape, compromising your whole system’s efficiency. Worse yet, holes draw air contaminants, such as dust, mold spores, insulation fibers and chemical fumes into your home’s air, compromising your family’s indoor air quality.