The Leaky Ductwork in Your Charlotte-Area Home: It’s Costing You in More Than 1 Way

September 10, 2013
Ross and Witmer

Leaky ductwork is an all-too-common problem in many homes. Damaged and disrupted ducts can degrade your indoor-air quality and spike your energy costs, as your heating and cooling systems must work harder than they need to. Those leaks are costing you in terms of air quality and energy efficiency, so it’s wise to undertake a comprehensive duct-sealing strategy. It will make your Charlotte-area home healthier and more energy-efficient.

Benefits of Duct Sealing

Leaky ductwork allows contaminates to enter your air stream. Poor air quality can affect your health, especially if you already have a respiratory-system issue, such as COPD. These leaks also cause your heating and cooling system to work harder. By fixing the problem ductwork, you will ensure that your home is running at maximum efficiency while protecting your health.

Common Duct Problems

  • Loose connections.
  • Leaky air returns.
  • Places where duct tape has failed.
  • Kinks restricting airflow.
  • Crushed or completely dislocated sections.
  • Fallen insulation

When you’re inspecting your ductwork, look for tears, loose joints and holes. Even a small
unsealed joint or a tiny tear can lead to big problems. Inspecting your ductwork once a year is generally recommended.

What To Do About Leaky Ductwork

Inspect your ductwork, looking for rips, tears and loose connections. You can seal these breaches with mastic and mesh or a thermal-resistant tape available at most home-improvement centers. Don’t use standard duct tape, as it will degrade.

Major problems require the expertise of an HVAC-system professional. He will need to make repairs that call for the replacement of destroyed or missing sections. He can also make repairs in hard-to-access areas.

For more information about leaky ductwork and what can be done to correct the problem, contact the experts at Ross and Witmer. While we’re meeting with you, we can also conduct an air-quality test. We have proudly serving the Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Gaston and Union area since 1945.

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