HVAC Duct Wrap Repair

[rocklinjohn]

I'm a homeowner, and in this down economy I have to do all my own repairs. Thank you SO MUCH for providing this excellent resource! -john

[carl6405]

Wow! Thank you for this very informative video. I have a major air leak in my duct work under the house and have been trying to figure out how to fix it myself. Being unemployed, I can't afford the $95 per hour that the pros want to charge.

[DrZarkloff]

@carl6405 Thanks for watching.

[rchandraonline]

Just a few small explanations: The reason you want to clean around something like this (or for painting) is so that the tape (or paint) sticks to whatever you're cleaning (e.g., a duct), not to the dirt. Also, squeegeing helps make sure that the largest surface area possible is sticking to the surface, not just the few "finger sized" places where you might press on it. Otherwise it has a greater chance of coming loose and/or leaking.

[letsplay59]

I saw a job that was under re-construction and on the Hvac side I saw someone start out with 18" wireflex from the bottom of a 71/2 ton packaged unit and tied on to an exsisting hard pipe. Is it possible to tie wire flex and end in hard pipe? I know you can attach wire flex to the end of hard pipe but never tie wire flex to hard (rigid) pipe at the end.

[DrZarkloff]

@letsplay59 You really should use the proper transition to insure that you have a good connection and to keep the R rating.

[ScruffyMug]

Roll em...

[DrZarkloff]

@cubanteddy24 RSES.org and escoinst.com are some pretty good places to start looking for training.

[caldsteven]

Can this same method be used to patch actual holes in the AC duct?

i.e. My cat clawed a sizable hole in the duct and got INSIDE the duct.

[DrZarkloff]

@caldsteven Yes, the same process should apply.

[The870Express]

@caldsteven replace the flex duct.

[Traustam]

I just taped my main unit in my attic up pretty good because it was not taped at all. I thought I was doing something good to make the AC work better but now my system is condensating or leaking alot. It acually leaked from the pan and the water is wetting my return air vent and sheet rock. why could this be happening?

[DrZarkloff]

@Traustam You could have gaps in the insulation.

[The870Express]

@Traustam This is why you have a professional do it lol. The insulation has to be tight and sealed around all duct.

[b0ngload]

haha

[endurablecoder]

Great video. Thank you for posting it.

[cogger310]

At no point did he say there was a hole in the duct work. You can hear the unit running, if there was indeed a hole, wouldn't the insulation move around in the wind? You guys would seriously replace the duct in order to repair some lose insulation?

[ShyBoy13]

idiot... u can have a pinhole air leak... doesnt mean that the insullation would be flopping around... and yeah, once the the jacket and insullation is ripped from the duct... itll start to sweat

[srtwq09]

u guy dont talk shit about this guy he knows what what hes so fuck you hahaa

[installhvac]

Much of your information is WRONG. This kind of mis-information is bad for the industry. 1. Closing the duct wrap insulation is not sealing an air leak 2. You can't use spray adhesive then put tape on top of it. It will fail every time. the two adhesives don't work together, just ask the tape manufacturer (not you local rep.) 3. You can't put mastic on top of foil tape, it will fail (ask the mfg again.) You may think you are an expert but are closer to being what is called a butt-crack.

[arak2004]

the only way to repair that is to rip it all out and replace it with metal. anybody can tape up a paperbag full of fiberglass.

[thetinmanalex]

Good video but as said in other posts, not sealing the ductwork underneath will be a problem down the road. Also stapling of the wrap should be done also. I'm suprised it passed inspection before it was insulated in the first place. Keep them coming!

[leshoffman1]

Dr. Z I don't believe yuo fixed the problem in this video to propery make this repair you should of removed the insulation sealed the air leak then reinsalled/repaired the insullation. If not the air leak will continue to blow the insulation away from the duct causing condinsation and the insulation to fail. Thanks for all the great videos signed the Duct Master

[DrZarkloff]

Actually, the duct wasn't leaking. The wrap had just come loose.

[loudew69]

Why doyou wanna do these videos I understand you wanna help peolple learn but now diy can do this and not call guys like us !!!!!!!!

[DrZarkloff]

DIY people usually don't have commercial air conditioners.

[loudew69]

I mean all these videos and you don't think a diy has a commercial ac they have house's and own business's at least that's what I thought

[bwd111]

LOL. Thats a good on. And its true. You go Dr.z

[richgriffin77]

I'm not a pro tech and I know enough about HVAC (certificate + work experience) to call the pros. That's why it's a trade. I just think the Doctor is more honest than most. Seeing what's involved in doing the job right (and screwing it up yourself) should lend respect to the trade from the rest of us. I can jury-rig a VAV box, but I have to call my trusted tech to really fix it.

[Jccarpenter2470]

most people don't want to DIY especially if you have to crawl under the house or the weather is really cold/hot

[TexasHomeInspector]

Thanks 101, greatly appreciate the info.

[TexasHomeInspector]

Can you give some examples of problems which may indicate improper duct size? and is there a general rule to go by as to determine wheter or not the return duct is properly sized?

[gt02rsxS]

Thanks for the tip, UL listed tape does not stick very well to duct wrap or anything ...... but itself ....... BTW your tape is old! 12/07 lol

[dhimes3]

Thanks Excellent!...can you use this method to seal resiential flex duct connections?...I have been told by a servicman that my ducts need cleaning and sealing...pisses me off since the system is pretty new (6years) and I'm retired and broke...I'm going to do it myhself..do flex connections tyuically leak at the panduit straps?

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. Yes. You can use the same method on flex.

[tavorodriguez]

Thank you it is a great educational video.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks

[rgcolley]

i'm currently enrolled in the HVAC program at my local community college and want to be a technician. I have watched allof your HVAC videos but i haven't seen any on the use of ductboard. if its possible i would like to see a video on the subject.

Thanks for giving me the help i need to cement what i have learned in class.

[DrZarkloff]

I'm a tech and not an installer. I do plan to replace my own system in December. Hang in there.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. HVAC is a great trade.

[bwd111]

I think this was a great video even if toy50194 didnt understand what was going on . Thanks keep up the great work.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks

[mechanicwarrior20]

Nice Duct liner repair I actually need to do that also :)

For an evaporator access pan cover.

And for everybody else never use duct tape on ducts the adhesive will not withstand the supply air temperatures leaving the air handler and eventually the tape will fall of.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks. That's right. Duct tape should be used on anything but duct.

[gt02rsxS]

Huh, we use duct tape on hard pipe and elbows to keep them from popping loose on top of screwing them together. Also, local codes prohibit screwing dryer vents, vent-a-hoods, and bathroom ventilation fans together with additional piping.

[DrZarkloff]

Air was escaping from the duct lining. The repair would be pretty much the same in any case.

[mysteriousjustin]

Hey have you considered getting a tripod?

might help a bit..

[DrZarkloff]

I have one. I didn't bring it because someone said that they wanted to hold the camera for me.

[Xaves511]

Another informative, interesting video. Keep them coming, Jim.

[DrZarkloff]

Thanks