When was the last time you thought about the ducts in your home? Probably not for a long while. That’s not unusual, though. Most people don’t think about their ducts, primarily because they don’t believe their ducts are worthy of consideration. Once they’re installed, they’re fine, right? Well, not really. Ducts may be inconspicuous, but they still require professional attention from time to time. If that isn’t done, you may find yourself dealing with duct problems that you didn’t even think were possible. Let’s take a look at one of those problems, and how duct sealing can help remedy it.
Duct Leaks
Ducts are actually very, very susceptible to the formation of leaks. They can form during installation, or through years of normal use, but what matters are the consequences of those leaks. Duct leaks may seem small individually, they can really add up. In fact, the US Department of Energy has estimated that as much as 30% of the average forced air system’s output is lost to duct leaks. That’s a massive chunk of your total climate control system output that is going to waste, thanks to a few leaks in your ducts.
Duct Sealing
Duct sealing is the best way to address issues with your duct leaks. It involves isolating the various leaks located throughout the ducts, then painting over them with a substance called “mastic.” Mastic is a viscous material that, once dry, seals the leak while still being flexible enough to move with the ducts. This can save you an immense amount of money, by increasing the efficiency of both your heating and air conditioning systems. Keep in mind that new leaks can form over time, though, so you should have your ducts checked for new leaks at least once every two years.
If you’d like to know more, call Magnolia Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We serve all of Washington, DC.
