Air conditioning units are essential nowadays for our comfort and to make our home more livable. But just like any other home equipment and appliances, your HVAC system also comes to have some problems that need to be diagnosed and solved. Most of the time, the problems are about leaks that cause energy costs to rise, pressure imbalances, moisture problems, rot, and might even affect the air quality and ventilation of your home.

Here are some tips on how to repair your AC unit ductwork:

Inspect for a Leak

Turn your AC unit around and try to feel for possible leaks. You can know there’s a leak if you try to observe and feel if there is an abnormal blowing of warm air or if it sucks air. By doing this, you can wet your hands to heighten your sensitivity to detect air, or you can use some thin toilet papers to detect air movements. Sometimes, the problem might be just poor insulation but try to look for discoloration or rust around your insulation because this might indicate a leak. Check if the joints in the pipes are connected properly.

Sealing the Leak

Once you found a leak, turn the system off before doing any work. Use an aluminum foil to cover up holes and gaps. It is the best tape to use because it is cold and heat resistant, moisture and chemical resistant, and it is very adhesive even for long periods. You can use it alone, but you can use it with fiberglass tape with a mastic sealant with it. It is the best sealant to use because it sticks for a very long time, preventing frequent repairs.

Applying Mastic Sealant

To help improve the adhesion of the seal you made, use a mastic sealant. By doing this, you have to dress appropriately because it will surely be messy. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Use gloves to spread it over a tape, but a disposable paintbrush will also do the job. 

Testing the System

To know if the repair you’ve done is successful, you must test your system and use it just like how you’ve used it before. Turn on the system and start inspecting if there are still problems occurring. Observe if the temperature is normal and check if the seal you put holds effectively by checking if there are still leaks. If you want to be sure that it is running smoothly, you can call your trusted HVAC contractor for diagnostics. They will also make sure that your HVAC system passes most model codes, including the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC.) This will make sure that your system meets all the requirements and standards, and that it will work both effectively and efficiently. 

If you followed all of the steps mentioned above, repairing your ductwork should be as easy as pie. But if you are afraid to do it alone or if your repair is unsuccessful, it is still best to call for your trusted repair contractor. We hope we’ve helped! Good luck with repairing your AC ductwork.