Ductwork Repair & Duct Sealing in Corpus Christi, TX

Why ducts matter so much here

In many Corpus Christi homes the air handler and the ducts are in the attic, which can be far hotter than the outdoor air on a summer afternoon. Every leak in a supply duct dumps cooled air into that attic, and every leak in a return duct pulls hot, humid attic air into the system. The air conditioner works harder, the house stays warmer and more humid, and dust from the attic gets into the living space. ENERGY STAR lists checking and sealing ducts as part of a complete HVAC checkup (ENERGY STAR, HVAC Maintenance Checklist).

Signs of duct problems

• One or two rooms are always hotter than the rest of the house.
• Weak airflow from some registers.
• Registers or ceiling around them that sweat or drip in summer.
• More dust than usual, or dust streaks around registers.
• High electric bills with a system that seems to work.
• Whistling, rattling or a musty smell when the system runs.

Common duct problems in Coastal Bend homes

Flex duct that has sagged, kinked or come apart

Flexible duct is the norm in local attics. Over time it sags between supports, kinks around framing, gets crushed when someone walks through the attic, or pulls loose from a fitting. A disconnected duct can pour cold air into the attic for years before anyone notices.

Leaky connections

Joints at the plenum, boots and registers are the weak points. Cloth duct tape dries out and fails in attic heat; mastic and UL-listed foil tape hold up.

Sweating ducts and registers

When cold ducts or registers meet humid air, they sweat. Thin or damaged insulation on ducts, gaps around register boots, and humid attics all contribute. Over time, the water stains ceilings and can feed mold (EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home).

Not enough return air

Many homes have one central return. Closing bedroom doors cuts those rooms off from it, so they get stuffy and the system starves for air. Jumper ducts or transfer grilles can help.

Storm and pest damage

Roof leaks after storms soak duct insulation, and rodents chew through flex duct. Ducts that were wet for a long time, especially after flooding, may need replacement.

Repair, seal or replace

• Repair: reconnecting and re-supporting loose or sagging runs, replacing crushed sections.
• Seal: sealing joints and boots with mastic, and sealing register boots to the ceiling.
• Replace: when the ducts are old, brittle, badly designed or contaminated, a new system sized to the airflow each room needs.
• Test: a duct leakage test and room-by-room airflow readings show what changed.

If you are replacing the AC, it is the best time to fix the ducts too, since a new system connected to leaky ducts will not deliver its rated efficiency.

Sources: ENERGY STAR, HVAC Maintenance Checklist; EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home.