Duct Sealing in Santa Fe

Ducts are often neglected by homeowners, and it’s easy to see why. They’re designed to be unobtrusive, quiet, and out of sight as much as possible. It’s no wonder that they often don’t get the professional attention that they need to keep operating properly. Though they may seem like they don’t need maintenance or repairs, the ducts in your home can actually develop some serious problems without them. One of the most serious issues that ducts commonly develop is leaks. Read on to find out more about why duct leaks are such a problem, and how duct sealing can help solve them. If you haven’t had your ducts sealed in a while, call Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing today to make an appointment.

Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing provides reliable air duct cleaning services in Santa Fe, New Mexico and the surrounding areas.

Duct leaks may not seem like such a big deal at first. After all, as long as you keep getting warm or cool air when you call for it, who cares about a few leaks, right? Actually, duct leaks can contribute to a serious loss of energy for your forced air systems. The U.S. Department of Energy has estimated that an average forced air system loses as much as 30% of its total output to leaks in the ductwork. That’s almost a third of your total heating and air conditioning expenses that’s completely going to waste.

Energy loss isn’t the only problem with duct leaks, either. Leaks in the ducts provide entry points for all sorts of contaminants. Dust, pollen, viruses, bacteria, and many more harmful pollutants can enter your ducts through leaks, after which they can be circulated around the house. Worst of all, if moisture is allowed to enter the ducts, it can create the perfect environment for mold growth. Mold colonies release spores which can have serious health effects if inhaled. So, for both your wallet and your health, it is absolutely worth it to have your ducts sealed.

A lot of people may assume that duct tape is the primary method of duct sealing. Based on this assumption, more than a few homeowners have tried to seal their own ducts. Despite the name, however, ducts tape is not a good method for sealing ducts. It doesn’t create a tight enough seal, and the problem often persists after duct tape is applied.

Instead, leaks in the ducts are often painted over with a substance called mastic. This has a consistency similar to sheetrock. Once it dries, it is stiff enough to maintain a seal but flexible enough to expand and contract with the ducts without cracking. Using mastic, it is fairly easy for a professional to create a lasting seal that will prevent any serious energy loss or contaminant infiltration. In some cases, the newly sealed leak will also be taped over by specialized industry duct tape. Unlike common duct tape, this tape is made of different materials, and is more suited to the job of leak sealing.

If you need your ducts sealed, call Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing to schedule an appointment.