6 Warning Signals That You Need To Repair Or Replace Your Ductwork

The majority of homeowners rarely consider the condition of their duct system, and to be honest, ducts are rather simple to overlook. After all, they reside within your walls, and as with many other things in life, if they are out of sight, they are assumed to be forgotten. Sadly, skipping periodic duct repair can only end up costing you more money as your ducts start to deteriorate over time.

Your HVAC system’s decreased efficiency will result in higher energy costs and reduced interior comfort. However, none of these things must happen. Simply by paying closer attention to the condition of your ducts, you can easily avoid expensive heating and cooling expenditures and an uncomfortable house.

Here are six of the most typical ducting damage warning indicators that you must never overlook.

1. Unusual Noise From The Heating Or Cooling System

During operation, your heating and cooling system naturally creates some noise. Of course, you should also hear air blowing out of your vents as the system turns on. Any additional noises your HVAC system may make, however, are abnormal.

Damaged ductwork is probably to blame if you hear rattling or vibrating noises that seem to be coming from beneath your drywall. If there are openings where air can escape from the ducts, the air moving through them may make strange noises. Air can also generate noise as it passes through faulty ductwork connector connections that link various ductwork sections.

A ductwork examination should be requested from a heating or cooling professional if you’ve observed a sudden or gradual rise in the amount of noise your HVAC system produces. The sooner you get the issue examined, the better. If you ignore it, it will only get worse.

2. Unequittable Air Distribution

Have you ever noticed how strangely warm or cool any of your home’s rooms are? Uneven heating and cooling is a typical symptom of ducting damage. Conditioned air leaks out and cannot reach its destination when the ducts are damaged or the joints are not adequately sealed.

The outcome? A room that seems to be much colder or warmer than the rest of your home. A heating and conditioning expert can evaluate your ductwork if you’ve been finding that some portions of your home don’t feel the same temperature as others.

Your ducts may need to be replaced, or if you’re lucky, the problem may only require a simple duct cleaning.

3. Rise In Energy Charges

Your furnace or air conditioner will have to run longer hours to maintain a constant temperature in your home when conditioned air can seep out of your ducting (if that is even feasible). Additionally, you’ll notice a big increase in your monthly energy expenses if an air leak forces your heating or cooling system to run almost constantly.

You might have HVAC damage on your hands if your gas or electricity bill just increased. You should have the problem looked out as soon as possible. It can be ductwork that needs to be repaired, or it might be an ineffective furnace or air conditioner.

4. Improve Your Work

Mold in your ductwork is difficult to see, but there’s a strong chance you may smell it. Your ducts may be to blame if you start to detect a musty smell in your home. Grab a screwdriver, a flashlight, and a ladder (if required) and take off your vent covers to find out. Look for any indications of black or green residue when you shine your flashlight into the duct entrance. Any mold that you notice is mold.

Make an appointment for a duct cleaning as soon as you realize your ducts are really unclean. After cleaning your ducts, if the musty smell persists, it’s likely that the ducting needs to be replaced since it has degraded in places you can’t see.

5. You Always Have Dust In Your House

Despite routine cleaning and vacuuming, do you still feel like your home’s interior is covered with dust? Ductwork damage could be to blame. If your air ducts have holes, splits, or worn seams, dust from the outside can readily enter through those damaged places.

This dust will be stirred up and forced through the system of ducts in your home when your HVAC system kicks on. If your supply duct has a filter, it can catch part of the dust that sweeps through the ducting but not all of it.

You should have a professional check your ducts for damage if persistent dust is a concern for you. Another possibility is that your ductwork is just filthy and has to be thoroughly cleaned in order to stop bringing dust into your living spaces.

6. Vents Filled With Dust

Do the supply or return vents appear to be clogged with what appears to be dark lint? How frequently do you change your air filter, if at all? Because it will become heavily dust-covered if you don’t change it every 30 to 60 days. When the filter is completely filled, dust will eventually start to build up on the vent itself.

However, if you’re vigilant about replacing your filter every one to two months and you still find debris that resembles lint accumulating on your vents, your ductwork may be damaged. Get your air ducts checked out by an expert to see whether that’s the case.