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How to replace old air ducts elementpdx.com/2021/07/01/how-to-replace-old-air-ducts
Air ducts are an essential part of any HVAC system. It delivers cold or hot air to all rooms of the house. As far as its cleaning is concerned, we must clean it regularly to ensure fresh air can circulate the house. However, sometimes there can be a need to replace air ducts, which can be a lengthy process and cost a lot. Although replacing ducts yourself is a tough job, it requires professional help. Therefore, hiring an air duct repair and replacement Cumming service is the best idea. However, like some homeowners, you can hire help for the hard part. It may seem like a bad idea for most, but it can be very affordable to do so. Anyhow, before we go through the process of replacing the air ducts, let’s see why you need it.
Reasons for replacing air ducts There may be many reasons to replace old air ducts, but the most common ones are as follows: The Duct system is too old If you have purchased an old house, your first job will be to have it checked for wiring, ventilation, fixtures, and air ducts. In most cases, wiring and air ducts would need replacing. Leaking air ducts After years of usage, the wear and tear of air ducts start taking a toll on ductwork. They might start leaking. Usually, repairing is a good idea, but they might need replacing. Air ducts too big Most homeowners redesign their rooms, which may need to be torn down the wall. If ducts are too big, covering them back into the wall will be difficult and needs changing.
A step-by-step guide to replacing air ducts When it comes to replacing air ducts, we can break them down into parts. According to heating and air conditioning service Cumming, removing the old ductwork is the most challenging job; replacing them comes after. However, before that, here are things you need to replace old air ducts. Things needed for the process You need to properly get ready to replace old air ducts with new ones using proper equipment. Here is a checklist to go through before you start.
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Tools Of course, you’ll need tools like a hammer, screwdriver, saber saw, screws, metal hangers, drills, and bits for the saw and drills. Protective gear For any cleaning, you need protection. Have safety goggles, gloves, and masks ready. Metal sheet Galvanized steel and aluminum for ductwork will be needed, as it provides strength that most other materials don’t. However, it has one disadvantage: since the metal sheet is rigid, it’s not flexible, making it hard to insulate. Therefore, you will need assistance in modifying the sheet. Plastic insulator Some ductwork may be made from plastic, but it’s mainly used for insulating ducts. The best and most robust plastic to use is polyurethane. Fiberglass You may hear of fiberglass ceilings, which are good material for ducts. You could use it between rafters or along with existing roofs. These compressed boards often come already insulated, plus they can be easily cut and sealed.
5 Steps to Remove Old Air Ducts 2/4
Air duct repair and replacement Cumming service follow these steps to remove old air ducts: Step 1 Start by accessing the ductwork. Typically, ductwork is located in a full basement or attic. The work is a lot simpler for you if there Is a small crawl space there. When working in a small area, bring all the necessary tools, including a drill, knife, flashlight, and other valuable items. You should wear protective gear like a dust mask and leather working gloves as you may encounter sharp edges. Step 2 Begin the removal at the end of the system. Standard ductwork systems consist of two parts, return and output, two separate ducts attached to them, one for cooling and one for heading. You should use the furthest one as the starting point. Step 3 Start dismantling metal sheet ductwork. Ducts are usually attached to vents with sheetmetal joints and specially shaped pieces designed to fit the vent together securely. First, you’ll have to remove sheet metal screws to remove the sheets around the duct. Mostly, screws are either Philips-head or hex heads that require screw gun or screw bits to remove. Step 4 Next is flexible ductwork that is easy to remove by cutting it off with a small knife. If it’s a tight space, be sure to dismantle sections as you work your way out gradually. This way you won’t have to go again the second time. Step 5 Carefully dispose of the old ductwork properly and thoroughly clean the work area afterward. Use a vacuum cleaner for cleaning and handle the sharp fiberglass pieces and fibers carefully.
5 Steps for Installing New Air Ducts Installing new air ducts can take up to two days by a professional. However, it may take longer if you’re doing it yourself. Heating and air conditioning service Cumming recommends securing all joints carefully, giving no chance for any leakage. To make things easier, here are few steps to follow for installing new air ducts: Step 1 First, start with design and planning the whole system and process. This process includes mapping out the structure of your system that covers pathways, vent locations, and returns. Of course, you could reinstall everything at the same place it was before. Anyway, 3/4
make sure to have the right amount of materials and adequately sized ductwork pieces ready to assemble. Step 2 Next, installing the Plenum, a chamber that collects air straight from the furnace or AC unit. The plenum chamber is the brain of ducts from where the main trunk lines of ducts originate. Step 3 Install the main trunk line, the spine of your air conditioner system. These extend to the entire length of the structure. Furthermore, at the end of the line, don’t forget to use a cap to stop or halt the air. Step 4 Installing branch runs that run from the main trunk line to each room. These branches that you planned and marked on the mainline during the third step. Air duct repair and replacement Cumming recommends securely attaching each joint of the components carefully to reduce any chance of leakage. Step 5 Based on simple rules of physics, you need to install returns that are necessary to circulate air around the rooms of your home. How many return your structure needs and where to install them? Simple, it depends on the structure itself and where you want the return air to collect. The steps mentioned above will assist you in replacing old air ducts quickly. However, you will need some tools and equipment beforehand. If at any stage, you need professional help, Heating and air conditioning service Cumming can help. Ask a professional to come down for assistance. If you are a DIYer, have one or two assistants with you to help you all the way and make things easier.
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