There are many reasons why it's important to seal your duct system. For example, it can prevent leaks in ducts and significantly improve indoor air quality. However, there are many options when it comes to choosing the best products to keep ducts hermetically sealed. Two of the most popular are duct putty and adhesive tape (or aluminum tape).Both putty sealant and aluminum foil tape are good options for sealing air ducts.
Despite the name “dust tape”, never seal air ducts with adhesive tape. It just doesn't hold up. While duct tape is a quicker and easier remedy, it's more expensive and less durable in the long run. Putty air duct sealant is a preferable solution. It is a sticky material that hardens once placed in the ducts.
The ideal alternative is a duct sealer with water-based putty, which is easy to clean and lasts a long time. You can apply duct sealing putty with a simple brush if you do it yourself. Please note that duct putty sealant should not be confused with the normal “duct seal”. A duct seal is used to cover gaps around power lines and other small openings outside the property.
It was not designed for use in leaking ducts. Duct sealant is a soft compound that is often compared to the dough. It is designed to facilitate both operation and installation, and was originally developed for HVAC purposes. Duct sealer is used to create a seal that blocks moisture, dust, and air movement; it can also be used to block noise.
This material is non-conductive or corrosive and never dries out, so it can be easily removed, reshaped and reapplied when needed. While duct sealant is designed to repel moisture, it is primarily used to seal air leaks, rather than leaks of plumbing. Therefore, it has somewhat limited plumbing applications and is most often used to repair air ducts and for other electrical or HVAC purposes. However, the plumber can use a duct sealer when working with an appliance, such as a washing machine, refrigerator, or dishwasher, because duct sealant can be used to protect areas with electrical connections or to ensure that outlets and switches are safe from nearby water sources.
However, if you need an oil-based sealant for cold, adverse weather conditions, look no further: 44-52 Eco Duct Seal Low VOC (just call it MEI). The specialist will then measure the leaks and offer you a comparison between before and after the leaks in the air ducts. While duct putty is the best DIY option in terms of durability and cost-effectiveness, sealing duct vents with putty yourself can be a difficult task. When there are leaks hidden behind drywall, it can be virtually impossible to use putty to seal ducts on your own, especially in hard-to-reach regions.
While this method of sealing leaks from duct vents is less time consuming and less dirty, it doesn't compare to other duct sealing methods in terms of performance and durability. If you insist on using this option for any reason, the best thing to do is to use aluminum tape, butyl tape, or any other type of duct sealing tape that bears the UL emblem. We can also help access ducts for leaks during the cleaning procedure, as long as the duct is not closed. As with wind, which is air moving from a higher pressure zone to a lower pressure zone, air works the same way in ducts (i.e., if you have leaks in your ducts and want to repair them, there are several methods you can try to seal your duct vents).
