Home Garden

How to Fix a Leak in a Heater Duct

Ducts need proper sealing to function efficiently. If a duct has a breach, air escapes through that opening and a heater or air conditioner loses effectiveness as a result. If your furnace or heater is starting to not function as well as it used to, check the ducts for leaks. Repairing a leak in a heating duct is a feasible do-it-yourself project that saves you money in heating and cooling costs.

Things You'll Need

  • Duct blower
  • Metal tape
  • Insulation
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate the leak by taping the end of a duct blower to a vent that accesses the duct system. The blower shoots air into the duct so you can locate the leaks in the system.

    • 2

      Seal cracks or slits in the duct by attaching metal tape over them. Avoid using duct tape; the adhesive is weaker than on metal tape and doesn't last. Metal tape is stronger and prevents air from escaping through the leak.

    • 3

      Wrap insulation around the areas of duct work where leaks were discovered, This further helps prevent heat from escaping.