Almost everyone has seen David Lettermen’s “Stupid Pet Tricks” segment and laughed. The segment’s only requirement: show us something we’ve never seen before. Thankfully, though, if you have problems with leaky ductwork, you probably don’t have an original problem: Problematic ductwork in homes is a fairly standard, treatable issue, which is good news for homeowners. Air leaks in ducts are incredibly common: in fact, it’s estimated that about 50 percent of homes have leaky ductwork. To compound the matter, leaky ducts are very expensive because you pay for energy you don’t get to enjoy: the finished product-cool, conditioned air-never reaches your rooms because it seeps out of the leaks. Here is Pipe Works Services‘ list of tops “Stupid Ductwork Tricks” that commonly occur, plus some easy solutions. Problem: Leaks in the connection of pipes. Solution: Seal ducts with mastic sealant or metal tape. Problem: The connections between ducts and supply and return registers have become loose. Solution: Use mastic sealant to tighten their connections. Problem: The connection where ducts begin at the furnace has come loose. Solution: Seal that connection with special tape designed for use with ducts or mastic sealant. Problem: Homeowners with flexible ducts have to watch out for kinks that can develop. Solution: Carefully untwist the ducts, taking care not to break any seals. You’ll reap benefits beyond just decreased energy bills because you’ve sealed up leaks. Your home’s comfort increases because more conditioned air reaches the finish line: your home’s rooms. The indoor air quality of your home also improves because dust, insulation, or fumes can’t penetrate through your ducts and into the home. Leaks in the ducts can cause back drafting (a hazardous imbalance of air that allows your home’s combustible appliances (like a gas stove) to direct gas into your venting system; however, getting your ducts sealed prevents this. Lastly, you also contribute to a greener environment by not wasting energy. David Letterman’s “Stupid Pet Tricks” segments are infamous; with duct sealing, you can make your energy bills famous for how low they become. The experts at Pipe Works Services are available for consultation and can help make your ductwork airtight. Give us a call anytime. Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide. Pipe Works Services serves Chatham, NJ, and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website.