Permanently Close and Seal Vent

[dgoldb1]

I am currently having my basement finished and there is a vent coming right off of the supply trunk. This area is going to have sheet rock install over top of it making it inaccessible. I thought it would be a good idea to seal this vent off totally since some air is getting through the closed vent grill. What is the best way to completely seal the hole where the vent was?

Thanks for the help.

[Shophound]

Your finished basement won't need any air from this supply location?

[dgoldb1]

Your finished basement won't need any air from this supply location?

No, I had two other ducts ran to other locations int he basement and the HVAC tech recommended that we only have these two because my unit can not handle the additional vents. So this one vent needs to be closed.

[RyanHughes]

Any HVAC professional who is familiar with sheet metal work should be able to do this without a problem. If there is a takeoff run for this supply, remove it. Then seal the hole in the trunk line with sheet metal and mastic. At least that's how I think it should be done. I'm not a pro; I'm just using common sense.

[dgoldb1]

Any HVAC professional who is familiar with sheet metal work should be able to do this without a problem. If there is a takeoff run for this supply, remove it. Then seal the hole in the trunk line with sheet metal and mastic. At least that's how I think it should be done. I'm not a pro; I'm just using common sense.

Could I just use duct tape to close the opening?

Maybe this type of tape? (http://www.amazon.com/JVCC-AF20-Aluminum-Foil-Tape/dp/B000QDEQQU)

[RyanHughes]

It might leak, and I don't like the idea of air running down a takeoff (if there is one connected to the main trunk line) just to go nowhere. What does your contractor suggest doing?

[dgoldb1]

It might leak, and I don't like the idea of air running down a takeoff (if there is one connected to the main trunk line) just to go nowhere. What does your contractor suggest doing?

He suggested sealing it up with tape and I told him I could take care of it.

[t527ed]

what happens 5 yrs from now when the tape dries up and falls off up inside a sheetrocked ceiling????????


i would do something a little more permanent, but i would NEVER sheetrock a basement ceiling in the first place!!!!!!:eek:

[dgoldb1]

what happens 5 yrs from now when the tape dries up and falls off up inside a sheetrocked ceiling????????


i would do something a little more permanent, but i would NEVER sheetrock a basement ceiling in the first place!!!!!!:eek:


I may end up dropping it down to the sheetrock ceiling and just closing the vent.

[Roden2]

The proper way to seal this duct is to locate it at the supply trunk and remove thay duct and seal with sheet metal and mastic if it is a sheet metal duct. If it is ductboard then remove the duct and seal with ductboard and mastic. Done correctly you will not have to worry about it in the future. In adding the other two ducts I hope they where properly sized! Done with duct tape only and you are asking for porblems in the future. Have a blessed new year!:cool:

[dgoldb1]

The proper way to seal this duct is to locate it at the supply trunk and remove thay duct and seal with sheet metal and mastic if it is a sheet metal duct. If it is ductboard then remove the duct and seal with ductboard and mastic. Done correctly you will not have to worry about it in the future. In adding the other two ducts I hope they where properly sized! Done with duct tape only and you are asking for porblems in the future. Have a blessed new year!:cool:

I think they were sized okay. There were already 2 ducts run along the basement ceiling that went to the upstairs living room and kitchen. He ran the same size duct off of the trunk to the two new rooms in the basement.

If I were to use sheet metal and mastic how would I size the metal? Seal it from the inside or outside?

Would this Mastic be ideal for sealing an old vent along with some sheet metal? (http://www.rcdmastics.com/pd9.asp)

[Roden2]

Locate the duct to be removed, if it is a round take off, measure it buy a cap and a three screws to attach the cap and mastic the junction. If it is a square take off build a cap and do as above. Or maybe a better idea hire a professional to seal this duct and save time, worry and injury to your self. A professional will have all the tools and equip. to do the job quickly and correctly. :rolleyes:

[dgoldb1]

I have posted some images...Please advise.

http://www.precisenetworking.com/theater/1.jpg
http://www.precisenetworking.com/theater/2.jpg
http://www.precisenetworking.com/theater/4.jpg

[RyanHughes]

For pictures 1 and 3, I'd remove the vent, screw sheet metal over the opening and seal it with mastic to prevent leaks. You could use aluminum tape instead of mastic, but I'd prefer mastic. For picture 2, I don't see any duct; it just looks like a takeoff.

[dgoldb1]

For pictures 1 and 3, I'd remove the vent, screw sheet metal over the opening and seal it with mastic to prevent leaks. You could use aluminum tape instead of mastic, but I'd prefer mastic. For picture 2, I don't see any duct; it just looks like a takeoff.


Oh, is that called a take off...? Shows you how much I know :)

I can probably go to Home Depot and get some sheet metal. What kind of screws should I use to patch these two holes? I think I will order a tube of the Mastic #9.

[RyanHughes]

Takeoffs "take off" from the trunk line. Use sheet metal screws. You'll want to spread the mastic around the end of the sheet metal patch like this: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1241998/DSC00607.JPG

Is your contractor unwilling to seal the ducts like this, or do you just want to do this yourself?

[ampulman]

what happens 5 yrs from now when the tape dries up and falls off up inside a sheetrocked ceiling????????


And they do fall off. Suddenly wondered why I wasn't getting air out of a bedroom register. Seems the hack who installed the ductwork couldn't be bothered joining two sections (elbow around partial cinder block) leaving about a 2" gap. Just taped it. About 10 minutes with hammer and chisel took care of the problem. Sections now joined, fastened, and sealed.

AM

[propmanage]

You can just remove them nice new registers and cover the opening with a sheet metal patch using gasket putty or duct seal. If this what you want to do?

[dgoldb1]

I think I feel comfortable patching the old register holes myself. Can someone recommend the type of mastic to use for this application (#6, #9?)

Will Home Depot have sections of sheet metal? What is the best way to cut it to fit? Snips?

[m kilgore]

You should be able to stop by your local HVAC shop and get a few scraps of metal to cover those holes. Is the rest of your duct even sealed? All I see is some silver tape on some joints in the pictures. It would make no difference sealing these spots if the duct is only half sealed. Otherwise look at the mastic thats on the duct now to see what you need. If you are covering this duct up it should all be sealed properly for the future.

Also what size return air pipe was used on the drop to the basement room? Looks small to me and that location could be pretty noisy. Is there a return in the other room also?

[dgoldb1]

You should be able to stop by your local HVAC shop and get a few scraps of metal to cover those holes. Is the rest of your duct even sealed? All I see is some silver tape on some joints in the pictures. It would make no difference sealing these spots if the duct is only half sealed. Otherwise look at the mastic thats on the duct now to see what you need. If you are covering this duct up it should all be sealed properly for the future.

Also what size return air pipe was used on the drop to the basement room? Looks small to me and that location could be pretty noisy. Is there a return in the other room also?

This is the only return in the basement. All other rooms in the home have returns though. I actually keep that return closed most of the time anyway. Is that what I should be doing?

[m kilgore]

I would install a return in each room being finished and keep them open. Otherwise you are going to have trouble heating those rooms.

[propmanage]

I don’t think this is the last time we will be hearing from you. Good luck and have nice new years.

[RyanHughes]

If no other ductwork is sealed with mastic, I'd just seal that opening with sheet metal (might be able to find at Home Depot), screws, and foil tape (can be bought at home depot).