Is duck tape ever ok for connecting ductwork to the plenum? Or is metal tape the best way to seal for many leaks?
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Is duck tape ever ok for connecting ductwork to the plenum? Or is metal tape the best way to seal for many leaks?
Mastic
yeah, I'll strap it, tape it with venture tape and seal it with mastic... I see duct with duct tape come off all the time...
I skip the tape part, kinda pointless with a strap and mastic. A lot of tapes will also release if you cover them with mastic.
I don't use any of the traditional duct tape looking products for anything. I don't think I even own any. I have 3 different kinds of tape I use on duct systems, none of them look like "duct tape".:D
The closest thing I have to "duct tape" is the rubber impregnated canvas "Gaffers Tape" I use for bundling refrigerant line sets together.
Buy the metal tape that is made from heavy gauge metal is usuallt better than the thin metal tape, The thin metal tape is ok to use on flex duct but the heavy tape is much better an IMO has better adhesive. Mastic NO.9 is good to use as well, very easy to apply with a small brush on most typical seams, anything bigger use a good high heat resitive silicone.
I used HVAC mastic on all my joints & seams &holes --
oh yeh, I will bet anyone $100 that they can not remove the 'duct' tape on my pipe joints without scraping without abraiding the stuff away!! applied in 1974, I am sure -- [sure wish I knew what brand & catalogue number!]
mastic is the best. if you mean connecting flex duct to a start collar i use two 3ft large zip ties. manufacturer sugg. connecting flex part by zip ties and insulation with duct tape. go figure
What leaks? The Doc says always dog ear your s-cleats. If you gotta run duct out side though water based is the best.
Ductdoc, can you elaborate on "dog earing" the s-cleats?
Cut your cleat two 2" longer than your duct.
Snip two of the three folds 1" back on both ends.
Round off the edges to resemble a "dogs ear".
You the have an inch to fold over your corner.
Pop a screw in to pull it tight.
The end result should resemble a drive cleat "nice and neat":)
Mastic.......it's like the same price and you don't have to worry about seams with duct tape falling apart and having to clean them off.
Thanks ductdoc. I'll have to give that a try. I agree with the others regarding mastic to seal many leaks Katyinspector.