Tips for Getting Ductwork Installation Done Right

December 20, 2019

Have you ever done any work on your home, only to discover something that makes you scratch your head and say, “Huh, why did they do it that way?” There are certain types of issues like this that you’re unlikely to discover until you start doing some demolition, and strange ductwork is one of those issues. Ductwork is hidden away behind the walls, and generally homeowners don’t give it a second thought. But if you’ve been noticing problems with air leakage or inconsistent heating and cooling in your home, the ductwork is one possible problem.

With this in mind, if you’ve made the decision to install new ductwork in your home, how can you make sure the job gets done correctly? Here are some tips for ensuring proper ductwork installation in Tampa, FL:

  • Hire the right contractors: First and foremost, you should make sure to do some research into the companies you are interested in working with to get the job done. See if you can find photos of other projects they’ve completed. At the very least, make sure you spend time going through references, referrals, reviews and testimonials online. Any company you work with should have a good reputation, along with plenty of experience in handling ductwork jobs. If they’re members of any professional associations or have any relevant licensure or certifications, that’s also a major benefit—working with unlicensed contractors can open you up to potential liability and losses in the event that something goes wrong during the job. So, for everyone’s protection, it’s best to go with a licensed contractor.
  • Ask about their methods: Have a ductwork contractor describe the methods they use for installation before they actually take on the job. You should insist that they use the best practices for the job. For example, only allow them to use flex ducts for straight runs, and make sure they’re pulled tight. You don’t want to work with a ductwork contractor who cuts corners.
  • Make sure testing is included: Any ductwork contractor worth working with will actually test their work before they take off and consider the job done. Important things to test for are air leakage and proper airflow. These are two of the most common ductwork-related problems, and can result in difficulties with evenly heating and cooling your house. Air leaks and poor airflow also result in inefficient operation, which can make it much more expensive to properly heat and cool your home.
  • Perform final inspections. Both you and the ductwork contractor should perform a final visual inspection before declaring the job complete. All flex ducts should be supported and tightly pulled. All supply ducts and fittings should have the proper insulation. Everything should be sealed up with an approved sealant at the various seams and joints—mastic is usually the best sealant for the job.

For more information about proper ductwork installation in Tampa, FL and how you can choose a company for the job, we encourage you to contact the team at Kenny’s Air Conditioning & Heating Services, Inc. today.

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