7 Early Signs of Leaky Vents in Your Office

It’s something to be thankful for if the air vents in your office are old and functioning as they did during their first run. Unfortunately, old ducts often develop leaks, especially where there are loose links. Knowing the signs of a leak in vents allows you to take care of it before it’s too late. A scenario where it’s too late is when a leak gets too big and starts getting in the way of your work. Calling a licensed contractor from a reputable firm like Direct Air to schedule repairs is the way to go if you suspect leaky vents. You don’t have to attempt to do the repairs by yourself.

This guide explores the signs of leaky vents to help you keep your venting system operational. So, keep reading to learn about these signs and explore the subjects of leaky vent systems.

Signs that your office vents are leaky

Leaky vents can be problematic sometimes. You’ll know you have leaky vent systems when you notice the following signs.

1.    High monthly energy bills

Leaks in the vents undermine the HVAC’s effort to cool your space according to your needs. It happens when the leaks direct the air to parts of your office that don’t need cooling. The results are that there will be competition due to the temperature difference.

The system will work harder and longer, which means it consumes much energy. You’ll feel it at the end of the month when you have to pay high utility fees.

2.    Uneven heating and cooling

Have you noticed cold and warm spots in your office space? That unevenness is another sign that there are leaky vents in your office. The leaks pull cool air out of the HVAC or warm air in. After removing air, it gets deposited in different spots in your and, thus, unevenness.

The farthest parts of the office will likely feel warm, while the spots near the source will feel colder. It’s unlikely that you will miss these events. If adjusting the thermostat doesn’t fix it, start scheduling ductwork repairs.

3.    Dusty air in your office

Vent leaks allow unfiltered outdoor air to get into the ductwork. The system won’t sense this and will continue to blow the dusty air in.and the air in your office might suddenly feel very dusty. You might also experience difficulty in controlling your sneezing and other bodily reactions if you have a dust allergy.

Also, furniture surfaces such as desks and shelves, will have dust films on them even after cleaning. When every HVAC system component functions correctly, the air in your space is usually clean. Have an expert repair the leaks since the fine dust is harmful.

4.    Humming noises

An HVAC system typically hums, especially when first starting. After that, unusual noises from the system and vents indicate an issue, possibly a leak. The air from a leak creates groaning sounds or hums in the ducts. The sounds start and stop through the cycles of your HVAC.

5.    Low airflow

A leak will cause a reduction in the amount of air reaching your air space. Stay vigilant of the amount of air getting into your space throughout to know when there is a change. Low airflow indicates a problem with the ductwork and is often a leak.

6.    Cold spot on the wall

Cold air blowing out of a leak in AC vents located on a wall in your office creates a cold spot on the side wall. It may take you intentionally seeking the cold spots on the walls to find the cold zone. Compare the temperature of one wall to another to tell which part has a cold area.

7.    Frequent repairs on the HVAC

Another early sign of leaky vents is the system breaking down every other day, so you must schedule repairs every other week. It’s common for old HVAC to break down. However, if your system is new and starts to break down like an old one, it’s a cause for concern.

A newly installed HVAC should run smoothly without problems for at least ten years. After that, however, a leak in the system causes it to work harder and therefore wear out faster. Regular maintenance helps you spot leaks before they drive the system to wear out.

Things to do to locate leaky vents in your office

After noticing any of the above events, schedule maintenance for the vents. You can DIY if you wish as long as you know what to look for. Below is a brief guide on how to locate leaky ducts.

1.    Examine the ducts for tears

Look for holes and cracks in the ductwork and mark your findings. Marking the damaged spots using a grease pencil makes it easy to find them when it’s time for repairs. You’ll likely find some tears bigger than others, which requires you to be thorough.

2.    Check the duct joints

A leak might develop from a weak duct joint, which is typical. It happens when the seal wears off. Feel for leaks with your hands.

3.    Turn the HVAC all the way on

The system forces conditioned air to circulate all around your office space when you turn it entirely on. In the process, you can identify a leaky vent quickly due to temperature fluctuations. In addition, it’s possible to find multiple leaks at once with this technique.

4. Eliminate tape used to cover previous leaks

Duct tape-sealed leaks could, over time, be the source of leaks since it only serves as a temporary solution. Have your technician replace the tape with an actual seal.

5.    Test the system using a fog machine

A fog machine comes in when you want to assess a seal job. It helps expose any leaks you may have missed. It works best to seal the big leaks to avoid filling the office with smoke. Hire a professional since it requires special equipment that you may not have.

Takeaway

Leaky vents interfere with the comfort your office space provides. It’s essential to know what signs to look out for when you suspect that you have leaky vents in your office. First, examine the duct joints and if you can reach them and go from there depending on what you discover. Please involve an expert to ensure you don’t do more bad than good trying to fix a leaky vent.

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