duct-tape on supply ducts

wes owens · 07-03-2007, 08:59 PM

I found that all of the ducts had been wrapped with duct-tape instead of UL listed foil tape.

This is a new construction that I did today and I recommended repairs.

There are no circumstances that would allow the use of duct-tape in this application, correct?

Similar Threads:

**DavidR** · 07-04-2007, 04:30 PM

Ouch, looks like somebody used what they had on the truck.

That tape will be lucky if it doesn't start to delaminate in about 90 days.

Mike Parks · 07-05-2007, 11:34 AM

I thought duct tape was listed for all repairs.

**Phillip Stojanik** · 07-05-2007, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Parks

I thought duct tape was listed for all repairs.

You have to "smile" when you say that Mike or people will think you are being serious!

**Jerry Peck** · 07-05-2007, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Parks

I thought duct tape was listed for all repairs.

Yeah, I used it on an old VW I had, worked well for the repair.

Then again, so did taking off the fuel line from the carb and tying it over the carb so gas ran into it (pinched off with a piece of coat hanger to 'control' the flow of gas) when the float/needle valve stuck and quite working. Got my friend and I home (of course, driving about 60 miles at 15 mph wasn't our idea of "fun", but it sure was better than walking ... guess I could have stopped and adjusted the flow of gas to a bit more to get more speed, but when I tried that the first time, it would flood out and die). Try doing that to a 'modern car' with a computer chip.

**Thom Walker** · 07-05-2007, 02:48 PM

Unfortunately, my first wife got custody of the pictures of the exploding Fiat Spyder that I had patched the fuel line enough to get us home. It got us to within a couple of miles. Some guy passed me and yelled, "you're on fire". We pulled over and started running. We got about 50 yards. For all of you who think a car can't go up in flames like they do in the movies .....WRONG..... It was just like the movies. It blew the gauges all the way through the driver's seat. In ten minutes that thing looked like a well used BBQ pit.

I think it was part of her reasoning for "irreconcilable differences."

**Matt Fellman** · 07-05-2007, 09:24 PM

I recently had a buyer (wife) sigh in disbelief that duct tape had been used to tape around a metal duct. She said something about how she couldn't believe how cheap a builder must be to use duct tape.... Her husband and I had a good laugh as we informed her that this was actually the one thing duct tape is meant for

**Phillip Stojanik** · 07-06-2007, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by Matt Fellman

I recently had a buyer (wife) sigh in disbelief that duct tape had been used to tape around a metal duct... Her husband and I had a good laugh as we informed her that this was actually the one thing duct tape is meant for

The problem is that most of the "duct tape" being sold to consumers (and used by many "professionals" as well) is not rated for use on ductwork.

The tape shown in the photo at the top of the thread does not appear to be an "aproved" UL listed product. On the other hand, its not being used to seal the duct system but rather to cover the seam edges of the insulation wrap which is (hopefully) held on the ducts with proper stapples and does not rely on the "duct tape" product in use to keep itself in place.

Michael Greenwalt · 07-06-2007, 08:17 AM

Duct tape can be used for virtually anything "except" for sealing ducts.

HVAC: Anything But Duct Tape

Give the wifey credit for her intuition.

**Rick Bunzel** · 07-08-2007, 10:51 AM

Interesting article below. I have been suggesting nylon ties (mechanical attachment) for flexiduct thinking that it was a permanent form of attachment and the article states that the ties fail as much as the duct tape does!

http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/vi...8&context=lbnl

Terry Neyedli · 07-11-2007, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by wes owens

I found that all of the ducts had been wrapped with duct-tape instead of UL listed foil tape.

This is a new construction that I did today and I recommended repairs.

There are no circumstances that would allow the use of duct-tape in this application, correct?

Red Green has all the answers for duct tape. Except, for ducting.
They cannot take the heat but it looks good even when covered up until it comes time for the eleventh month inspection. For my money I'll be sure to use the proper metal (al) tape.
T.Neyedli
www.alphahomeinspections.ca