Home Improvement
5 Helpful Tips to Prevent Ductwork Sweating
There’s a reason why 87% of all houses in the United States are equipped with air conditioning. AC has become so commonplace, it’s rare to find a building that’s not equipped with it. However, its popularity doesn’t mean that it can’t cause problems. Unfortunately, when warm air meets the cold air produced by AC it creates condensation.
This in turn can lead to what’s known as ductwork sweating. While it might sound innocuous, this problem can cause serious water damage. As such, you should do everything in your power to prevent it. Luckily, we’ve organized this list of five ways you can address the problem before it becomes serious. Let’s learn how!
Five Ways to Prevent Ductwork Sweating
As we mentioned, ductwork sweating occurs when the humidity outside creates condensation within the ducts. This condensation can pool and begin to drip. In addition to water damage, it can also reduce the effectiveness of your AC unit.
Luckily, there are some easy ways you can prevent it from happening. In this section, we’ll go over five tips to stop ductwork sweating before it becomes an issue.
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Reduce Humidity
The first step you should take to preventing ductwork sweating is reducing the humanity levels. You can do this by properly spacing out the ducts to allow air to flow through them.
If your ducts are in a crawlspace, then cover them in soil. This will reduce the amount of moisture generated around them. If your ducts are in the attic, then make sure they’re insulated. If you live in a particularly humid environment, then consider purchasing a dehumidifier.
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Clean Regularly
When there’s a block in the air vent it prevents the air from circulating properly. This causes the air in certain sections of the duct to get colder, which can lead to sweating. As such, you should clean your ducts regularly to ensure that nothing is blocking them.
Read Also: Should You Repair or Replace Your Broken Air Conditioning System?: The Key Factors to Consider
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Repair Leaky Ducts
If there are holes or openings in your ducts, then they will inevitably leak. As such, you should do everything you can to repair them as soon as possible. You can find leaks using a pressure gauge or feeling for air with your hand.
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Insulate Properly
Insulation is important because it prevents the warm air from coming into contact with cold air from the vents. That’s why insufficient insulation is one of the leading causes of excess humidity.
The only problem is that ducts are awkwardly shaped surfaces. As such, insulating them can be difficult. If you aren’t sure how to insulate, then we recommend a chilled water blanket. These insulating devices accommodate unusual surfaces while remaining air-tight.
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Change Your Air Filters Regularly
Air filters help keep debris from blocking your vents. As such, you should remember to change them regularly. We recommend changing them once every one month if you can.
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We hope this article helped you learn some helpful ways to prevent ductwork sweating in your home. While some ductwork sweating is normal, if it happens too much, then it can cause expensive water damage.
Luckily, as long as you follow the advice on this list you should have nothing to worry about. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep exploring to find more content you’re sure to love.
