Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Sealing ducts using aerosol spray

Morgan - 8-6-2016 at 17:36

This episode happened to be on TV last night and it vaguely came to mind might there be some outside chance of an unforeseen downside about using this stuff, however small, initially and over the life of the duct?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcXiVz_7U3k#t=4m19s

Bert - 8-6-2016 at 21:08

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&...

So, the PVA glue mist they blow through the ducts... What are the laminar air flow characteristics of the former smooth sheet metal, vs. the sticky crap/random dust and dirt stuck on surface that develops later?

And how much does the leakage of conditioned air lost from the ducts but still INSIDE the structure in unintended areas cost, vs. the apparently expensive (hi tech!) snake oil application service to mostly seal the cracks and joints in duct work?

Morgan - 9-6-2016 at 05:50

Below is a demonstration of how it collects on a screen. I guess it seals smaller leaks fairly well but I wouldn't want it for fear a fine film residue would gunk up the ducts with dirt over time even though they say it doesn't stick to the walls of the ductwork. And does it degrade over time in a hot attic I wonder?

"Any of the sealant that happens to leak into the living space ..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7-0_eyDy1g#t=5m59s

Tidbits
"Of note, the sealant only binds to leaks without coating the rest of the interior duct, according to Aeroseal. The sealant is made with two main ingredients, vinyl acetate polymer (VAP) and 2-ethyl-1 hexanol (2E1H), and usually works without cleaning the air ducts."
"The process takes anywhere from about four to eight hours..."
http://www.jetsongreen.com/2011/11/aeroseal-indoor-air-duct-...

http://www.myhomescience.com/sealing-hvac-ducts-inside-aeros...

https://aeroseal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Aeroseal-Duc...

"We recommend that any sensitive electronics be covered while Aeroseal is sealing your ductwork."
https://aeroseal.com/residential/faqs/

[Edited on 9-6-2016 by Morgan]