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Attic ducting. Ducting needs preventive maintenance too.

By
Home Inspector with Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections 10072923

Attic ducting. Ducting needs preventive maintenance too.

In many cases when I am inspecting homes for Desert Sun Home Inspections in Carlsbad New Mexico,

I run into situations that are not a good thing for the buyers or the sellers.

Many of the duct work issues are never seen by the seller, Realtors or the buyers.

When was the last time you had seen a buyer go into the attic to see if there just might be anything that needs to be addressed?

They just don't do this.

In the attic's here in New Mexico, the temps can reach a staggering 150 degrees.

This can cause all kinds of issues with any and everything in the attic's spaces.

If there is any vinyl covered duct work that is in nearly every home now.

This can simply put, "FALL APART". The heat causes all kinds of issues for the existing duct work.

Lets take a look at what can happen when the attic get's too hot.

Vinyl covering on duct work missing and degraded.

This is definitely a problem for the duct work.

Heat induced duct failure.

Here we have a duct that has been damaged by the heat in the attic.

The energy efficiency has been rduced by 50% This is not a good thing when you are trying to heat and cool a home.

The attic venting is correct for this size of home. But when this happens there should be more ventilation installed.

Posted by

 

Clint  McKie

Owner of Desert Sun Home Inspections Carlsbad, New Mexico. Eddy County's only certified home inspection service WITH OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. Serving all of South East New Mexico. We inspect the homes entire structure from the roof to the foundation, and everything in between. Most reports within 4-24 hours from time of inspection completion. We issue a PDF report with pictures Starting at $250.00 for each home inspection. Why settle for less when you can have the best?

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Comments(17)

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Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Clint, I an sure with the heat you get out west this is so important to check...checking attics is a must...hire a professional if you can't do it I always tell clients...good share!

Feb 01, 2013 08:50 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Clint,

We have warm temperatures too here in Austin and duct work can get damaged from the heat. The installation of radiant barrier seems to help keep the temperature down in the attic and duct work lasting longer.

Feb 01, 2013 08:53 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Ginny.

Good for you. I want every one to have a great inspection. But there will be those who do not. Nothing like being even a little prepared for an inspection.

Have a great day in North Kingstown.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 01, 2013 08:55 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Dorie,

I have seen this ( radiant barriers ) installed but not enough. The ducting needs to be protected. Even while in the attics.

Have a good day in Canyon Creek.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 01, 2013 08:58 PM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Clint: You are right, the attic is one of the forgotten about places that homeowners rarely visit, but should to make sure everything is in good working order.

Feb 01, 2013 09:47 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Clint, out of sight out of mind does not work here! Here in Florida we have the same problem and periodic inspections are necessary! Great post! Enjoy your day!

Feb 01, 2013 10:00 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, Clint, for sharing your experience and your photographs.  We always recommend a professional home inspection.

Have an outstanding weekend.

Feb 01, 2013 10:27 PM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Clint. I always look forward to reading and learning from your experiences. I'm sure the cost of the inspection and repairs will be made up with savings from the heating and cooling systems once this is corrected.

Have a super week-end, Adrian

Feb 02, 2013 01:19 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Sir Clint you know I'm surprised that you found Uncle Bob's handy work so soon.  He told me he did that about 15 years ago as a fast fix (not) it was the state of the art then or so he said. Enjoy the day and stay out of the 150 degree weather. 

Feb 02, 2013 07:57 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Anita,

The old adage of "out of sight out of mind" I say. Every part of the home needs to be inspected.

Have a good Sunday in Warner Robins.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 02, 2013 08:09 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Wayne,

You have to make the inspections, even though you are not selling the home. Home owner inspections are a must for many, many home owners. But rarely done.

Good Sunday my friend, enjoy the game.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 02, 2013 08:13 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Roy,

Have the attic spaces inspected periodically. Even if the owners are not selling the home.

Have a great Sunday in Gaithersburg.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 02, 2013 08:15 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Adrian,

The savings will more than pay for the repairs for the seller or the buyer.

Why throw money away in the attic for something that can be fixed so easily.

Have a great day and Game in Seattle my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 02, 2013 08:17 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hello James,

Not that hot here yet. But it will get there soon enough. I just wish I had a big fan to install in the accesses to cool it down when inspecting the attic's.

Enjoy the game today and may the best team win.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 02, 2013 08:19 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Duct insulation falls apart here regularly.  It has to be cared for!  The ducts in my house are 14 years old and still in good shape.  But I check!

Feb 02, 2013 08:19 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Conrad,

So true. Even though it's in a protected area. Inspections are vital for a complete home inspection.

Have a good day watching the Super Bowl.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 02, 2013 08:20 PM
Clint Mckie
Desert Sun Home, commercial Inspections - Carlsbad, NM
Desert Sun Home, Comm. Inspection 1-575-706-5586

Hi Jay,

As many owners need to check. But about 99.99% of them never do.

Enjoy the day watching the Super Bowl in Bristow my friend.

Best, Clint McKie

Feb 02, 2013 08:23 PM