What is The Difference Between Ducting and Piping?

Yes, plastic ducting can be sealed, here are two methods that can be used to do so:

Duct tapes

Aluminium duct tape is a very common method of sealing plastic duct runs; however, cloth tape also provides a very tight and very long-lasting air-tight seal. Ducting sealant or caulking is a better option to give an airtight but permanent seal.

Be sure to apply the duct tape slowly and without any creases, as these may allow air to leak and increase pressure loss within the duct run.    

Duct tapes give a very secure but temporary seal, if you are looking for a completely air-tight and permanent seal, then silicone sealants can be used.

It is said that you should check your duct sealing tape every year to ensure that an airtight bond is still being achieved.

Sealants

Clear or grey-coloured sealants are available, and once set, they provide a very strong seal that cannot be undone, this is perhaps why people prefer to use duct tape, but for the lowest air pressure drop, a ducting sealant is the best option.

It is usually unnecessary to prime and glue plastic ducting pipes, but if you prefer to do this to ensure a permanent seal, you can. Ducting sealant is specifically designed to create a very strong bond without this process.

Ducting sealant takes a little while longer to set than PVC glue, however, this is usually seen as a positive thing, as it gives you time to make any last adjustments before it sets solidly.

Does ducting need to be sealed?

Whether you choose metal or plastic ducting, it must always be sealed. Otherwise, the ventilation process is not as efficient or can even be made irrelevant.

Having unsealed ductwork means the air that is being extracted or delivered will be released in the wrong place, having unsealed ducting also reduces the pressure in the vents and can allow dust and other allergens to be released in areas they shouldn’t be.

Why ducting is so important

Ducting is important as it is used in order to create an isolated airflow for extracted air to travel through, the airflow is facilitated by the use of an extractor fan or PIV systems.

These systems aid in creating a home or space with fresh air and help to regulate the temperature in order to prevent the cultivation of mould and dampness.

Mould can severely affect your immune and respiratory system, as the spores are easily breathable and not obvious to see through the human eye.

If you have found mould in your home, you need to assess if this is your landlord’s responsibility (for example it could be from a leaking roof that needs repairing). Or if the damp is caused by improper ventilation. To assess your options, click here.

If you want the best possible prevention from the dangers of mould, ventilation systems along with having a regular ventilating routine is the most secure option you take. Proper ventilation is as simple as:

• Opening a window and using an extractor fan during or after a hot bath/shower
• Creating an airflow by opening windows on different sides of the home for around 20 minutes a day
• Buying or making use of extractor fans within the home
• Opening a window or using an extractor in the kitchen whilst cooking hot meals
• (if living in a house) opening windows downstairs and upstairs, allowing the rising hot air to escape through upstairs windows, while cool, fresh air circulates in from the downstairs windows.

Track your humidity levels

Consider buying a Hygrometer. This device measures the levels of humidity in the air, which can indicate to you which rooms are creating the perfect environment for mould. This is a valuable maintenance and detection device that we offer.

Deal with it

If you find mould on any surfaces, clean it immediately with our anti-mould surface cleaner.

If mould reappears at a certain spot in your home, check to see if there is any leak or damage to the area that can be letting moisture in. If so, contact your landlord or trusted tradesman to fix the issue.

Browse our mould control options for the best possible solutions to dealing with mould.

Please note that these steps will not completely defend against mould if there are leakage issues in your home, but will certainly help to mitigate the growth of mould if done on a regular basis.

I-Sells – Ducting and ventilation