Ductwork Repair & Sealing Services in Evergreen Park, IL
Your ductwork is the circulatory system of your home's HVAC. When ducts leak, disconnect, or deteriorate, you're literally throwing conditioned air—and money—into attics, crawl spaces, and wall cavities instead of your living areas. Most Evergreen Park homeowners have no idea their ducts are wasting 20-30% of their heating and cooling energy until a professional inspection reveals the truth.
Stop Wasting Energy Through Leaky Ducts
Professional duct inspection and sealing can reduce your energy bills by 20-30% while dramatically improving home comfort.
Call (708) 674-3600 for Free EstimateCommon Ductwork Problems in Evergreen Park Homes
Disconnected Duct Sections
Vibration, settling, and age cause duct connections to separate. This is especially common in Evergreen Park's older homes where ducts weren't originally sealed with mastic. Disconnected ducts dump 100% of conditioned air into unconditioned spaces. Homeowners often discover this only after a duct inspection—meanwhile wondering why certain rooms never heat or cool properly despite the HVAC running constantly.
Leaky Joints and Seams
Every connection point in your duct system is a potential leak source. Standard cloth duct tape deteriorates within 5-10 years, leaving gaps that leak air. Even small gaps at dozens of connections throughout your system add up to massive energy waste. Professional mastic sealing or Aeroseal technology creates permanent, airtight seals that last the life of your ductwork.
Crushed or Damaged Flex Duct
Flexible ductwork is common in Evergreen Park attics and crawl spaces. When stepped on, compressed by storage items, or improperly installed with sharp bends, flex duct becomes severely restricted or completely crushed. This creates massive airflow problems—your HVAC works harder while delivering less comfort. Damaged flex duct must be replaced, not repaired.
Poor Insulation on Ducts in Unconditioned Spaces
Ducts running through attics, crawl spaces, and garages lose tremendous amounts of energy through the duct walls themselves. Summer attics in Evergreen Park can reach 140-150°F—without proper insulation, your 55°F air conditioning warms to 75°F before reaching living spaces. Winter presents the opposite problem. Properly insulated ductwork (R-6 or R-8) dramatically reduces this temperature loss.
Undersized or Improperly Designed Duct Systems
Many older Evergreen Park homes have ductwork that was never properly sized for the square footage or HVAC system capacity. Additionally, home additions often receive inadequate ductwork—a single 6-inch duct trying to condition a 400 sq ft addition. No amount of sealing fixes design problems. Professional duct redesign or supplemental systems like mini-splits may be necessary.
Holes and Tears
Rodents, aging, and mechanical damage create holes in ductwork. Mice and rats frequently nest in duct insulation, chewing through the duct material itself. These holes not only leak conditioned air but can introduce allergens, dust, and contaminants into your air stream. Damaged sections require replacement rather than simple patching.
Signs You Need Ductwork Repair
Because most ductwork is hidden, problems often go unnoticed for years. Watch for these warning signs:
- Uneven temperatures: Some rooms always too hot or too cold regardless of thermostat setting
- Weak airflow: Little air coming from certain vents while others blow strongly
- High energy bills: Heating and cooling costs higher than similar-sized homes in Evergreen Park
- Excessive dust: Constant dust accumulation despite frequent cleaning
- Stuffy or uncomfortable air: Home feels humid in summer or dry in winter
- HVAC runs constantly: System runs continuously without reaching set temperature
- Whistling or rattling noises: Sounds from ductwork during HVAC operation
- Visible duct damage: Disconnected, crushed, or torn sections in accessible areas
- Hot or cold spots in attic/crawl space: Indicates conditioned air leaking into these areas
- Allergy or respiratory issues: Worsening when HVAC operates, suggesting contaminated ductwork
Our Comprehensive Ductwork Services
Professional Duct Inspection
Our thorough duct inspection identifies every problem in your system:
- Visual inspection: Examine all accessible ductwork in basements, attics, and crawl spaces
- Video inspection: Camera systems explore hidden duct sections
- Duct pressure testing: Measure total system leakage using specialized equipment
- Airflow measurement: Verify each vent receives proper CFM for its room size
- Temperature testing: Measure temperature drop/rise to detect duct losses
- Insulation assessment: Check R-value and condition of duct insulation
- Design evaluation: Verify duct sizing matches HVAC capacity and home needs
After inspection, we provide a detailed report showing exactly what's wrong, where energy is being wasted, and what repairs will deliver the best return on investment.
Professional Duct Sealing
Traditional Mastic Sealing
For accessible ductwork, we apply mastic sealant (a sticky, paintable substance) to all joints, seams, and connections. Unlike duct tape which fails within years, mastic creates permanent, flexible seals that withstand temperature changes and vibration. We also use metal-backed foil tape for specific applications.
Mastic sealing is ideal for: basement ductwork, exposed attic runs, accessible crawl space sections, and visible connections.
Aeroseal Duct Sealing
Aeroseal is revolutionary technology that seals ductwork from the inside—reaching every leak regardless of accessibility. We block all registers and introduce aerosol particles into your duct system. These particles seek out leaks and accumulate at gaps, building up until holes are sealed. Computer monitoring shows before-and-after leakage with exact percentages.
Aeroseal reaches: duct sections behind finished walls, inaccessible attic areas, buried crawl space ducts, and hidden connections impossible to reach manually.
Most Evergreen Park homes achieve 90-95% leak reduction with Aeroseal. While more expensive than traditional sealing ($1,500-$3,000), it's far more effective and typically pays for itself within 3-5 years through energy savings.
Duct Repair and Replacement
When ductwork is severely damaged, repair or replacement is necessary:
- Reconnecting separated sections: Secure disconnected ducts and seal properly
- Replacing crushed flex duct: Install new flexible ductwork with proper support
- Patching holes and tears: Repair small damage with professional patches and sealant
- Replacing corroded sections: Install new metal ductwork where rust has created failures
- Upgrading undersized ducts: Replace inadequate duct sizes with properly sized runs
- Redesigning poor layouts: Reconfigure ductwork for better performance
Duct Insulation Services
Adding or upgrading duct insulation prevents temperature loss in unconditioned spaces:
- Install R-6 or R-8 duct insulation on uninsulated ducts in attics and crawl spaces
- Replace damaged or compressed insulation
- Seal insulation seams to prevent air infiltration
- Wrap supply and return ducts for maximum efficiency
The ROI of Duct Repair and Sealing
Professional duct sealing is one of the highest-ROI home improvements you can make:
Energy Savings
According to Energy Star, properly sealed ductwork reduces heating and cooling costs by 20-30%. For the average Evergreen Park home spending $1,800 annually on HVAC energy, this means savings of $360-$540 per year. Traditional duct sealing ($300-$600) pays for itself within 1-2 years. Even expensive Aeroseal ($1,500-$3,000) pays for itself within 3-5 years.
Improved Comfort
Sealed ducts deliver the full amount of conditioned air to each room. Hot and cold spots disappear, humidity control improves, and your home reaches desired temperatures faster. This comfort improvement is impossible to quantify financially but dramatically enhances quality of life.
Extended HVAC Life
When ducts leak, your HVAC system runs longer to compensate for lost air. This extended runtime accelerates wear on compressors, blower motors, and other expensive components. Sealed ductwork reduces runtime, potentially extending system life by 3-5 years—a $5,000-$8,000 value in delayed replacement costs.
Better Indoor Air Quality
Leaky ducts in attics and crawl spaces suck in dust, insulation fibers, mold spores, and other contaminants. These pollutants circulate throughout your home every time the HVAC runs. Sealed ducts prevent this infiltration, significantly improving indoor air quality and reducing allergy and asthma symptoms.
DIY Duct Sealing vs. Professional Service
While homeowners can perform some basic duct sealing, professional service delivers far superior results:
| Aspect | DIY Sealing | Professional Sealing |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Only accessible areas (30-40% of leaks) | All ductwork including hidden areas (90-95% of leaks) |
| Materials | Often use improper duct tape | Professional mastic or Aeroseal technology |
| Testing | No measurement of results | Before/after testing shows exact improvement |
| Energy Savings | 5-10% improvement | 20-30% improvement |
| Durability | Often fails within 5 years | Lasts 20+ years |
Why Evergreen Park Homeowners Choose Us
- Comprehensive Inspection: We find every leak and problem in your system
- Advanced Technology: Aeroseal certification and professional-grade equipment
- Measurable Results: Before/after testing proves your investment
- Quality Materials: Professional mastic, foil tape, and insulation products
- Experienced Technicians: Decades of combined ductwork expertise
- Honest Recommendations: We'll tell you if duct sealing isn't your problem
- Warranty Protection: All work backed by our satisfaction guarantee
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my ductwork needs repair in Evergreen Park?
Signs include uneven heating or cooling between rooms, high energy bills, excessive dust, whistling or rattling noises from ducts, visible disconnected or damaged sections, and rooms that never reach comfortable temperatures. Professional duct inspection identifies hidden problems.
How much does ductwork repair cost?
Costs vary based on the extent of damage: sealing minor leaks costs $300-$600, repairing disconnected sections runs $400-$800, replacing damaged duct runs costs $600-$1,200, and whole-home duct sealing with Aeroseal costs $1,500-$3,000. We provide upfront pricing after inspection.
Can leaky ducts really waste that much energy?
Yes, absolutely. According to Energy Star, the typical home loses 20-30% of conditioned air through duct leaks. For Evergreen Park homeowners, this translates to $300-$600 in wasted energy annually. Professional duct sealing typically pays for itself within 3-5 years.
Should I seal my ducts myself or hire a professional?
You can seal accessible duct joints with mastic sealant, but most leaks occur in hidden areas like attics, crawl spaces, and wall cavities. Professional duct testing locates all leaks, and specialized sealing methods like Aeroseal reach inaccessible areas. DIY attempts typically miss 60-70% of leaks.
How long does ductwork repair take?
Simple repairs and accessible duct sealing take 3-6 hours. Extensive repairs or replacement of damaged sections may require 1-2 days. Aeroseal duct sealing typically takes 4-8 hours. We'll provide a time estimate based on your specific situation.
Related HVAC Services in Evergreen Park
Stop Wasting Energy Through Leaky Ducts
Professional duct inspection and sealing—proven energy savings and improved comfort.
Call (708) 674-3600 for Free EstimateServing Evergreen Park and SW Chicago suburbs with expert ductwork services.