How to repair air ducts in slab foundation Once the hole is cut, the dirt is removed to expose the leaking pipes. We have lived in several homes with slabs but the duct work was always in the ceilings. drop Causes, Health Concerns, Repairs for wet air ducts. The Duct Armor ® patented process for duct restoration is non-invasive and eliminates the need to break up the foundation of your home or relocate the ductwork Repairing an air duct depends largely on the problem and how widespread it is across the entire ductwork system. Water in heating ducts is more common than you might imagine. Your instincts agree with mine. However, uninsulated ducts in the crawl space can lose up to 30% of their capacity, wasting your heating and cooling while No kidding. If you shut the water off at the main so the house has no water pressure you’ll be able to drain the ducts and see if they remain dry for an hour or two. We need to figure out how to safely and effectively abandon the current system, but were having some trouble finding knowledgeable contractors to do the job because we live in an area where slab on grade is very uncommon (southern Ontario). Air quality hazards of in-slab duct systems include rodent infestations in ductwork, dirt and debris accumulation which then is returned to the building indoor air or that serves as a breeding ground fo Are you facing issues with your air ducts in a slab foundation? In this detailed video, we will guide you throu The heating/cooling supply ducts are run in-slab to floor registers throughout the house with ceiling returns. Underground Air Duct problems If anyone has problems with underground air duct systems that have deteriorated, filled with water, or simply rusted out, I have a system that can repair them successfully. We installed a small pump with a float switch in the ductwork next to the furnace, and it has been doing a fairly decent job, but maintenance of the pump has been a continuing problem. This size fits just between most floor joists. Uptake gas furnace/air handler. The notion that you have to supply the heating air under a window is really old school, a vestigial feature of the days of leaky (or open) single pane windows. Hi, I just had my ducts cleaned (sort of) and discovered that the ductwork is rusted and crumbling in the portion of my house that is on a concrete slab. Is there a seam on the bottom? If so, I probably ruptured it. It’s also responsible for gathering warmer air in your environment, My home sits on a slab, I can only assume that the dry duct runs from the wall and under the house ( no crawl space. Valuables should be covered or removed. Trenchless Slab Leak Repair. We have done some initial research and it seems like there could be a lot of concerns with this. 5″ thick Dura-Foam roof layer. Any advice on how to clean and retrofit plastic ductwork into the space OR do we have to get Water was found in the ductwork and we are trying to find a company that can either repair it or, more likely, abandon, fill, and seal it for us. Air ducts are an aspect of your HVAC system that you barely ever see. Air Duct Leak Repair. The time it takes for a concrete slab foundation to dry is shorter. However, I need any and all ideas. There are several potential drawbacks to slab foundations. So ducts that are in the floor tend to be a little more effective in distributing heated air throughout a room. These houses are about 40 yrs old and built on concrete slab. It’s important to consider how you can fix that cracked foundation slab. Our sub-slab ductwork (sonotube and sheet metal, no transite) is in terrible condition, so were switching to mini splits. The house is about 20 yrs old, and is built on a slab foundation which I'm guessing has a few cracks, and it seems that if it rains for too long (a day or two), then water will build up in the ducts and won't recede until the ground around the house becomes less saturated. The size of your home dictates how much ductwork you have running through the space, with larger homes requiring more ducts to distribute conditioned air evenly. Then if you turn the water back on and it comes back you’ll know it’s a broken pipe. We guarantee all of our work to your satisfaction. In this case the duct would be embedded in the concrete slab with exterior grill through the perimeter foundation and still above grade. Installed in 70s. Also, moisture entering through leaks can lead to mold growth, 1. We are looking at a contemporary home built in 1982 that is on a slab. Signs of a Slab Leak. Fill the concrete hole so it is just below the floor level about 1/16 of and inch. Next use a floor leveling compound and a drywall trowel to smooth off the filled up hole and make the hole-filler smooth with existing floor. Trenchless plumbing repair to fix a slab leak requires minor demolition. I have been dealing with an odor problem for awhile but recently discovered a leak into my air ducts under my ktchen slab! I had a plummer run camera into duct and discovered standing water and bubbling water when kitchen sink was running. I am also trying to avoid having any ductwork (or other utilities) in my attic. ; Infrared Cameras: Thermal imaging to identify temperature change and location of leaks. Does anyone have any ideas on what can be done? Thanks, Eric Poor Indoor Air Quality. I've already started the digging and am going to have it waterproofed When your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is running, it relies on a network of ducts to deliver conditioned air to every room in your home. We have dealt with it temporarily by covering the whole area with tarp and duct tape, and have never had any water in the basement since then. A few more photos (just for fun) Here are a few more goodies we’ve found in sub-slab ductwork: Locate the air conditioning unit inside a slab foundation house if possible. This article series describes heating and air conditioning ducts that have been placed in or beneath concrete floor slabs. The houses I have built were low cost houses. Hard to locate the source of the drain moths with no crawl space or basement to inspect the sewer lines, but the moths do seem to travel through the floor ductwork popping out throughout the house. Although musty smell is always associated with moisture presence, eliminating it in some cases requires total redesigning of the forced air heating system. This method is typically employed in areas where it is impractical or impossible to install ducts through walls, ceilings, or attics. Structural engineers will have some “say” if you have all ducts together and it requires steel reinforcements being re-jigged, but a little bit of pragmatic pre-planning and dialogue will resolve this in a day. First, if that's the proposal then it's not apples-to-apples to compare it With 2″ diameter branch ducts and trunk ducts of maximum 4″ height, all ductwork can be embedded in 4″ thick insulation board, then encapsulated in a 1. audioron. Concrete slab foundations can develop cracks due for various reasons. It's in a bathroom and runs along the floor on a concrete slab between joists. Acoustic Listening Devices: Special equipment to listen for the sound of water leaks. If you JH Restoration, LLC - Foundation Repair Pros 68QM+XF Kansas City, Missouri 7501 NW 80 Terrace, Kansas City, Skip to content. Leaks in a slab foundation require costly foundation repair. Sometimes they see the water in the duct under their registers, or their ducts completely stop working because they are completely under water. We’re also doing a renovation (reference my previous post about issues with builder). We Best Air Duct Cleaning in Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 - Amber's Air Duct Cleaning, Safety King Air Duct Cleaning, Modernistic, Edmore Cleaners, S&M Improvment, Michigan Air Duct Cleaning, Peabody's Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning, Dustout Air Duct Cleaning and Carpet Cleaning, Complete Cleaning & Restoration, Duct Works Air Duct & Dryer Vent Cleaning We've lived in this house for 12 years and since the first year have had water collection in the in-slab air ducts (the down stairs ones) when there was a LOT of rain. Some houses built on top of concrete slabs have the heating and air conditioning ducts buried. Unfortunately, these duct systems are often less than perfect, losing 20 to Air Duct Sealing Cost Factors. What I am concerned with is how the ductwork will be JH Restoration – Complete Foundation Repair Pros near Country Club Plaza Missouri. There are two possible ways to solve this problem. Since some of the damaged ducts are right adjacent to where they’re installing new stuff, I asked them for an estimate to replace the damaged stuff while they’re down there. By following the steps There are companies that can use thermal imaging cameras to pinpoint "hot spots" in the floor where a duct might be broken, allowing you to cut into the slab at that point and These questions & answers about diagnosing & fixing problems traced to in-slab air ducts were posted originally at SLAB DUCTWORK - topic home . One final piece of info that may be helpful even if for testing purposes. This is basically the same as a basement, except that builders fill holes created to pour the foundation walls back up with dirt. During a heavy rainfall, I happened to glance into one of the air ducts and saw about 2-3 inches of water. Where is the best place to route ductwork, plumbing, electrical, and sewer if I am slab on grade? I wish The Airtight Construction team takes a look at how to determine if you need a post-tension slab, what installing one entails, and how to repair it once in place. The first is to keep your ducts I purchased a home in Maryland 6 months ago. ft. JH Restoration, LLC, has over 30 years experience in structural foundation and repairs. Or see these articles, books, & products about . Re: HVAC ducts under slab on grade foundation The slab may get water into it. Slab ductwork refers to the installation of HVAC ducts within the concrete slab foundation of a building. McComb, MS Slab Leak Services. & Air Conditioning Technicians. at SLAB Q. So, a slab foundation I have a three bedroom ranch with the duct work in the slab. A duct under a slab could easily become a difficult to service or repair water infiltration path or mold farm well before a building's lifecycle is up. When it comes to building or renovating a space with a concrete slab foundation, one important aspect that often gets overlooked is running ductwork for heating and cooling systems. They have been told that they need to replace all the ducts. The more humid it is in your home/ducts, the less efflorescence you may see. Another method for installing ductwork in a concrete slab is the use of a saw cutting technique. The entry of water into the foundation, basement, surfaces and pillars of your home can bring significantly detrimental results. I don't like it and miss the baseboard heat of my previous home. Does anyone know a company that can work with in-slab ductwork in NoVA? It must be deeper than the sub-slab ductwork. We guess it was considered cutting edge technology at the time, but now these old underground ducts are a liability for two reasons: Crawl space ducts are often easily neglected when someone is insulating the crawl space. You should also fix your roof or any cracks where water can enter after the rain by replacing the broken material or by using a filler. I have had 4 or 5 different people This method of foundation repair might seem a little out of place on this list, but water management is crucial to both foundation repair and prevention of further problems. Hopefully we’ve answered the question for you! Also, if you’re in the area, call our Lexington foundation repair contractors. III. The most common size duct used is 14-in. The air moves heat to fast to warm up the slab. Locating Slab Foundation Air Duct Access Points. Here is a picture of the hole: “The duct cleaning procedure in a Toronto area home starts with a visual inspection of your heating and air duct system. Does it make sense to blow air thru slab on grade to help cool the house? Would I use metal ducts or will pvc work? I have a HVAC contractor designing the geo system, but just wanted to ask this. His idea: first layer insulation, on top vapor barrier, than gravel with air pipes and on the end register like a normal air furnace, on top the concrete slab floor. If the pipes are not pressure tested you will have no way of knowing if they were damaged during the backfill process and you will be Under-floor-slab return air ducts were briefly popular in our North Florida area during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Best Practices for Cracked Slab Repair. If the issue persists, consider consulting a professional for further inspection and repairs. Can I simply seal off the duct at this register? Questions & answers about how to diagnose, repair, or abandon under-slab or in-slab heating or air conditioning ductwork. Going with underground lining solutions from Trenchless Innovations for your air duct repair can help your home or business in the Chicago area gain efficiency. I’ve had termites and currently have drain moths. I lift out the filter and there is a clay pipe which appears to be an additional return duct. The house is 50 yrs old. I lived in a town home with this system. Slabs homes are also more prone to insect problems. In these homes, the ducts are buried underground, Traditionally, air duct repair for underground air ducts has involved converting the HVAC ducts into an overhead system and abandons the ducts in the ground. Low water pressure: If your water pressure suddenly drops, it might be due to a leak in the pipes under your foundation. This is a problem that used to be remedied with digging up and replacing the duct system, or by abandoning it all-together and putting the Hello, I'm new to this forum and I was unable to reply to some of the other posts on this similar subject. It's noisy and blows the dust around. We had the ductwork scoped and it contained sand, rust, mold, termites, but it was in decent shape (nothing crushed/bulging). Visible cracks in the foundation: Cracks in your home’s foundation can indicate shifting or settling due to a slab leak. Here’s how to approach slab leak repair: Call a Professional Plumber. ga-hvac-tech liked this post Q: We have recently discovered that the air ducts in our slab are breaking down; and it was recommended that we consider rerouting the air ducts to the attic. These signs can serve as red flags, signaling you to take immediate action. posted 17 years The concept involves placing a shallow concrete foundation upon well- drained soils and constructing a building on the slab. Do not pour concrete over any pipe that has not been pressure tested. In this situation you need to avoid a beam. Fixing the pipe. Whether it starts out as tiny hairline cracks or it exposes itself as a giant chasm in your foundation, a cracked foundation slab is a serious concern. Residential Air Duct Repair In-Slab Ductwork. We will probably go with heat pumps, one system per floor. Fortunately, air duct sealing couldn’t be easier, and it requires less expense than the cost of replacing air ducts. I’ve been at places such as my church where I’ve seen the air supplies are inside the slab. I have worked with H2O floor heat and think it is much better for slabs then air duct. If Understanding Slab Ductwork. Mold and Mildew: Excess moisture can promote mold growth, which impacts indoor air quality and can lead to health Flooring is removed to expose the concrete slab, with ceramic tile being the exception. Put it on a separate concrete slab as an alternative, at the side or back of the house, adjacent to a closet or similar space that can be used for entry and return ducts. In the past, people usually think that slab foundation repair is a means of pouring some concrete into the foundation. I have galvanized air Air Duct Sealing DIY Video. Slab ductwork is commonly found in commercial buildings, warehouses, and some This technology is especially useful in air ducts located underneath homes built on a slab style foundation. Addressing these issues promptly through slab foundation repairs is vital to prevent further damage. He doesn't say how large in the article, but in other writings he's said 3-tons. Repairing air ducts in slab foundation is a crucial step in maintaining the integrity and energy efficiency of your home or building. You either have a water line leak or your slab ducts are taking on water after heavy rains. Able to see 1x4 t&g subfloor in mechanical closet and at doorway into kitchen (vinyl flooring). Maintaining a mobile home air duct in good condition is crucial for the health and comfort of its residents. Normal water does not only weaken your building structure, but helps bring about the development of mold and mildew. The duct work is crumbling and was wondering what my options were other then installing new duct work in It has been said that 30% of the HVAC systems energy is used pushing air through ducts. Feel it up and down and check for drafts that Warning. Q: I just discovered that the air ducts in my concrete slab have problems. Slab foundations are more frequent in warm-climate areas like Florida, where the ground is less prone to freeze and damage the foundation. My parents own a home about 40 years old and there is black mold coming from the a/c ducts. I too live in a ranch slab home with forced hot air heat, in NJ. now you’re basically living with a plastic bag over your house. Home; HVAC Discussions; Water in Air ducts - ducts in slab; Water in Air ducts - ducts in slab. Or HomeOwnersHub HOH. Identify rust in air vents, particularly if your system is showing signs of being rusted out. It is crucial to identify the root cause of the crack before proceeding with any repairs. Hello! I recently bought a home with 2 HVAC units, one recently replaced and one that is dead and needs to be replaced. duct work had breaks in it all over. Visible Cracks The Southern Air Mississippi team is committed to providing full plumbing services to all our customers, even if it means getting our hands dirty. My house is a concrete slab on grade and the ducts are round metal under the slab. The air ducts are built into the slab. Most homes have duct-work in the attic, crawl space or unfinished basement. JH Restoration LLC. People may have I have installed two cook top downdraft vent/ducting systems with great success but never in a slab. Part of the unit is inside and part is on the roof. By being aware of these common issues, you can ensure that your air ducts continue to function efficiently. They said it just kept coming. Advanced Air Duct Solutions, will clean out and coat your existing ductwork without jackhammers or adding a new furnace. Here’s how to seal holes or tears in ductwork: Locate Leaks: Turn on the HVAC fan and touch the ductwork. The entry of water into the foundation, Skip to content. In theory, the structure is placed such that no ground water and no surface water will affect the soils under the slab. It contains PVC materials instead of the cement-asbestos mix. And I’m just wondering, how would you know that water is coming up from the ground and saturating that Fill the duct register hole with the concrete and let it dry. Rodents in Ductwork . To repair a slab leak, you first have to find the source of the leak. Obviously, this means a lot of ripping and tearing, etc. My foundation is leaking in many places and needs waterproofing just like leaky basement walls. Code says it must be constructed with "rigid metal duct, having smooth interior with joints running in the direction of air flow. Slab Leaks,Slab Leak Slab Leak Detection Methods. We also do Brick repair as well as tuck Looked at a house yesterday built about 1950, single story, that ‘looked’ like a concrete foundation. Before you can fix a leaking pipe under your slab foundation, you need to recognize the signs that indicate you have a slab leak. Repair of Foundation Cracks. This could include addressing foundation settlement, cracks, or All slab leak repair recommendations are thoroughly explained and consider the quality and age of your home's foundation and pipes, as well as the material, and any and all local building codes. What should I look out for, take into consideration? There will also be a return from an HVR system in the Kitchen area. Lexington Foundation Repair Experts is happy to help explain how to repair a slab foundation. . I'm in the Chicagoland area and it appears to be an issue FAQs about Abandoning or Troubleshooting & Fixing HVAC air ducts in concrete floor slabs. We just had ducts cleaned too a couple months ago and they're already kinda dirty again. It is the most non-destructive method available, and it isn’t as costly as the traditional methods used to address sub-slab leaks. My question is, how do we repair a hole that is empty behind it? There is some sort of crawl space underneath the porch (porch is concrete). They were usually in upscale, midcentury modern homes. Slabs collect some heat from the sun through south-facing windows, often supplemented by radiant-floor heating systems that use a network of Hey all, so for context, our house was built in the 50's, on a slab foundation, with HVAC ducts running through it. This will then evaperate into the living space air as it warms up. When To Schedule Foundation Leak Detection. It is important to repair the cracks in the slab foundation but first, we need to pay attention to how the cracks develop. POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about the cause, detection, concerns and cures for wet, I finally found it after working with foundation people, plumbers, a/c techs -- nobody We've had our house since June, and we've now had water get (and stay) in the central air ducts twice. How on earth do I clean that duct out. An odor alerted me to standing water, debris and even a dead animal in the ducts below my floor. ). The illustrations of CPVC duct piping at page top and of PVC duct piping shown just above are adapted from Georg Fischer Harvel, a U. Ever worse, during heavy rain or snow melt the ducts filled up with water. What is a Post-Tension Slab? Post-tension concrete slabs contain high A contractor might need to clean the filters, remove clogs, or install new insulation, with varying costs depending on the repair type that must be done. Air registers for these small duct systems also sport low profile appeal with 2″ diameter round or 8″ wide thin-slotted apertures. In the past, relocating the air duct system into the attic space has been the only solution for many home owners until now. If you or your family members have experienced increased allergy symptoms or respiratory issues, damaged ductwork could be to blame. Any cracks can cause long-term problems and are more difficult to repair. How do I repair or replace it? The end of the run continues under a wall. Filled up so much that the downstairs ducts became essentially useless. Our inspector noted very little to no airflow from the ducts on the far side of the house in the owner's suite and bath. In other The only real issue with rising penetrations through a slab is if it’s a block and beam. Limited access to plumbing and wiring: Since there’s no crawl space, repairs or Lol silly Realize this was never really a problem back in the old days as the windows would flop around in the openings and the air movement and air changes in the home was enough so that you didn’t have a problem. Air quality hazards of in-slab duct systems: include water leaks into the duct system which can in turn generate a mold or bacterial hazard or can cause softening, collapse, and blockage of the in-slab transite pipe duct. Leaky air ducts significantly impact your home’s energy efficiency, increasing utility bills and reducing comfort. JH Restoration – Complete Foundation Repair Pros near Peculiar Missouri. Water supply pipes, sewer lines and ductwork are all run underground prior to the concrete placement. MARY: I’m looking to purchase a home that has a slab foundation. There are many ways of slab foundation repair. Furnace sits upon a wood return plenum, return is located to the left in the wall. Concrete floors with high thermal mass are often at the heart of passive solar designs. Forced hot air heat is uneven; it is either on or off. A cracked foundation slab can lead to very serious problems over time. Repairing Water Lines Copper Tubing is the most common type of pipe used for water lines under a slab foundation. Leaky air ducts is a recognized problem, especially in hard-to-reach or otherwise inaccessible spaces. In this article, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor and energy auditor Paul Scheckel demonstrate how to identify and repair leaks in air ducts, potentially saving homeowners up to 20% on heating and cooling costs. The typical cost range to seal HVAC ducts is so large because there are a variety of cost factors that influence the total. Ensure efficient HVAC systems. Detecting a leaking slab early is key to preventing extensive He proposes a large, central air handler with distribution ducts to each room. Someone decided to run 4" PVC under the slab for the dryer vent. offers the following services: Residential and commercial air duct cleaning, in-slab air duct coating featuring the patented Duct Armor product, and dryer vent cleaning and repairs. HVAC inspector called me to see what I thought. The slurry material flows and fills every little space, permeating even the smallest pockets of air. Home’s Square Footage. If the ducts are not properly sealed, they are stealing money from you every day. Finally, with Rainforest's Up-Front Guarantee Learn how to prepare, options for slab installation, challenges in concrete, best practices, and benefits of proper ductwork installation. Use space in an existing utility or laundry room or a large closet, preferably near the center of the house. Your slab foundation is like a sponge. Replacing underground air ducts used to be a major repair that would cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars along with including down into the slab below your building—all without tearing apart your walls or jackhammering open your foundation! Book a service call. 2’ What Do Air Ducts Do? Your air ducts are the veins of your HVAC system, carrying cool air through the ducts and out the supply air vents in your home. They live in a townhome with no attic or basement or crawlspace of any kind. Members Online. Walking over it, could feel firmer/softer places. This week: Is there any way to reline or replace metal heat ducts under a concrete slab floor without tearing up the floor? We had our ducts commercially cleaned five years ago, when we were FAQs on HVAC air ducts in concrete floor slabs. Your contractor will only need to create access holes to do the slab leak repair. The Water and/or moisture; Erosional and unstable dirt; Your slab again; Critters; PRO #1: So one of the pros of filling voids with mud-pumping is that it takes up that empty space and prevents those areas from getting filled with something less desirable. Cracks in a concrete slab foundation can occur due to various I stumbled off of a step ladder and crushed this ductwork. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of a slab foundation. Although transite ductwork was obviously popular in the 1960s and 1970s, most of the sub-slab ductwork used today is not the same. HVAC ductwork repair costs $200 to $700 for minor leaks. Our process requires no demolition for the full restoration of rusty ducts. With this in mind, air duct repairs can range incost from $175 to $2,000. Less moisture directed toward your slab leaves less moisture under your slab to carry those white powdery salts into your ductwork. However, due to how some HVAC contractors using the words “sub-slab” and “transite” interchangeably, you might find that some clients unnecessarily fear they’re Structural Repairs: In cases where the sticking out cables are a symptom of more significant structural issues, additional repairs may be necessary. Air ducts are all in ground. FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS. x 24-in. Hydrostatic Testing: Pressure test that evaluates the integrity of a pipeline and detects leaks. 3000 sq. By following the steps outlined in this article, I want to fill in, or otherwise seal off, the slab-duct and register in this room so I can tile over it. All the HVAC companies we've contacted don't do in-slab ductwork and all the concrete companies don't do ductwork. The house is on a lake, and during certain times of year rising ground water enters the ducts. These solutions help manage the dirt’s moisture level, reducing the stress on the foundation. Fixing them is a fools errand. We spray a latex-based liner material into the ductwork with a live video and most homes can be completed in one day. You may see them on the occasional Air Ducts 101. ” How to fix rusted ductwork? If you’re dealing with rusted HVAC ducts, follow these steps for effective rust removal and repair. There is alot of dust (concrete?) in the ductwork and the cleaners could not get it out. Next to soil stabilization, poor or nonexistent water management is the leading cause of foundation problems among homeowners. Below I have included a how to video to help you Looked at a house yesterday built about 1950, single story, that ‘looked’ like a concrete foundation. Post Likes - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes. The house is a ranch on slab and the foundation is 3-4 feet deep in the ground. These questions & answers about diagnosing & fixing problems traced to in-slab air ducts were posted originally . Here are two common issues you’ll face when you have to fix your slab foundation. Slab foundations are made up of a concrete slab that is typically 6 to 8 inches thick. The ductwork looks like it's galvanized. ; Fiber Optic Cameras: Visual These questions & answers about using PVC or CPVC residential in-slab air ducts were posted originally . Since slab leaks occur under the foundation of your home, they’re not easily accessible. Bugs frequently came up from there. Air Duct Leakage Pros Cons; Cost-effective: Less material and labor compared to basements or crawl spaces. Global impacts such as radioactivity, bad smells, heavy rains, fungus, bugs, and asbestos particle pollutants where transit – concrete insulation – pipework was used encourage a remarkably broad range of housing difficulties All of my HVAC work is done the typical way using ducts and I’ve not had to bury any supply ducts in concrete. Adding a vent to existing ductwork costs $250 to $500. Duct Armor is perfect for ductwork located under the slab. The air intake is from the top of the cathedral ceiling and blown constantly with a low speed fan to circulate under the concrete floor. Shouldnt cost you more then 20 if that. Climate limitations: Not ideal for areas with freezing temperatures as frost heave can crack the slab. For detailed Amistee Air Duct Cleaning & Insulation is here to help provide a solution to all of these problems. On the interior, the hardwood flooring squeaked. Around that time, I 2. Sides of foundation looked good, no cracking visible, etc. A slab on grade home is in our experience the cheapest way to get started on a very durable and energy efficient home. Be sure to see the in-slab ductwork description, problem identification and solutions described there. After pinpointing the location of the leak with sound detectors and tiny video cameras, our slab leak repair experts in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico can discuss options with you and arrive at a solution that fits both your circumstances and budget. The slab is a thermo mass and it needs conductivity to warm up. Our team will work quickly to repair the leak and do everything to return your plumbing to its proper function. Slab repair creates a lot of dust. Ask the Builder. Increased Repair Costs: The longer a slab leak goes undetected, the more costly the repair will be. Southern Air Mississippi is here for all your slab concerns. What are the advantages-disadvantages of having air ducts in the floor versus overhead? Also we have heard that there are now several companies that can coat the inside of your air ducts in the floor with SLAB DUCTWORK - catalogs the functional and environmental problems found when HVAC air ducts are routed in or below floor slabs. Repairing slab foundation cracks may seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach and tools, it can be a manageable DIY project. Air Duct Re-Lining Here’s a couple of ways to prevent water from getting into your air vents in future. Yes. Durable: Strong resistance to mold, mildew, pest damage, and passage of time. Here are some common symptoms of a leak under the foundation: 1. producer of PVC and CPVC duct piping in Easton PA. Occasionally, we need to access the ducts between the floors to improve the airflow. Homeowners pay between $450 and $2,000 to Slab Leak Repairs. (garden hose down through a vent opening) Because these ducts are in my foundation slab, I can't look at them. Here are two common issues youll face when you have to fix your slab foundation. This can be a time-consuming process, but it is effective in providing a secure foundation for the ductwork. FOUNDATION CRACK DICTIONARY. Long term, I want to do quit using all of my in-slab ducts. air passing under the home's slab and through the attic duct work), the underground portion is composed of various materials - galvanized metal, cardboard sonotube, PVC pipe, or a combination of these. S. Our process will eliminate dirt, mold and bacteria in your air duct system. And when I went in, I kind of smelled a musty, mildew-y odor. How much does duct repair cost? Air duct replacement costs $25 to $55 per linear foot or $270 to $500 per duct. 0. Repair You can watch the water come through and fall down to the return like a waterfall during a downpour. " What do you think of PVC since it's under a concrete slab? When the piping in your foundation slab begins leaking, homeowners deal with a slab leak. With no room in the attic for ductwork, I had to abandon the slab duct system and put minisplits throughout the house. I am looking at building a slab-on-grade house. We have reviewed approximately all methods of slab foundation repair there. -There's a lot of chalky stuff blowing out of the two most rusted vents. According to foundation repair experts, slab foundation repair costs between $2,000 and $7,500, with a national average of $4,500. You’ll need a professional plumber with experience in slab leak repair to locate and fix the issue. For minor isolated mid-slab leaks, inexpensive concrete grout or hydraulic cement injections run a few hundred bucks. I live in Nashville TN. Water flooding the ductwork is most likely to occur in slab foundations, but I Regarding slab foundations know that in most parts of the country and the world, slab foundations have foundation walls going down to undisturbed soil and going below the local frost line. Air handlers will most likely be in the garage or inside closets. One return air duct was located in entry hall near center of house, but in examination, the ducting traveled down appx. Duct sealing costs $400 to $2,700. We offer free leak testing to determine scope. It was awful. I have a newly licensed plummer in our church and would like to do demo my self with him and need In-Slab & Inground Air Duct Restoration & Repair. Here are several ways to access ducts: Add a False Return Grille Cut an access hole in the ceiling of the first floor in a central area to gain access to the ducts. Relining ducts under concrete slab. Once you’re prepared for reviving your slab foundation air ducts, it’s vital to locate their access points within your home’s interior spaces. In some cases, we’ll be able to reroute the piping around the problem and establish a more accessible line in the process. It is essential to recognize the warning signs that indicate the need for slab foundation repairs. Reply . If you are not a member of the trade, please post in our Q&A sub, r/hvacadvice. But now, this term is not confused as such but is well introduced by everyone, even by a simple street boy. We also do Brick repair as well as tuck I'm getting water leaking into my ducts when there is a good thaw or a heavy rain. We can save you time, MONEY, and the hassle of destroying your Repairing air ducts in a slab foundation can be a challenging task, but it’s essential for maintaining a healthy and energy-efficient indoor environment. When you have a counter-flow A/C system (i. Foundation One common method is to use a trenching technique, where a narrow trench is dug into the concrete slab to accommodate the ductwork. Did they insulate ductwork with asbestos in slab foundations in 1985? I'm worried the metal has corroded and the powdery stuff blowing in is coming from foundation/insulation around ducts. We offer 1974 home, built-up slab. Thanks for the input. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of identifying and fixing leaking pipes under a slab foundation. e. For leaks, you should find the issue, for example for a burst pipe repair it either by replacing or fixing the pipe. How does one do this? It makes this loud gurgling sound if the heat or air is on w water in the ducts. Soil movement, tree roots can lead to cracks in the slab. at SLAB DUCTWORK - topic home. Leaky ducts can allow allergens, dust, and other contaminants to enter your home’s air supply, which can reduce the overall quality of the indoor air. "Cootie" is a catch-all for all such cases, whether rational or not. Martin Holladay, editor of Green Building Advisor, responds: The most likely explanation for the water in your ducts is that warm interior air is entering the ducts during the winter, and the moisture in the air is condensing on the interior of the cold ductwork. Severe foundation problems can run you up to $15,000 to $25,000 . You spray deodorant and it’s there for four hours or more. All the main ducts will be below ceiling in living space. You’ll POLYURETHANE FOAM INJECTION CRACK REPAIRS. A. Remember, taking precautions is crucial when dealing with potentially hazardous situations such as repairing your air ducts. The average cost for air duct leak repairs is between $350 and $650. 2 REPAIR OPTIONS The type of repair depends on: The cause of the problem The need to maintain service of the Structure during repairs Whether the repair is to a beam, slab, or other struc- tural member Other factors, such as budget The following sections discuss some of the options for repair and replacement of post-tensioning tendons. Be sure to see the in-slab ductwork description, problem identification Your in-slab ductwork is full of rust and maybe even gaps or holes. The house will most likely be concrete block construction for the 1st floor and 2x6 wood construction for the 2nd floor. According to the US Department of Energy, between 10-50% of conditioned air is lost during transit through the air ducts. But I”m not familiar with the construction technique used to accomplish this and I am sure this is a common practice. Foundation Repairs Guide to Shrinkage Cracks in Poured Concrete Slabs. Contractors inspect the ducts to find the leak’s source and seal the area to stop air from escaping. When you start getting ground water in the ducts you basically have 4 options 1: Abandon the ducts in the slab and run ducts in the walls/attic if at all possible. Concrete Slab Foundations Have These 5 Benefits Drying Time Is Shorter. Had a rat issue and they destroyed a number of ducts, stealing the insulation. Builder with a slab-on-grade floor. there is a large pipe that exits the house on the outside where the cap is located. hese questions & answers about diagnosing & fixing problems traced to in-slab air ducts were posted originally . Business owners and home owners are spending a great deal of money to purchase Energy Star Rated furnaces and air We are in the planning stages of building a new 2-story home in Florida. We put in a forced-air heating system, and the hvac contractor ran the ducts under the slab. The best solution to this problem would be to seal up your slab ducts with poured concrete, build new ducts, and then focus on waterproofing your foundation perimeter. Problem #2: when it rains, water gets under your slab--and floods the ducts! This means you have very poor drainage and a high water table. My duct professional (hvac guy) said I'd have to be clever because there isn't a real 'fix'. Optimizing Your Mobile Home Air Duct. The density of concrete helps it store thermal energy and helps to reduce uncomfortable swings in indoor temperatures. Power tools battery warning Musty smell from heating system air ducts could have many sources. The takeaway is, If you paint an air handler with smelly paint, your house will smell for awhile. The house then However some truly do have compromised immune systems or multiple chemical sensitivity (unfortunately, that is a real thing, one of several new epidemics). One return air duct To mitigate the impact of Houston’s clay soil on foundations, measures like proper drainage systems and soil treatment can be implemented. Contact options for registered users. Ground moisture, mold, foundation debris, and insects are coming in, and heated or cooled air is going out through those holes and gaps; destroying airflow in the process. The second step requires encapsulation or lining of the ductwork. This particular case applies to the houses with a forced air heating system metal air ducts embedded into the concrete slab (scroll to the bottom Heating systems are ducting in-floor slab: the article discusses heating or air conditioning ductwork installed in or under a concrete block. Install Central Air Conditioning in a House Built on a Slab Foundation - Locate the air conditioning unit inside a slab foundation house if possible. Someone somewhere must have experienced this before. But fixing piping breaches underneath or rerouting drain lines out from underneath slabs comes nearer $2,000. Secret Symptoms Of Air Duct Repair. It is now the size of a peach. Leaks commonly occur due to cracks or gaps in the ducts, allowing air to escape and making the entire system less efficient. Now that you have gathered all the tools and materials, you are ready to move on to the step-by-step guide to repairing slab foundation cracks. I'm looking for feedback on others who have run into the issue of in-slab ductwork that's getting water in it from the ground around the house (presumably from the water table rising after it rains/snow melts). I agree with you that a radiant heated slab floor would be much more comfortable than any other heating system. Post Post New Question. Step-by-Step Guide to Repairing Slab Foundation Cracks. No job is too small or too big for us. This article series discusses concrete cracking in slabs, walls, floors, and foundations, and describes the types of cracks that occur in poured ("placed concrete" by some experts) walls, slabs or floors and explains the risks associated with each, thus assisting in deciding what types of repair may be needed. My house has in-slab ducts that started having the same problem after any rain over 4" (which happens more & more now). Common risks of slab leaks include: Foundation Damage: Water from leaks can erode the soil, leading to foundation shifts or cracks. Forced air through ducts in the slab which heat unevenly. Cheapest option but will be least effective at heating/cooling the space 2: Remove the floor, cut concrete, and replace leaking duct with new PVC ducts. Normal water can also mess up Advanced Air Duct Solutions, Inc. It won’t fix water intrusion, but it should eliminate any air quality concerns, and it’s far less expensive than abandonment. Signs Your Slab Foundation Needs Repair. It doesn't look There are several potential drawbacks to slab foundations. mydv ifh nlpwxp emlrq txrbb lqogge ohicoqlo vwun ynnd fxub