Blocked HVAC duct
 

I have a HVAC duct that is almost totally blocked. It has
been this way since my home was constructed. I suspect a crimped vent
or trash in the vent. The problem is the obstruction appears to be a
good distance away from either end. I have easy access from the
basement and from the second floor outlet. In between those is a long
run with several 90º elbows.

I don't want to start tearing up floors and walls to correct
the problem. I am looking or suggestions. I was thinking of a camera
that could be snaked through the vent. Since I don't know which way
some of the turns may be just snaking a standard snake would not
likely be really helpful

Suggestions? Sources for a rent a camera?

Blocked HVAC duct
 

wrote in message
...
I have a HVAC duct that is almost totally blocked. It has
been this way since my home was constructed. I suspect a crimped vent
or trash in the vent. The problem is the obstruction appears to be a
good distance away from either end. I have easy access from the
basement and from the second floor outlet. In between those is a long
run with several 90º elbows.

I don't want to start tearing up floors and walls to correct
the problem. I am looking or suggestions. I was thinking of a camera
that could be snaked through the vent. Since I don't know which way
some of the turns may be just snaking a standard snake would not
likely be really helpful

Suggestions? Sources for a rent a camera?

Long run, several elbows and if it takes off from the lower pressure side of
the plenum might be perfectly normal.

Not all discharge vents have equal air flow.

You might be able to rent a sewer cam from a rental store. I think I saw
one in a Harbor Freight ad a while back.

Blocked HVAC duct
 

Blocked HVAC duct
 

On Feb 27, 8:48*am, Kevin Ricks wrote:
wrote:
* *I have a HVAC duct that is almost totally blocked. *It has
been this way since my home was constructed. *I suspect a crimped vent
or trash in the vent. * The problem is the obstruction appears to be a
good distance away from either end. *I have easy access from the
basement and from the second floor outlet. *In between those is a long
run with several 90º elbows. *

* *I don't want to start tearing up floors and walls to correct
the problem. * I am looking or suggestions. I was thinking of a camera
that could be snaked through the vent. *Since I don't know which way
some of the turns may be just snaking a standard snake would not
likely be really helpful

* *Suggestions? *Sources for a rent a camera? *

Are you sure there is not a damper installed in the duct?
My system has dampers on all ducts located near the furnace at the main
plenum. Look for a small handle sticking out he side of the duct(s).

Kevin


I'd try the local tool rental shops for a camera. Or take a look
online. There are cheap cameras you can hook to a notebook PC. You
might be able to use one of those connected to a snake with a
penlight, etc.

If it's a small duct, It's also possible that with multiple 90 turns
and a long run, the duct isn't blocked, it just can't carry much air.

Blocked HVAC duct
 

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:48:23 -0800, Kevin Ricks
wrote:

wrote:
I have a HVAC duct that is almost totally blocked. It has
been this way since my home was constructed. I suspect a crimped vent
or trash in the vent. The problem is the obstruction appears to be a
good distance away from either end. I have easy access from the
basement and from the second floor outlet. In between those is a long
run with several 90º elbows.

I don't want to start tearing up floors and walls to correct
the problem. I am looking or suggestions. I was thinking of a camera
that could be snaked through the vent. Since I don't know which way
some of the turns may be just snaking a standard snake would not
likely be really helpful

Suggestions? Sources for a rent a camera?

Are you sure there is not a damper installed in the duct?
My system has dampers on all ducts located near the furnace at the main
plenum. Look for a small handle sticking out he side of the duct(s).

Kevin

Yes there is a damper and I have verified that it is fully
open.

Blocked HVAC duct
 

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:06:15 -0800 (PST), wrote:

On Feb 27, 8:48*am, Kevin Ricks wrote:
wrote:
* *I have a HVAC duct that is almost totally blocked. *It has
been this way since my home was constructed. *I suspect a crimped vent
or trash in the vent. * The problem is the obstruction appears to be a
good distance away from either end. *I have easy access from the
basement and from the second floor outlet. *In between those is a long
run with several 90º elbows. *

* *I don't want to start tearing up floors and walls to correct
the problem. * I am looking or suggestions. I was thinking of a camera
that could be snaked through the vent. *Since I don't know which way
some of the turns may be just snaking a standard snake would not
likely be really helpful

* *Suggestions? *Sources for a rent a camera? *

Are you sure there is not a damper installed in the duct?
My system has dampers on all ducts located near the furnace at the main
plenum. Look for a small handle sticking out he side of the duct(s).

Kevin


I'd try the local tool rental shops for a camera. Or take a look
online. There are cheap cameras you can hook to a notebook PC. You
might be able to use one of those connected to a snake with a
penlight, etc.

I have considered that, but they all appear to be USB
connected and USB does not do will with long cords.


If it's a small duct, It's also possible that with multiple 90 turns
and a long run, the duct isn't blocked, it just can't carry much air.

Blocked HVAC duct
 

On Feb 27, 1:39*pm, wrote:

return "ducts" are sometimes formed by the space between the 2x4's and
sheetrock, no actual ducting is used...


I wish that were the case here. It's just an empty cavity bordered by
the top plate, the bottom plate, and two studs. Stuck my head in and
looked. And, yes, the HVAC performance on that floor is not very
good.

Blocked HVAC duct
 

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:32:42 -0500, "John Grabowski"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
I have a HVAC duct that is almost totally blocked. It has
been this way since my home was constructed. I suspect a crimped vent
or trash in the vent. The problem is the obstruction appears to be a
good distance away from either end. I have easy access from the
basement and from the second floor outlet. In between those is a long
run with several 90º elbows.

I don't want to start tearing up floors and walls to correct
the problem. I am looking or suggestions. I was thinking of a camera
that could be snaked through the vent. Since I don't know which way
some of the turns may be just snaking a standard snake would not
likely be really helpful

Suggestions? Sources for a rent a camera?


*When doing some remodeling on homes, townhouses and condos I occasionally
notice that some ducts from the original construction are sometimes a little
crushed. However what I find more often is that duct connections are
separated.

Good point. I don't know why I did not think if it myself I
have seen it more than once.

Some of them were just shoved together without screws or foil
tape and they came apart for whatever reason. Sometimes in attics I see
flex ducts that are flattened from tradespeople and homeowners climbing over
them. I have also seen flex ducts that have holes chewed in them from
rodents.

Check out plumbing supply companies. You may find one that rents a camera
or perhaps they can refer you to a company that does.