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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.