I am wanting to convert my flex duct in my crawl space to metal duct. However, the duct at Lowes seems flimsy. I also am having in the summer condensation on my ductwork. I want to eliminate this.

Can I use the expanding spray can foam sealant or rubberized undercoating like you use on a car to spray the duct before installation, then wrap it with the duct wrap insulation to maximize the insulation value of the duct and to give the duct rigidity?

One last thing, can a person buy the professional spray insulation material and spray it themselves at home in the attic etc? I have a large air compressor and several spray guns? I would like to add some insulation myself, especially in the attic.

I really appreciate it!

On Tuesday, February 18, 2014 9:11:22 AM UTC-5, wrote:
I am wanting to convert my flex duct in my crawl space to metal duct. However, the duct at Lowes seems flimsy. I also am having in the summer condensation on my ductwork. I want to eliminate this.



Can I use the expanding spray can foam sealant or rubberized undercoating like you use on a car to spray the duct before installation, then wrap it with the duct wrap insulation to maximize the insulation value of the duct and to give the duct rigidity?


I don't know how you'd control the expanding foam so as to not have
a gigantic mess. And the rubberized stuff sounds like a big pain in
the ass for little gain. I wouldn't re-invent the wheel. The Lowes
material properly supported is probably fine. If you want heavier gauge,
go to an HVAC supply and they should have it.

This might be a project where if it has to be done, hiring pros might
be a better idea. I've done a little DIY duct work, but I wouldn't take
on this myself. Having the right tools, equipment, shop to make up
any necessary pieces, etc and the experience and this goes fast and
you get a pro job. DIY for a typical redo of a whole crawlspace duct
system, I would think is going to be a real pain in the ass and the
finished product, not so good.





One last thing, can a person buy the professional spray insulation material and spray it themselves at home in the attic etc? I have a large air compressor and several spray guns? I would like to add some insulation myself, especially in the attic.



I really appreciate it!

AFAIK, no. They have a truck with pumps, the material comes in 55 drums,
I think it gets heated, run through a special gun that mixes it, etc.

On Tuesday, February 18, 2014 8:11:22 AM UTC-6, wrote:
I am wanting to convert my flex duct in my crawl space to metal duct. However, the duct at Lowes seems flimsy. I also am having in the summer condensation on my ductwork. I want to eliminate this.



Can I use the expanding spray can foam sealant or rubberized undercoating like you use on a car to spray the duct before installation, then wrap it with the duct wrap insulation to maximize the insulation value of the duct and to give the duct rigidity?



One last thing, can a person buy the professional spray insulation material and spray it themselves at home in the attic etc? I have a large air compressor and several spray guns? I would like to add some insulation myself, especially in the attic.



I really appreciate it!

Part of what I want to do is make it where the insulation is "animal proof". I have cats that get under there for warmth and sometimes they claw at the insulation.

What I really wish I could find is something to slip over the ductwork like what they make for insulating pipes. (The black foam stuff.)

On Tuesday, February 18, 2014 11:20:57 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Tuesday, February 18, 2014 8:11:22 AM UTC-6, wrote:

I am wanting to convert my flex duct in my crawl space to metal duct. However, the duct at Lowes seems flimsy. I also am having in the summer condensation on my ductwork. I want to eliminate this.







Can I use the expanding spray can foam sealant or rubberized undercoating like you use on a car to spray the duct before installation, then wrap it with the duct wrap insulation to maximize the insulation value of the duct and to give the duct rigidity?







One last thing, can a person buy the professional spray insulation material and spray it themselves at home in the attic etc? I have a large air compressor and several spray guns? I would like to add some insulation myself, especially in the attic.







I really appreciate it!



Part of what I want to do is make it where the insulation is "animal proof". I have cats that get under there for warmth and sometimes they claw at the insulation.



What I really wish I could find is something to slip over the ductwork like what they make for insulating pipes. (The black foam stuff.)

They nake aluminum foil faced insulation for that purpose. The aluminum
foil faces out.

http://cfnewsads.thomasnet.com/image.../019/19284.jpg

I would think that would probably be left alone by the cats. At least as
much or more so than the black foam stuff.

Or how about obtaining a small shelter of some kind for the cats,
maybe you could even find something on craigslist that someone wants
to get rid of? Then keept them out of the crawlspace.

On Tue, 18 Feb 2014 06:11:22 -0800 (PST), wrote:

I am wanting to convert my flex duct in my crawl space to metal duct. However, the duct at Lowes seems flimsy. I also am having in the summer condensation on my ductwork. I want to eliminate this.

Can I use the expanding spray can foam sealant or rubberized undercoating like you use on a car to spray the duct before installation, then wrap it with the duct wrap insulation to maximize the insulation value of the duct and to give the duct rigidity?

One last thing, can a person buy the professional spray insulation material and spray it themselves at home in the attic etc? I have a large air compressor and several spray guns? I would like to add some insulation myself, especially in the attic.

I really appreciate it!
For the ductwoek, you want STEEL dunt, not aluminum - it is stiffer.
Then you want to put pipe wrap on it in a non-heated crawlspace -
AFTER you seal all the joints - usually with aluminum duct sealing
tape. No reason you couldn't spray the ductwork with bed-liner if you
want to toughen it up.

That flex "duct" should be totally outlawed for ANY use.

On Tuesday, February 18, 2014 11:57:02 AM UTC-6, wrote:
On Tue, 18 Feb 2014 06:11:22 -0800 (PST), wrote:



I am wanting to convert my flex duct in my crawl space to metal duct. However, the duct at Lowes seems flimsy. I also am having in the summer condensation on my ductwork. I want to eliminate this.



Can I use the expanding spray can foam sealant or rubberized undercoating like you use on a car to spray the duct before installation, then wrap it with the duct wrap insulation to maximize the insulation value of the duct and to give the duct rigidity?



One last thing, can a person buy the professional spray insulation material and spray it themselves at home in the attic etc? I have a large air compressor and several spray guns? I would like to add some insulation myself, especially in the attic.



I really appreciate it!

For the ductwoek, you want STEEL dunt, not aluminum - it is stiffer.

Then you want to put pipe wrap on it in a non-heated crawlspace -

AFTER you seal all the joints - usually with aluminum duct sealing

tape. No reason you couldn't spray the ductwork with bed-liner if you

want to toughen it up.



That flex "duct" should be totally outlawed for ANY use.

Any problem using bedliner material on it if the material says it is flammable?

posted for all of us...

And I know how to SNIP


On Tue, 18 Feb 2014 06:11:22 -0800 (PST), wrote:

I am wanting to convert my flex duct in my crawl space to metal duct. However, the duct at Lowes seems flimsy. I also am having in the summer condensation on my ductwork. I want to eliminate this.

Can I use the expanding spray can foam sealant or rubberized undercoating like you use on a car to spray the duct before installation, then wrap it with the duct wrap insulation to maximize the insulation value of the duct and to give the duct rigidity?

One last thing, can a person buy the professional spray insulation material and spray it themselves at home in the attic etc? I have a large air compressor and several spray guns? I would like to add some insulation myself, especially in the attic.

I really appreciate it!
For the ductwoek, you want STEEL dunt, not aluminum - it is stiffer.
Then you want to put pipe wrap on it in a non-heated crawlspace -
AFTER you seal all the joints - usually with aluminum duct sealing
tape. No reason you couldn't spray the ductwork with bed-liner if you
want to toughen it up.

That flex "duct" should be totally outlawed for ANY use.

AND it's only the beginning!

--
Tekkie

wrote:

One last thing, can a person buy the professional spray insulation material and spray it themselves at home in the attic etc?
I have a large air compressor and several spray guns? I would like to add some insulation myself, especially in the attic.

Yes, but you aren't going to do it with a spray gun. One supplier I've used is
TigerFoam: http://www.tigerfoam.com/

It's not as easy as it looks and you can really screw up your house if you foam
the wrong side of the vapor barrier, so you best be careful.

posted for all of us...

And I know how to SNIP


I am wanting to convert my flex duct in my crawl space to metal duct. However, the duct at Lowes seems flimsy. I also am having in the summer condensation on my ductwork. I want to eliminate this.
Good idea, the smooth metal duct will be easier to wipe down
with your microfiber cloth. Why did they put the cheap stuff in
to begin with? Weld some stiffeners to the Lowes duct. If you
get it at Home Cheapo you will have to pop rivet it.

Can I use the expanding spray can foam sealant or rubberized undercoating like you use on a car to spray the duct before installation, then wrap it with the duct wrap insulation to maximize the insulation value of the duct and to give the duct rigidity?
Use both! Apply some expanded metal to the duct for extra
"bite". How about the TV stuff where they make a boat from a
screen door? After application don't forget to whack it with a
5# sledge to reduce "tin-canning"

One last thing, can a person buy the professional spray insulation material and spray it themselves at home in the attic etc? I have a large air compressor and several spray guns? I would like to add some insulation myself, especially in the attic.
Sure, why not? Just buy a ski mask to protect yourself from the
safarcus.

I really appreciate it!
You are quite welcome! I enjoyed replying to a question that
has never been posted before in the anus of computing.


--
Tekkie

On Wed, 19 Feb 2014 20:21:39 -0500, Tekkie®
wrote:

Not today. I'm working on a progressive liberal, right now. One task
at a time. Thanks for asking.