[wd263]

I moved into a new rental and while I was adjusting the ceiling diffusers I noticed the dampers are screwed directly into the duct. I didn’t think too much about this until I realized they are not in very straight, so the head of the screw isn’t flat against the duct. Can this cause leakage into the attic? I’m concerned the air is stirring up the insulation and it’s making its way into the duct and spreading into the house. All the upstairs diffusers are like this. I have attached an image for reference

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/124/3zxNn5.jpg

 

[wd263]

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/124/3zxNn5.jpg

image above

 

[kdean1]

That is the standard method of attaching them. Can you propose a method to attach the damper without using screws?

 

[STEVEusaPA]

If slightly not straight screws are the only thing wrong with your ductwork, you are way ahead of 90% of the systems out there.

 

[wd263]

That is the standard method of attaching them. Can you propose a method to attach the damper without using screws?

The dampers have screw holes to attach them to the ceiling. I guess i’m confused why those weren’t utilized vs screwing directly into the duct.

If slightly not straight screws are the only thing wrong with your ductwork, you are way ahead of 90% of the systems out there.

No necessarily the angle of the screw i’m worried about, but because the screw head isn’t flat against the damper, I can only assume there is a opening for air to leak into the attic and disturb the nearby blown in insulation. I’m just thinking the insulation could make it’s way into the duct like this and spray directly on the bed where my children sleep. Would removing the dampers and just applying foil tape to seal the holes be sufficient, or am I over thinking this?

 

[R600a]

It is required to be attached to the duct with screws. It should be sealed on the outside which would be in the Attic hopefully with mastic but tape is the more common thing in my area.

 

[wd263]

I took the register and damper off. There is some really old black tape wrapped around the elbow, but I can't imagine it's doing much anymore. Probably the original tape maybe 23 years old. Is it common for the space between the duct and the ceiling to just be open? There is about a 1/2in gap where I can just see straight into the attic

 

[R600a]

I took the register and damper off. There is some really old black tape wrapped around the elbow, but I can't imagine it's doing much anymore. Probably the original tape maybe 23 years old. Is it common for the space between the duct and the ceiling to just be open? There is about a 1/2in gap where I can just see straight into the attic

That's because you took out the damper which was what was taking up that space. However it doesn't sound like it was well sealed. Because it wouldn't have come out easily.

 

[jtrammel]

You’re overthinking this. That is the correct way to install that type of diffusers with damper.

The elbow should be sealed to the attic floor but 20 years ago it likely would not have been. Who am I kidding, it’s unlikely that it would have been sealed to the attic floor if it was installed 20 days ago.

 

[HVAC_Marc]

Looks fine to me