I have to say, there's nothing like a cooling facial when entering an attic space.
Alright, it wasn't a really hot day, but very sunny and the attic space heated up nicely. The blast of cool air on my face was welcome!
Looking to my left I saw why.
The "brand new" HVAC system had a long trunk in the attic, and attached to it were many smaller ducts going off to each side to service the upstairs rooms.
It was well done, as far as design goes.
But in such a design the connections are very, very relevant, especially long term.
This service duct has only been attached a short while! How will the other ones act long term?
What's the basic problem?
See the metal teeth? That is a connector, designed to fit efficiently and firmly into the side of the metal service trunk.
Once that inter-locking connection is made, and then taped, the insulated duct can be attached. Usually those smaller ducts are attached with ratcheting nylon straps.
When well done, it is strong and long lasting.
The tape isn't used to connect. It is used to seal holes from leakage.
In this case, the teeth and trunk were never interlocked. The taped connection (and, wow, at least they used aluminum tape, NOT duct tape!) was not enough to handle air pressure and the whole thing popped off. I felt one more nearby and it was similarly taped. I could not feel the interlocking connection. I could feel tape!
Well, at least this attic won't be as hot in the summer and as cold in the winter as, oh, mine for instance! Unintended consequence, but at least there's some benefit here!
I'm joking of course. It's a
BIG BUMMER!
Now a PROFESSIONAL will have to get in there, remove all the connections, and do it right! How fun! I love attic spaces too!
My recommendation: it's the same old, same old. Just because it's new doesn't mean it is right. And how do we find out if it's right, class? Exactly! We call a home inspector. He will give you an objective and honest assessment.
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
well that's a big bummer.it's funny abt the 'upside' you pointed out...same thing was going through my head.lol.
J&R - if, and that's a BIG IF, a jurisdictional inspector goes into the attic space, no way would he feel the ducts to see if they are correct!
Debbie - well, try to see the silver lining! That's what I always say... ;>)
"Just because it's new doesn't mean it is right."
Fundamental!!
Lenn - this is the same home as the "small holes." Now you know a bit more! And they don't like me. Unfortunately for them, the one next to the scuttle hole popped! Had it been the one in the far corner I likely would not have found out!
Good morning Jay,
Besides being bad how much extra did they pay in energy cost to make your job easier in the attic?
Make yourself a great day.
This is a flip so those surprises were left to be discovered Raymond! Season by season! How fun!
Ah, flipper strikes again! I wonder at the level of competence of the contrators they use for their rehab.
Morning Jay congrats on the feature. Looks like Uncle Bob is at least using the right tape to get the job done. Enjoy the day
You never know what you're going to get when you walk into a home to take a listing or do an inspection. I really do believe sellers should get a pre-listing home inspection to avoid surprises after they are under agreement
You forget the snow clearing benfit of heating the attic. A real selling point.
Jay, At least it's now a cooler time of year for doing that work. Going in the attic is one of my least favorite things to do, especially during the summer. Bill
Jay, who ever thought you would go up in the attic. You weren't supposed to see that. They didn't take into consideration the blast of cold air. LOL
One of the many places that consumer really don't pay attention to....never used....it's "just there"....while checking the insulation levels...good idea to find out what else is up there !
Everyone once in a while, a good title pops up and if there is a picture and then decent copy...it produces a pleasant expereince. This is that post..thank you Jay
Hopefully you get to go back and check it after the repair. I can see the potential for a whole lot of tape.
Would have worked with more tape. You gotta run the tape vertically AND horizontally. Sometimes I use baling twine too.
The value of a good home inspector is almost too huge to mention.
Good point Jay. What's more, the owner thought they were getting their moneys' worth !
Jay -- at least they couldn't complain that these were just tiny, little holes, which weren't too important, and should be ignored! ;-) Have a fantastic weekend!
During a recent home inspection for my buyer, the inspector found a huge block of ice where there had been a leak and the cold air around it just caused it to complete freeze into a growing block. Thank god this was caught and fixed.
I never know what to expect when I open that attic door. Whether it is the Texas heat or cooler temperatures of winter inspecting the attic its an important part of the home inspection.
Good catch, but you sure weren't going to miss it. Tape never lasts under pressure. The lazy guys don't seem to know this.
Kathryn - that about says it all. And if everyone knew the entirety of this circumstance they might actually be surprised!
At least he is James! But in the wrong applications!
Doug - you are right about all of that. This case is a very special one though, one that I have not run into before.
Only a northerner would come up with that Jim! And I thank you! I will add this to my repertoire of comments when I see this next time!
Mine too Bliz, but I was especially thankfor for this wonderful benefit!
Mike - and it's fortunate for my clients that this break was where I would see and find it! Had it been in the far corner I would never have seen it.
S&D - a house is a system and it's best to be a generalist to see it all! Kind of like a doctor!
You're welcome Richie! Titles can be fun, or they can be an SEO benefit - or they can be both!
Rob - I was thinking of bringing my own with me for touch ups. Redskin colors will be best.
Tim - the twine is not in my bag, until now! Thanks for the tip!
Thanks Nan, and I know a bunch of inspectors who would agree with that!
Bill - looking forward to going back one day for a reinspection. We'll see if that happens!
Interesting you say that Steven. Same house!
Andrew - what in the world caused the freezing?
Carl - I am betting those attics get somewhat hot there! I had one last summer over 160F!
Robert - if it has broken here, where visible and feelable, what about elsewhere not yet discovered?
Interesting technique. You know, maybe ac in the attic space is a selling point?
Bummer that if it's new it isn't right. Shoddy workmanship which makes you question the entire system install now. I'd get the installers back to do it right.
As you say people assume that when it's new - it's good, it's better, it's best.
Hi Jay,
Never a dull day when we find things like this.
A simple oversight by the hvac tech and the report gets bigger.
When will they ever learn how to do things right/
Have a great day in Bristow and congrats on the FEATURED POST.
Best, Clint McKie
Great - I love Learning info from Inpspectors' posts here on AR. Not only for business, but for my own property! Thank you!
Wow, thinking something like that would cost a fortune in electric bills here in Arizona.
Goes to show that the owner should always check the work before signing off on it.
Hi Jay, our sympathies to you. We have gotten photos from our inspector and you could tell he was dying in the Florida heat in the attic.
Jay, that it's so not funny -
I'm always amazed when I go to home inspections at what they find. And why no one has noticed the problems before.
Having a list of good home inspectors is very important. And all homes, icluding new construction need to be inspected.
Maybe the builder likes home inspectors or was afraid of lawsuits. Afterall, he didn't want you to get heat stroke in the attic...
Thanks for the tips on what to look for. I love when inspectors share their experience and expertise.
Nothing like paying good money to cool your attic space, lol.
Jay, Got to love the HVAC guys. I had a fun one just yesterday with issues on main trunk line.
Jay, if only all inspectors were as knowledgeable, as you are! You teach us so much here in the Rain.
Jay, you do run into the most interesting problems. This one is scary - makes you wonder if anything that crew did was right.
The really sad part is if it hadn't separated before you got there it would have been your fault later when it did. "How could you have missed that, blah, blah........."
Gary - I think it is the next level. That unit heats too!
Lyn - and we all know what happens when we assume!
Clint - they do know. They try to get away with quick and easy.
It was considerate Margaret. Should I have left a thank you note?
I'm glad you do Travis! That's one of AR's many benefits.
No doubt Doreen. And it will lose heat in winter!
Cyndi - especially when the owner is the installer! We call that "busted!"
Bob - attics can be hard! I had one 165F last summer!
I have yet to see a system pass the new energy/building codes that didn't have all connections sealed with mastic. Duct tape is horrible, but aluminum tape will dry out the same way and often fail. When attaching flex to hard pipe, this means mastic under the duct itself and not on top of the insulation!
Dear Jay,
That is why we hire the likes of you to figure these things out. I am always amazed at the creativity of some contractors. Maybe these were Monday morning or Friday afternoon ducts.
Right Andrew. The tape is merely to seal gaps, not make attachments.
Dorte - I happen to know who the contractor is and they are this contractors' ducts!
Terkel - it isn't! And good thing the hole opened up where it did, because the space was such that I could not get everywhere!
Karen - this is newly installed and sure didn't last long! With reason. Great new photo, by the way.
Lynn - I couldn't agree more! And I like being the inspector!
Rafi - kind and considerate, for sure! Even in the winter - nobody should be too cold up there!
And I'm glad you do Rob! Stop by any time. I learn a lot on AR.
Justin - it's just another room after all. The biggest in the house, but just another room...
Don - did you crawl in to have a look? Photo, photo!
Sharon - the guys you read on the AR site surely are. I think there is a good collection of inspectors on this site.
Marte - and you have seen this SAME house lately in a couple of posts!
Marshall - you got that right! "It's right beside the attic entrance. How did you miss it??!!" I would have said that I couldn't have missed it!
Good job Jay...most homeowners never go up in the attic and if it wasn't caught on inspection it would have costed the new owners lots of wasted energy/money!
A lot of money for sure Goran! And they would have not known better, thinking their bills were normal.
Nothing like a comfortable work space. Just proves you should always get a home inspection.
I like a comfy work place Gene, and appreciated this very much!
Jay - Just be glad you weren't the one paying this guy's electricity bill. LOL
I am too Brad! Who knows how long this had gone on!