Why attic ducts matter so much here
In most valley homes the ductwork runs through the attic, which can get far hotter than the outdoor air on a summer afternoon. Cold air traveling through that attic in a leaking or poorly insulated duct loses its chill before it reaches the vent. A disconnected run can dump cold air into the attic entirely, and a leak in the return side pulls hot, dusty attic air back into the system.
The symptoms look like an AC problem: rooms that will not cool, a system that runs constantly, high bills. That is why we check the ducts whenever a house underperforms, even after an AC repair or a new system.
Duct repair
Disconnected and crushed runs
Flexible duct can pull loose from its fittings or get crushed by storage, foot traffic or other trades working in the attic. We reconnect, strap and support runs so they stay put.
Leaking joints and seams
We seal joints and seams with mastic or approved tape, the kind that lasts in attic heat. Ordinary cloth duct tape dries out and fails in our climate.
Damaged insulation
Torn or compressed duct insulation lets the attic heat the air inside. Damaged sections are replaced or wrapped.
Return-side leaks
Sealing leaks on the return side keeps attic dust and heat out of the system, which helps both comfort and indoor air.
Duct and vent installation
We install new duct runs and vents for remodels, room additions and rooms that never got enough air. Sometimes a single undersized run or a poorly placed vent is the whole problem. When a house is getting a new system, we check whether the existing ducts are sized for it; putting a new AC on ducts that cannot carry the air leaves you with a noisy, underperforming system.
Where extending ductwork is impractical, a ductless mini-split may be the better answer.
Getting the most from your ducts
After repairs, keep up with filters and consider duct cleaning if there is visible buildup. A tune-up checks airflow and temperature split, which shows whether the ducts are delivering. We repair and install ducts in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Paradise and Boulder City.
Signs of duct problems
One or two rooms never cool
Often a disconnected or crushed run feeding that room, or a run that was undersized from the start.
Dust keeps coming back
A leaking return pulls attic dust into the system no matter how often you clean.
What duct repair involves
Most duct repair happens in the attic, so we schedule it for the cooler part of the day when possible. We start by finding the problem runs, often by feeling for air at joints and checking the airflow at each vent. Loose runs are reconnected and strapped, leaking joints are sealed, and damaged sections of flex duct or insulation are replaced. Afterward we measure airflow at the vents again so you can see the difference.
When the ducts are too small or badly laid out for the system, repair alone will not fix it. In that case we lay out the options for resizing, rerouting or adding a return, with prices.
Questions we hear a lot
How do I know if my ducts are leaking?
Rooms that cool poorly, a dusty house, high bills and a system that runs constantly are all signs. We can inspect the attic runs and show you what we find.
Can I just add more insulation to the attic?
Attic insulation helps, but it does not fix disconnected or leaking ducts. Sealing the ducts first gets more from both.
Is duct repair messy?
Most of the work happens in the attic. We protect the areas we pass through and clean up when we are done.
Will sealing my ducts make my AC quieter?
Often, yes. Leaks and loose connections can whistle or rattle, and a return that is too small makes the blower roar. Fixing leaks and adding return capacity where it is needed usually makes the system noticeably quieter as well as more effective.
Can you tell me if my ducts are the problem before I replace my AC?
Yes, and it is worth doing. We check the ducts for leaks, disconnections and size during a repair or estimate visit, so you do not spend money on a new system that the old ducts cannot support.