Duct Testing and Sealing in Gresham, OR

For homes in Gresham, OR, our IAQ duct testing and sealing services are the solution for finding and fixing leaks that waste valuable heated or cooled air. We use pressure-based testing methods, including CFM25 and leakage-to-outdoors measurements, along with tools like smoke pens and infrared cameras to accurately pinpoint problem areas. Our professional technicians then apply a remediation plan using certified sealing options, such as hand-applied mastic with UL-rated tape, aerosol sealing, and targeted mechanical repairs. This process culminates in verification tests that confirm the expected improvements in both energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

Duct Testing and Sealing in Gresham, OR

Keeping your home’s ductwork tight and clean is one of the highest‑impact improvements for both indoor air quality and energy efficiency in Gresham, OR. IAQ duct testing and sealing identifies where conditioned air is lost to attics, crawlspaces, and wall cavities, and then documents and repairs leaks so your heating and cooling run less, comfort evens out through the home, and airborne contaminants are reduced.

Why duct leakage matters in Gresham, OR

• Energy loss in a heating‑dominated climate: Gresham’s cool, wet winters make heating the primary driver of utility bills. Leaky ducts in unconditioned attics or crawlspaces dump warm air where it’s wasted, increasing run‑time and costs.
• Indoor air quality and moisture issues: Leaks pulling air from attics or crawlspaces can introduce dust, pollen, insulation fibers, pest debris, and moisture. In the Pacific Northwest, that moisture raises the risk of mold growth inside ducts and on nearby surfaces.
• Comfort and pressure imbalance: Uneven temperatures, cold rooms, or drafts are often caused by ducts that lose airflow before it reaches registers. Leakage can also create negative pressure in living spaces that pulls in unconditioned air and odors.
• Combustion safety: In homes with combustion appliances, leaky ducts can increase backdrafting risk by changing indoor pressures or pulling flue gases into living spaces.

Common IAQ duct testing issues in Gresham, OR homes

• Duct runs through unconditioned attics with missing or split joints
• Register boots disconnected from drywall or insulation
• Collars and boot connections not sealed or sealed with non‑rated cloth tape
• Older insulated flex duct with degraded vapor barriers and tears
• Return ducting that draws attic or crawlspace air into the system

How duct testing works (pressure‑based methods)

Pressure‑based duct testing is the industry standard for quantifying leakage and locating problem areas.

• Duct pressurization (CFM25): A calibrated fan (often called a Duct Blaster) is attached to the system and the ducts are pressurized or depressurized to 25 Pascals while register grilles are sealed. The test reports leakage in CFM25 (cubic feet per minute at 25 Pa). Lower CFM25 equals tighter ducts.
• House‑coupled test (leakage to outside): By running a building blower door and the duct blower together, testers can separate total duct leakage from leakage that goes directly to the outdoors (attic, crawlspace). This distinction matters for IAQ since leakage to outdoors pulls contaminants in.
• Diagnostic tools used during testing:
• Smoke pens or theatrical fog to visualize air leaks
• Infrared cameras to spot temperature differences along ducts and plenum
• Manometers to verify pressure differences and register flows

Interpreting results

• Results are given as CFM25 and, in more detailed reports, as leakage to the outdoors versus total leakage.
• Qualitatively:
• Low leakage: Ductwork with minimal air loss relative to system size — efficient and better for IAQ.
• Moderate leakage: Common in many homes; sealing can produce meaningful savings and comfort improvements.
• High leakage: Often hundreds of CFM25; significant energy savings and IAQ gains are possible when sealed.
• Many professionals measure improvements by percent reduction in CFM25 after sealing. Typical sealing projects reduce leakage by 50–90%, depending on access and condition.

Sealing options and pros/cons

• Hand‑applied mastic and foil tape (UL‑rated products)  
• Best for accessible seams, collars, and register boots. Mastic is a long‑lasting, flexible sealant that resists vibration. Use UL‑approved tapes and mastics rather than common “duct tape.”
• Pros: Durable, code‑accepted, inexpensive materials.  
• Cons: Labor intensive when many inaccessible leaks exist.
• Aerosol (pressurized) duct sealing  
• A fine sealant aerosol is introduced into the pressurized duct system where it deposits on leak edges and seals them automatically. Particularly useful when large portions of ductwork are inside sealed cavities or when access is limited.
• Pros: Can seal hundreds of small leaks that manual methods miss; fast and measurable results.  
• Cons: May not be appropriate where ducts contain hazardous materials or where major structural repairs are needed.
• Targeted repairs and replacement  
• Replace damaged flex runs, repair disconnected boots, add mechanical fasteners and sealed collars, and insulate ducts properly after sealing.
• Pros: Fixes major failure points; improves long‑term performance.  
• Cons: Higher cost when replacement is required.

Typical remediation plan for IAQ duct testing and sealing

1. Initial assessment: Visual inspection of accessible ducts, attic/crawlspace conditions, and combustion appliance locations.
2. Baseline testing: Perform pressure‑based test (CFM25) and a coupled blower‑door test to estimate leakage to outside.
3. Diagnostic mapping: Use smoke, infrared, and visual checks to identify high‑leak locations; document problem areas.
4. Sealing strategy: Prioritize leaks that pull air from attics/crawlspaces and all register/boot connections. Decide between manual mastic/foil and aerosol sealing based on access and leak profile.
5. Repairs and sealing: Execute sealing, repair torn insulation, reattach disconnected duct sections, and add insulation where needed.
6. Verification testing: Re‑run the duct test to quantify improvement and document final CFM25 and leakage‑to‑outside.
7. Recommendations: Address related issues such as airflow balancing, filter upgrades for IAQ, and ventilation improvements where needed.

Expected benefits and energy savings

• Energy savings: Most homes see measurable heating energy reductions after sealing. Typical reductions range from 10–20% of HVAC energy use, with higher savings (up to 30% or more) in very leaky systems.
• Comfort: Fewer cold spots, more even temperatures, and shorter run cycles.
• Improved IAQ: Less dust, fewer outdoor contaminants entering the supply air, and reduced moisture transport into conditioned spaces-important for mold prevention in Gresham’s humid winters.
• System longevity: Reduced HVAC runtime and improved airflow can extend equipment life and reduce maintenance needs.

Long‑term care and what to watch for

• Periodically inspect attic and crawlspace ducts for new tears, rodent damage, or insulation disturbance-especially after remodels or roof work.
• Maintain a high‑quality air filter and change it regularly to reduce particulate load on ducts and equipment.
• If ducts are routed through damp areas, verify insulation and consider improving attic/crawlspace air sealing to prevent moisture problems from recurring.

Sealing ducts is both an IAQ upgrade and an energy measure that pays dividends in Gresham homes where heating demand, attic duct runs, and seasonal moisture elevate the risks of air leakage and contaminants. A pressure‑based duct test gives you a measurable baseline and verification so you can see exactly how much leakage was removed and what that means for comfort and air quality.