Duct Tape on Duct Work?

I think we can all agree that duct tape has a million and one uses, right? Some uses are fairly common while others, well... not so much. This wonderful invention helps people everyday whether it is being used to simply hold things together or to make a fashion statement. That's right, I said it, fashion statement. Duct tape no longer comes in one or two shades but instead many colors as well as designs and is being used to make items like wallets, handbags and even jewelry. More important uses of the tape can even be found in outer space. According to NASA engineer, Jerry Woodfill, duct tape has been on every mission since the first Gemini launch and has been used in various ways to make repairs that have even helped save lives. So with a million and one uses for duct tape why is it NOT recommended for duct work? It has the word "duct" in it so it was obviously made for use on duct work, right? WRONG!

The first use of the name "duck tape" dates back to the 1800's. "Duck tape" was long strips of plain cotton duck cloth which was used to decorate clothing, make shoes stronger and even wrap steel cables or electrical conductors to prevent them from corrosion or wear. The first use of duct tape as we know it was for military purposes and created by Johnson & Johnson. According to them the idea came from an ordnance-factory worker and mother of two Navy sailors - Vesta Stoudt. She worried that problems with ammunition-box seals could cause soldiers precious time during battle. Vesta wrote to president Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943 with the idea which was forwarded to the War Production Board who put Johnson & Johnson in charge of creating it. Originally produced in the army-standard matte olive color, the soldiers nicknamed it "duck tape". Many theories on how it got its name range from having waterproof qualities like a duck, the descendant relation to cotton duck fabric and even the DUKW, pronounced "duck", an amphibious military vehicle created in 1942. No matter how it earned it's name, duct tape has become a staple for many homes as the go-to fix-it-all.

When put to the test against 31 other sealants on duct work researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that during their 3 month experiment duct tape would either allow too much air to escape or it would just fall off after a few weeks or months. Their conclusion was that the heat traveling through the ducts degrades the glue and renders it useless. Duct tape is not only NOT recommended for use on ducts but has actually been banned for use on ducts in most areas of the U.S. Common duct tape does not carry any certifications which means the tape may burn violently, producing toxic smoke which may cause ingestion and contact toxicity.

If the ducts in your home are "sealed" with duct tape it is time to call Dr. Energy Saver Delmarva. We offer various, safe and effective ways to seal your home's duct work resulting in a more comfortable home, better indoor air quality and lower energy bills.