How Often Does Your Home Need Duct Sealing?

When it comes to keeping your home comfortable and energy-efficient, your HVAC system does a lot of the heavy lifting. But what many homeowners don’t realize is that the ductwork—the network of tubes that moves heated or cooled air throughout your home—can be quietly costing you money and comfort if it’s not properly sealed.

Here’s what you need to know about how often duct sealing should be done.

So, What Exactly Is Duct Sealing?

Think of duct sealing as patching the hidden cracks in your home’s airflow highways—keeping conditioned air where it belongs. Over time, these ducts can develop cracks or become disconnected, allowing conditioned air to escape into unconditioned spaces like attics, basements, or crawlspaces. This drains energy and hampers your HVAC system’s overall efficiency.

Duct sealing and duct cleaning serve entirely different purposes.  Cleaning removes dust and debris inside the ductwork, while sealing focuses on stopping air leaks. The most common sealing methods include:

• Mastic sealant: A thick paste applied to seal joints and gaps.
  
  
• Foil or metal tape: Special tape designed for long-term air sealing.
  
  
• Aerosol-based sealing: This method releases a fog-like mist into your ductwork that seals leaks internally.
  
  

What Makes Duct Sealing So Essential?

Sealing your ducts provides multiple benefits:

• Reduces energy waste: Leaky ducts can lose up to 30% of airflow, according to ENERGY STAR. That’s like throwing away 30 cents of every heating and cooling dollar.
  
  
• Improves comfort: Even air distribution means fewer hot or cold spots in your home.
  
  
• Protects air quality: Sealed ducts help prevent dust, allergens, and pollutants from being pulled into your airflow.
  
  
• Increases System Longevity: Minimizing wear and tear keeps your HVAC running smoothly for years to come.
  
  

How Frequently Should Your Air Ducts Be Sealed?

As a general guideline, it’s recommended to have your air ducts professionally sealed every 10 years. That said, certain situations may call for more frequent attention:

• Your home is 15–20+ years old and has never had the ducts sealed.
• You’ve done renovations or installed a new HVAC system recently.
• You’re noticing uneven temperatures or weak airflow in certain rooms.
• Your utility bills are climbing, but your usage habits haven’t changed.
• You see visible dust buildup or smell stale air from vents.
  
  

In many cases, an annual duct inspection can help identify leaks early and determine whether sealing is needed sooner.

What Affects How Often You Should Reseal?

Several factors can influence how frequently you need duct sealing:

• Age and material of your ductwork: Older systems are more prone to leaks.
  
  
• Previous sealing quality: DIY jobs or low-quality materials may not last 10 years.
  
  
• Environmental wear: Homes with rodents, high humidity, or frequent HVAC usage may experience more duct damage.
  
  
• Installation quality: Ducts that aren’t properly installed are more prone to disconnecting or degrading with use.

How to Know When Your Ductwork Needs Resealing

 Stay alert for these warning signals that it’s time to take action:

• Inconsistent temperatures from room to room
  
  
• A sudden spike in your heating or cooling costs
  
  
• Excess dust in the air or collecting near your vents
  
  
• Whistling, rattling, or other odd noises when your HVAC runs
  
  
• Your system seems to be working harder just to keep things comfortable
  
  

Noticing any of these? It’s probably a good time to book a professional ductwork inspection.

Why Trust a Professional for Duct Sealing?

Although DIY duct sealing kits are widely available, professional services offer a more durable and effective solution.

Here’s what sets the pros apart:

• Precision diagnostics: Pros use tools like pressure testing or thermal imaging to locate every leak.
  
  
• Higher quality materials: Long-lasting sealants mean fewer repeat visits.
  
  
• Backed by warranties: You get peace of mind and dependable performance.
  
  
• Safety and compliance: Professionals ensure that everything is sealed to code, especially around combustion appliances.
  
  

Let Lakeshore Handle Your Duct Sealing—Schedule Now!

You might not think about your air ducts often, but they have a major influence on how comfortable, efficient, and healthy your home feels. Sealing your ducts every 10 years—or sooner if needed—can reduce energy waste, eliminate drafts, and help your HVAC system run more efficiently.

Why wait until issues get worse? Let Lakeshore Air Duct Cleaning inspect and seal your ductwork so you can enjoy cleaner air, lower utility bills, and reliable comfort all year long. Start your journey toward a cleaner, more efficient home—get in touch now!