Duct sealant and plumber putty are two different compounds that are often used for home repairs. While they have different purposes, they are both used to seal leaks in air and gas pipes. Duct sealing putty is a compound designed to seal ducts without the need for a compressor or refrigerant. It is non-toxic, flexible, and does not harden.
It has been tested and approved by an independent testing laboratory for use in air conditioning and air treatment systems. However, it is not an excellent duct sealant and should not be used for sealing junction boxes containing electrical or communication cables. Despite this, it is often recommended and marketed as a duct sealant. Specifiers and engineers must understand that this is problematic for reliable cable installations, since duct putty does not work as a long-term sealing solution.
It can be easily worked by hand to form an infinite variety of shapes that are pressed to seal HVAC ducts. The solution consists of specifying alternative sealing products that meet the appropriate performance parameters for the installation, such as closed-cell foams or mechanical seals. Plumbing putty will harden after a while, making it ideal for plumbing accessories, while the duct seal remains soft and moldable, which is useful for repairing appliances and air conditioning systems. Putty for sealing air ducts is ideal for these situations, as it is usually less expensive than tapes and other types of sealants, but equally effective in creating a reliable seal. It can withstand high pressures and repel moisture.
What Causes Duct Sealant to Fail?
Sometimes, shrinkage causes cracks in the seal body itself, which also breaks the seal and allows water, gas, and other contaminants to enter.This analysis should take into account the costs derived from premature cable failure, the deterioration of electrical appliances, damage to telecommunications equipment, the ruin of carpets and floors, and even the staining of drywall as a result of a failure in the duct seals.
What Are the Benefits of Using Duct Sealant?
Duct sealant is a mass-like substance used to seal air leaks in HVAC appliances. The vast majority of putties for sealing air ducts are non-toxic, making them safe for use in areas where ventilation is poor or access to safety equipment is limited. When combined with shrinkage and sagging factors, the performance values of duct putty seals tend to go in only one direction over time.Conclusion
Ultimately, it is important to specify alternative sealing products that meet the appropriate performance parameters for the installation. Duct sealant and plumber's putty are two different compounds that have different purposes but are both used to seal leaks in air and gas pipes.Duct sealing putty is non-toxic, flexible, and does not harden while plumbing putty will harden after a while. Putty for sealing air ducts is ideal for these situations since it is usually less expensive than tapes and other types of sealants but equally effective in creating a reliable seal.
