---
title: "Duct Sealing And Balancing"
url: https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/duct-sealing-and-balancing/
description: "Closing leaks in ductwork and adjusting flow so each room gets its share."
---

# Duct Sealing And Balancing

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| »Categories[Building Envelope](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/building-envelope/)5[Heating, Cooling & Water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/)6[Water & Outside](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/water-and-outside/)4[Materials & Finishes](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/materials-and-finishes/)3»Project Types[Sealing and draughtproofing](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/air-sealing-gaps-and-cracks/)[Insulating](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/attic-and-loft-insulation/)[Water and pipework](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/hot-water-pipe-insulation/)[Planting and drainage](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/drainage-and-ground-levels/)[Surfaces and finishes](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/low-voc-paints-and-finishes/)»Quick FindJump straight to the entry that covers a common complaint.[Lower electricity bills](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/how-to-reduce-electricity-bill/)[Draughts](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/air-sealing-gaps-and-cracks/)[Cold rooms](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/wall-insulation-choices/)[Condensation](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/secondary-glazing-and-films/)[Damp at low level](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/drainage-and-ground-levels/)[Noise between floors](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/floor-underlay-and-acoustics/)[Slow hot water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/hot-water-pipe-insulation/)[Summer overheating](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/planting-mulch-and-shade/) | HW-02Moderate · Any seasonClosing leaks in ductwork and adjusting flow so each room gets its share.Section[Heating, Cooling & Water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/)ReferenceHW-02DifficultyModerateSeasonAny seasonTypical scopeA day in accessible runsWhat it affectsRoom-to-room evenness, system noise, running timeWhat this isIn a home with ducted warm air or ducted cooling, the ducts are as much a part of the system as the equipment. Air escaping from a joint in a loft or crawl space never reaches a room. Balancing is the separate step of adjusting dampers and register openings so the rooms furthest from the unit are not starved while the nearest ones are over-served.Telling whether your home needs itOne room that never quite reaches temperature while another overshoots is the classic pattern. So is a duct run in an unheated space that feels warm on the outside when the system is running, or a visible layer of dust drawn to a joint. Registers that whistle usually indicate flow being forced through too small an opening somewhere.What the job involvesWork along the accessible runs looking at every joint, seam, take-off and connection at the register boot. Sealing is done with mastic or with a foil tape rated for ductwork, applied to a clean surface. Balancing follows sealing, never the other way round, and is done with the system running: adjust one damper, wait for conditions to settle, then measure again.Things to watchFabric-backed general-purpose tape is not a duct sealing material and will let go within a few seasons. Never close registers to the point where the system is fighting against a closed circuit; balancing is about proportion, not shutting rooms off. Ducts running through unheated lofts or voids should also be insulated once sealed, or they simply deliver cooled air efficiently.**More in Heating, Cooling & Water:** [Radiator And Baseboard Care](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/radiator-and-baseboard-care/) · [Hot Water Pipe Insulation](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/hot-water-pipe-insulation/) \| [All Heating, Cooling & Water entries](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/) \| [Catalogue index](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/) | »Catalogue StatusThis catalogue holds **18** entries across **4** sections.Entries are written to be read and worked from. Nothing here is ordered, priced or supplied.»Start Here[Air Sealing Gaps And Cracks](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/air-sealing-gaps-and-cracks/)[Attic And Loft Insulation](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/attic-and-loft-insulation/)[Weatherstripping Doors](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/weatherstripping-doors/)[Thermostat Settings And Zoning](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/thermostat-settings-and-zoning/)[Radiator And Baseboard Care](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/radiator-and-baseboard-care/) |
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|  | HW-02Moderate · Any seasonClosing leaks in ductwork and adjusting flow so each room gets its share. |  |
| Section | [Heating, Cooling & Water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/) |  |
| Reference | HW-02 |  |
| Difficulty | Moderate |  |
| Season | Any season |  |
| Typical scope | A day in accessible runs |  |
| What it affects | Room-to-room evenness, system noise, running time |  |

4 sections · 18 entries · 5 index pages

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[Water & Outside](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/water-and-outside/)

[Materials & Finishes](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/materials-and-finishes/)

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