I love to go out of my way to give regular cloth duct tape the credit it deserves.
I feel at times like Don Quixote.
While it has its uses, it has no real function in relation to the ductwork of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems. There is a cloth type duct tape that is approved for use on ducts—but that is not the type we are referring to here.
I know that the fact the word “duct” is in its name makes it confusing, but make no mistake, it has NO BUSINESS being used to hold duct-work together—-for the simple reason that it doesn’t work (well maybe it can for five minutes—-give or take).
I often find Geoducks, like the one pictured above lying on top of the insulation—-as if the tide has gone out, leaving it high and dry. It has become disconnected from the vent cap at the roof—-due to failed duct tape.
For those of you that are curious about the Washington State Clam, I have this great link for those of you brave enough to enter the secret, “obviously” sexual world of the Geoduck.
Here are some other examples of failed duct tape.
In this first picture, maybe they should have tried using a little more tape?
In this next picture, someone thought that duct tape would work just fine to hold the connector and pipe together on an exhaust fan. Normally this connection would be buried in insulation where the inspector would be none the wiser. (Note the use of duct tape as an electrical connector to the fan.)
In this picture we can see where someone actually thought that the duct tape would stick to the wood sheathing.
Today’s lesson—-don’t duct tape your Geoducks!
(Some Geoduck trivia: The female Geoduck can live to be 100 years old.)
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Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
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