Many homeowners don't think about air ducts when it comes to the maintenance of their HVAC systems. But, it's important to note that your ductwork plays a critical role in your home's ventilation. If it doesn't perform optimally, your HVAC system will hardly carry air to the different rooms around your home. The greatest concern is that many homeowners can hardly tell if there's an issue with their ductwork until it's too late. Here are some common air duct problems that may necessitate air duct replacement.

1. Your air ducts are big for your system

When your air ducts are too large for your system, they will fail to perform optimally. As your HVAC system pushes air through the ductwork, and it's too large to build sustained air pressure, your home won't be cooled efficiently. If you notice that your home is getting poor airflow regardless of how hard your system is working, seek the help of an HVAC technician to inspect your ductwork. Your technician may recommend HVAC duct replacement if they establish that the ductwork is too large for your system.

2. You have grills and registers that are poorly sealed

When you have poorly sealed registers, they will cause air to escape before it reaches the intended location. This means that your HVAC system will work extra hard to cover the air lost because of poor seals. Ultimately, this will cause your energy costs to skyrocket. Additionally, open ducts provide a pathway for pests like rodents to go inside and cause more damage. If you don't seek timely repairs and your ductwork is significantly damaged, you will need air duct replacement. 

3. You have leaking air ducts

With years of continuous use, your ducts will begin to degrade, and holes may develop. This is the case if they're exposed to high moisture content or damaged by mice or rats. Even tiny cracks on your ducts can cause air to escape and prevent proper airflow to your home. Old air ducts can be easily repaired, but you should consider a replacement if you have large cracks or a collapsed section. If this is the case, ensure that you seek the services of a knowledgeable technician for HVAC duct replacement.

Many people hardly notice that they have air duct problems until it's too late. The issues highlighted above can easily be addressed with timely repairs. Still, it's always advisable that you seek the services of an experienced HVAC technician if you need air duct replacement.

Contact a company like Elite Clean & Restoration to learn more.