Heating/AC Vent Problems

I live in a townhouse with approx 60 other units that were built in 1986. Our townhouses are one level on top of another unit with a seperate entrance to each unit. Since I purchased our place, we have had problems with the ductwork. I had called the management company to ask if there were any problems with any other units and was told no. I went to an assoc meeting and was told that 8-9 other units have had a problem also. Our vent system is made of foil and has a 90 degree angle that gets blown out which in turn does not have enough pressure to cool/heat the home properly. I was then told that it is my responsibility to pay for the repairs which is about $5000 because it is within the 4 walls of my home. When I tried to talk in depth about the problem, they told me the meetings do not have an open forum for personal subjects, or general questions. Does all this sound fair/right???

Thanks for any input,

Tony

My rule of thumb is Wallboard my home, siding yours. Basically, anything inside your 4 walls is most likely your responsibility. The exterior not so much. Now if the air unit is supplying ALL the units, then you may have an issue for the Association/management company. However, if each have the SEPARATE air units/vents, the problem is each individuals.

Ironically, I have the SAME problem! I was told I would need to buy a new unit for the upstairs. The single unit wasn't "strong" enough. However, I was doing a little "creative" wall removal and discovered the vent running upstairs. It has the same 90 Degree vent situation your talking about. It was bent down on the corners to accommodate the vent below being smaller. You could fell the air come out of it.

I did some minor repairs to mine and got some improved air flow to the upstairs. There's still not alot but atleast 50% more. What I did is removed the OLD Duct tape from around the insulation and connections. It was falling off anyways. I then replaced it with the "Weather proof" silver tape. It's about $6 a roll and it's not much on a roll. I plan to go over that with additional regular duct tape for added security. The most important thing I found was special air conditioning Caulking. It's expensive. Around $7 a caulking size tube. It's about $15 for a small bucket size. The bucket size gives you more but different way to apply. It has some "insulation" and can be used in more moisture prone areas than regular caulking. I used it to go around the 90 Degree connection and putty knifed it around sealing it. You have to turn off the air for about 24 - 36 hours for it to setup and dry properly. So I'd recommend a cooler day to do this.

Lucky for me, my creative destruction lead me to an unfound sealed up closet. Apparently my home was never designed for central air originally. So I am in the process of installing a small access door for future repairs. Otherwise, I'd have to add dry wall repair to the list of expenses.

Thank You for the input. It is our own responsibility, and the other units have been done already. We just were told that there was a poblem after being told that we were the ony unit experiencing the problem. We have to reroute our vents through our attic (I am on the 2nd floor) because to try and get to the problem would be too costly.

Thanks again,

Tony