Picture of a duct system from inspections I attended this week. Most of the home was galvanized in floor ducts but a few of the sections were Sonotube. Only 1 of the sections were damaged as seen here in this picture. The aluminum foil was peeling away and the card board was a bit deteriorated. Not a great thing but I have certainly seen systems in much worse condition than this one. Yes, this can be fixed

Sonotube is a cellulose/cardboard based material with a mylar coating which was used in many floor duct systems throughout the Albuquerque market. In a perfect installation, Sonotube is incased in concrete when the slab is poured. However this type of product has been susceptible to damage through water infiltration likely due to inadequate drainage conditions, overwatering of irrigation and evaporative cooler operation and leaks) and installation problems as well. Furthermore, due to its cellulose make-up, this product has also been prone to damage from termites.

Since the majority of the ducting system is not accessible or visible, and because damage to the in-floor ducting system can in some cases be an expensive repair, having the ducts scoped/inspected by a qualified professional with a fiber-optic camera is always advised

***Obviously the picture is of a toilet paper roll and this is because I like to think of sonotube ducting as a bigger thicker toilet paper roll lined on the inside with aluminum foil.

As a home inspector of 16 years, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is “What is the difference between a Full Home Inspection and a Mechanical Inspection?”

Simply stated, a Full Home Inspection encompasses a visual examination of the structure including, but not limited to, the exterior cladding/siding, grading around the dwelling, roof covering, windows and doors, walls and ceilings, crawl spaces/attics and garages. Also included in the Full Home Inspection is an inspection of the mechanical systems including the plumbing, electrical systems, heating/cooling systems, built-in appliances and fireplaces as well.

In contrast, a Mechanical (also referred to as a Warranty Inspection) only covers the basic mechanical systems including the plumbing and electrical systems, heating and cooling systems, built-in appliances and roof covering.

In most cases, the best value for the client is a Full Home Inspection. This type of inspection truly does provide the most amount of information to a perspective buyer and allows them to make an informed and educated decision regarding the homes’ purchase.

Joseph Lebron

General Inspectors

505.261.0351 call/text

generalinspectors@yahoo.com