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q0987 · May 16, 2011, 09:20 PM

Hello all,

Please take a look this image
http://i56.tinypic.com/4vjxw6.png

Can someone tell me
Q1> What the usage of this hole?

Q2> Should I seal it?

Thank you

afaroo · May 17, 2011, 02:15 AM

You picture was not visible I opend the link and down loaded you picture, see the image below, please tell us what is this duct used for, Thanks.

John

hkstroud · May 17, 2011, 03:53 AM

Yes, what it part of.

Top part looks like a heat supply registrar to me John.

ma0641 · May 17, 2011, 07:01 AM

It is either an HVAC supply or return, although they usually don't put flex on a return. I see a lot of water pipes there, maybe opening put there to add heat during the winter so pipes don't freeze. Concealed space? Where are you located?

q0987 · May 17, 2011, 09:26 AM

@John,
I have no idea what that pipe is used for.

@ma0641,
I am at IL.

Is there a way that I can test this and find out what the usage of this pipe?

Thank you

massplumber2008 · May 17, 2011, 12:15 PM

YUP! Turn the heat or AC on and check to see if warm/cool air blows out the sheet metal pipe. If air blows out the hole then this is simply a hole cut into the pipe to warm the area as Ma0641 suggested.

Normally, you would cover the hole in the pipe using a heat-resistant metal tape... this restores balance to the system as it was originally designed. With that being said, however, if you have never noticed a "horrible" imbalance of heat between that room above and the other rooms around it and you want to continue to "steal" a little heat/ac to keep the water meter and associated tubing warmed during any extremely cold weather then you can probably just leave it as it is. Up to you... ;)

If no air flows from the hole, let us know, but most likely you have a heat/AC duct pipe there and all is as described above.

Mark

q0987 · May 17, 2011, 01:28 PM

@massplumber2008,

I think you may be right. The hole was used to heat the water valve so that it isn't frozen during the winter time.

I will check the other parts and update you soon.

Thank you

ma0641 · May 17, 2011, 02:09 PM

Are we brilliant or what!!

ballengerb1 · May 17, 2011, 02:42 PM

Yes, agree with ma 100%, actually had one myself. A better idea is to wrap the meter and pipe with thermostatically control heat tape. I set my heat down to 45 degree when I am awy but crawl space can get much colder than that. Heat tape has been doing the trick for me for years