Creativity abounds in home repairs
Inspectors have a few running jokes that have to do with common repair materials. For instances, everyone knows that duct tape fixes everything. Some even say if its not fixed, you haven’t used enough duct tape.
Alrighty then.
The funny thing about duct tape is that its not really for ducts. At least the gray clothe type everyone is familiar with. If its put on ducts, it dries out and peels. And yet I find it on ducts all the time. Perhaps it’s time for a name change.
Silicone caulk is close behind good old reliable duct tape. I think duct tape has the slight edge possibly because its been around longer. Caulk seems to be thought of as a leak stopper and filler. If it loose or leaking or both, fill the gap with caulk. That’ll fix it real good.
Canned spray foam or Great Stuff has been making a big showing in home repair. I like to call it the other duct tape. The stuff is amazing. You spray it in an opening and it expands like the head on a fountain poured root beer.
The Stuff has become specialized, with several varieties for different applications. For example there is a special type of Stuff just for windows and doors. The original Stuff’s expansion is too great and will bow a window frame if used to insulate the gap. I like foam for between windows and house framing, it does an excellent job of blocking air and insulating. Apparently there are those DIYer’s out there that have heard the same thing. Unfortunately this guy didn’t read the can.
Another material I routinely find used as a repair is roofing tar. Typically the black pitch is applied, usually very liberally to the chimney flashing. The thing about roofing tar is that it is intended as a temporary patch. Seems many people have a generous interpretation of temporary. I find layers and layers of tar around roof penetrations way too frequently. I recently found this over zealous use of roofing tar around the chimney. This guy must’ve used a mop to apply all that goop.
No matter the name or material, to me its just another form of the original duct tape.
