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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Will duct tape fumes hurt me?
(to help readers better understand the Q&A's)
"Duct Tape" is one of the universal answers to home-owner problems, but it appears that the exhaust flues on furnaces (and probably on hot water heaters) are too hot to be a proper use. Similar tapes, but specifically designed for these very hot applications (Flue tape, muffler tape) are apparently better suited.
Q. This duct tape by Tyco Adhesives called Polyken 339 has a backing on it that when heated smells and fills my home with fumes :-(
The adhesive is called a proprietary acrylic, even though another site claimed the backing adhesive was rubber ... Tyco says it's an acrylic as listed above.
Will this hurt me and will the fumes go away ... after a while say several more runs on the furnace?
The duct tape is wrapped around the vent, which get very hot and thus gives off fumes.
Jim Ostrowskiend user - Chicago, Illinois, USA
2004
A. It would appear that you are not using the tape for its intended purpose, which lets the vendor off of the hook. I would guess that once the tape glue has burned off that the smell goes away. If so, ventilating the room during burn off should remove your worry. Remember that dose rates that are acceptable are averages. Some people can not tolerate even a fraction of that level and some people show no reaction to long exposures at high levels. So, it depends.
If it bothers you, I would certainly look for another, not tape method to seal the vent.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
2004
A. I suggest removing the duct tape and replacing with aluminum tape (available for fixing mufflers with holes in them). It applies much the same as duct tape but is rated for higher temperatures.
Marc Banks- Elizabeth City, North Carolina
2004
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