I'm a first-time homeowner, and while trying to set up a TV mount in my bedroom, I drilled into what turned out to be an AC tubing instead of a stud—huge bummer! We double-checked with a cable cover and a camera and confirmed it's definitely a tube. Now I'm wondering if I need to take any action because of this mistake. Any advice?
3 Answers
Just to clarify, is it an AC duct or a coolant line? The coolant line's copper and about the width of a pencil, while a duct is larger and made of sheet metal or an accordion-style hose. Understanding what you hit can really help with next steps.
That’s likely a condensate drain hose. They can be a bit tricky, but if you’re just talking about a small hole, it might not be a huge deal. Just keep an eye on the area and watch for any leaks.
You should probably fill the hole with some caulk, but be careful not to overdo it—it shouldn’t leak into the ductwork. You may have a tiny bit of air leakage, but it’s way better than accidentally hitting something like an electrical line or a water pipe. Just keep an eye on it!
What if it’s more like a hose? Do you think caulk would still work? That stuff seems flimsy.

Yeah, it’s the accordion hose one. I wasn’t sure what to call it, but that sounds right.