Hey everyone! I've got these huge, old metal ducts in my basement that I really want to get rid of. They seem pretty useless now. I'm wondering what tools I might need to make the job easier – should I be using a saw or something else? Also, once I take them out, how should I cover up the holes left behind? Thanks for any help!
2 Answers
You won't need a saw for this. These ducts usually come apart easily if you find the joint points. Grab a screwdriver and start there. Just a heads up, the edges are super sharp, so definitely wear heavy-duty gloves. Also, make sure to have eye protection and a mask to keep dust out of your face and lungs.
These ducts are usually taped or screwed together. So look for screws and start cutting through the tape or mastic. Just a heads up, they’re likely pretty dusty, both inside and outside, so wear a mask and goggles, and maybe keep a contractor bag handy for all the debris.
If you can’t spot any tape or screws, it could indicate they were installed a long time ago. You might need to be a bit more careful while taking them apart—just take it slow.

Also, when you're ready to cover the holes, it really depends on what the ducts were attached to. You can find simple terminators at any hardware store; just take some careful measurements and head to the duct work section. They’re pretty straightforward to install.