Hey everyone! I recently moved into a new place and noticed that the air return grill in the kitchen is missing. It looks like it used to have one, but it was just screwed into the drywall. The vent opening is 12" x 8", and the screws that come with replacement grills are only 2" long. I measured the depth from the ceiling to the holes and it's about 2.25" deep. I can't find any vent screws longer than 2". Do they even sell longer ones? If not, can I use a different type of screw that would work instead?
2 Answers
Vent cover screws are typically #8 Hex Head Sheet Metal Screws, especially when attaching them to metal HVAC ducts. You should be able to find these at any hardware store, and some might even have painted heads to match your decor! Just make sure you have the right driver or wrench to fit.
I recommend finding a longer screw while you're at the hardware store. Bring your short screws with you to compare. If you want to paint them to match, cheap nail polish works great for a pop of color! By the way, I'm curious—what's causing the vent to be so deep? Is there a gap?
I've come across a lot of strange things in this house. During the inspection, I was told the cover was just removed for cleaning, but it was completely gone when we moved in. I think I’ll grab a replacement cover and check for longer screws at the store. And I love the nail polish idea for some color—thanks!
Perfect! That's exactly the info I was looking for, thanks!