Had a similar situation happen to me this year. A crew was working on the foundation of the home and they dumped the dirt they dugged on top of the return duct, smushing it.
As an apartment service tech. everyone asks me why I don't just go into full time HVAC. This is why. Crawlspaces and Attics. I will stick with a nice closet.
Same, plus the residential systems are so complicated now with communicating systems and inverters. I lasted 8 months, didn't help that this company was very sales pushy
Thank God in Colorado, we don't have package units like this, 95% of homes have their equipment in the basement, rarely any attic work unless the system has two units and we don't have the bugs and nasty crawl spaces outside. Most are inside the home with access. I have never actually worked on a package unit in 28 years of service. My family in five states that I service all have accessible units even in Texas and Oklahoma.
That's how they are now. You're made to feel useless because you're sent to do maintenance cleanings and if you can't sell them add-ons for a 500% Mark up, you came home empty handed
ABC .... Excellent job, Curtis. Most techs would be writing up leak repair with massively expensive refrigerant or full change-out. I only use real R22 and follow the exact same diagnosis you do and that is how I trained my guys. We don't have package units here in Colorado, but I enjoy learning about them either way.
Curtis, I am an old man now snd am paying the price. All that dust in those spaces and crawling on those knees will take its toll. Look after yourself!
Curtis, we are getting too young for those slide in crawl spaces and ceilings. When I saw the suction fall the way it did ; textbook restriction. The person who did that ductwork didn't want to crawl that far. Too tight. Smart move to get someone else to install duct. Be careful out there. I really love the area that you are in. There's always visqueen under the houses. Not here in Louisiana, especially close to the river.
At least here in New England we usually have full basements under - I don't think the case of claustrophobia that video gave me is going to subside any time soon!
Hello Curtis. Dang brother, 45 years ago that was me working on units. Still to this day I crawl through attics on occasion helping friends. I hate every minute of it, especially when I lose a tool or break an igniter. It's been a while since I've been under the house. I'm way too old for what you're doing here.
I like that you talk to customers as people, someone else around here doesn’t like them except when they need to get paid. Always wonder what they’re hiding
You’re the best Curtis never change, very instructional content, is not like other UA-cam techs out there just promoting themselves and their egos and they show their lifestyle thinking they are superstars but you are very humble and Straight the point instructor and highly influential that’s why you’re the best! Good work! Keep doing what you’re doing!💪💪💪🔥🔥🔥👍
Cat sat on mine under my double wide and made it collapse TWICE! In the same spot. I just cut out the bad spot and put a metal union in it 😅 Hey, so far so good.
I work in crawls low all the time when I did termite work on homes it's not easy to do but I had to do it no matter what. I was a very small guy and I still am but I'm 68 now and I can't crawl anymore my heart goes out to who ever has to replace the duct work on that house.
It's the bad and the dishonest HVAC guys that gives the industry a bad name. The moment you said no air flow in the filter box, I thought collapsed/damaged return duct. Then you showed us. Nice work Curtis!
The dirty places an HVAC technician has to go dirty air plus I noticed you were wheezing a bit. Take it easy with that Curtis and those elephant ear plants are not good to have around a animal……🇺🇸👊🏼👊🏼✌🏼
someone figured out the duct was collapsed and told them a multiple stories and huge cost to not get the repair job! I kind of don't blame them, but yeah I'd probably be the sucker that took it on and repaired it right. ** also if it's too far and bad, I'd look for alternate return locations. if there's a long hallway area much closer, they may just get a floor return at the end. 🤔
Nice diagnosis. What BS was the last guy selling? What determines if a unit can handle high static pressure, size or HP of the blower motor? I wonder if a more capable blower motor would significantly improve our system...
Curtis the person who does the ductwork should replace the flex duct return with a solid return and insulate it plus put a bigger return in. Same with the supply's if needed down the road that house would be a good canadate for the 5 ton gree flex system when that system goes. But you would need to cap off the space and find a place for the air handler maybe if their is a space above the existing return if thier is a Closet it could be mounted. Look forward to the follow up video. I am not sure this home would be a good canadate for the Bosch system. I say 5 to gree for because it Ramps up and down and the old 3 and half tons from the r 22 days would now need a minimum of 4 tons but with that Georgia summer heat I don't think 5 ton with ramp up and down capicity would be oversized.
These kinds of problems are why basements need to be code, for running the ventilation and utilities. I understand trailers can be insane underneath but no crawl space should be allowed by codes!
Pretty tight under there. I wonder if a long run of rigid duct might not be a better solution because of the vermin. Seems like the previous HVAC was too quick to make the call on R12 vs. complete a decent diagnosis to be sure. Always wanting to sell new crap units to people who don't need them yet.
Sounds like the other companies were just taking their money and leaving. How did they come to call you and not have the others come back to fix their mistakes? (I'm thinking it's obvious, but just looking for your thoughts)
I liked your comment about getting someone else to change the flex. 😂 Don’t blame you for that!
It's nice when all them years finally pay off and you're the boss and can pick n choose what jobs u wanna take on.
MAD respect crawling under the house bro. Makes me happy to work in AZ 😂 I’ll take a hot attic over any crawl space any day.
I've done my fair share of tight crawl spaces. My first action is to scan for snakes then make lots of noise just in case.
That’s some crazy construction with such a low crawl space. I could never go in there. I give you a lot of credit.
Nooooooooo way, nope! Never get me under there!
Feel sorry for who ever got to fix it lol
I keep a box of Tyvex clean suits handy for crawls like that.
Thank you for your dedication to your customers. A lot of guys would make an excuse for not fixing it and move on.
Air flow! Air flow! Air flow!Thanks, Curtis.
You bet
Been watching you since trade school. Didn’t know anything you were doing. Now I’m 3 yrs in and it all makes sense lol
I’m glad. We all get to that point at some time.
Had a similar situation happen to me this year. A crew was working on the foundation of the home and they dumped the dirt they dugged on top of the return duct, smushing it.
WOW!! That's dedication. What amazing work you do. Great video!!
Man, that was an epic crawl! Nice find with the duct work!!
Thanks 👍
As an apartment service tech. everyone asks me why I don't just go into full time HVAC. This is why. Crawlspaces and Attics. I will stick with a nice closet.
Same, plus the residential systems are so complicated now with communicating systems and inverters. I lasted 8 months, didn't help that this company was very sales pushy
Thank God in Colorado, we don't have package units like this, 95% of homes have their equipment in the basement, rarely any attic work unless the system has two units and we don't have the bugs and nasty crawl spaces outside. Most are inside the home with access. I have never actually worked on a package unit in 28 years of service. My family in five states that I service all have accessible units even in Texas and Oklahoma.
That's how they are now. You're made to feel useless because you're sent to do maintenance cleanings and if you can't sell them add-ons for a 500% Mark up, you came home empty handed
Same here! And an occasional water/ heater changeout.
15:35. Yes I do know those types of crawl spaces. Back in my “plumber days”! Before Apt maint. F all that lmao!!
I imagine most of us are on the HVAC field we all get dirty doing this job lol thank you for your videos tho
Anytime
ABC .... Excellent job, Curtis. Most techs would be writing up leak repair with massively expensive refrigerant or full change-out. I only use real R22 and follow the exact same diagnosis you do and that is how I trained my guys. We don't have package units here in Colorado, but I enjoy learning about them either way.
Curtis, I am an old man now snd am paying the price.
All that dust in those spaces and crawling on those knees will take its toll.
Look after yourself!
Great diag Curtis! I don't say that very often these days. Looking forward to the final processes.
You done well Curtis, you saved these people a great amount of money, i look forward to the final clean up and repair 👍 Au
This is why ductless hvac was made
Curtis, we are getting too young for those slide in crawl spaces and ceilings. When I saw the suction fall the way it did ; textbook restriction. The person who did that ductwork didn't want to crawl that far. Too tight.
Smart move to get someone else to install duct.
Be careful out there. I really love the area that you are in. There's always visqueen under the houses. Not here in Louisiana, especially close to the river.
I remember those days of in tight attics and under tighter mobile homes .......getting uncomfortable to get comfortable........
Man that was an itchy and tight crawl right there. Nice find. Thanks for the video.
You bet
Thank you sir for the video. That was amazing diagnostic work. I am currently in HVAC trade school and hope in a few years I can reach your level.
Best of Luck with Trade School. America can Always use Qualified HVAC Techs to Service our Homes. 👍🙏
Best of luck!
At least here in New England we usually have full basements under - I don't think the case of claustrophobia that video gave me is going to subside any time soon!
Hello Curtis. Dang brother, 45 years ago that was me working on units. Still to this day I crawl through attics on occasion helping friends. I hate every minute of it, especially when I lose a tool or break an igniter. It's been a while since I've been under the house. I'm way too old for what you're doing here.
I like that you talk to customers as people, someone else around here doesn’t like them except when they need to get paid. Always wonder what they’re hiding
Army Ranger crawl, watching on Veterans Day. 😁
I avoid ductwork like the plague!!! Flex and metal both. Glad you could get underneath there to find the problem. No way i could have!
Thank God I'm retired hate crawl spaces
"I get dirty so you won't have to!"😅 I worked for an electrician for a time and as the new guy, that was my position also.
Good video…..(always finding the doggies) ha ha
good job, other guys were too lazy to solve the problem right.
Nice work Curtis.
Hello Curtis whenever you crawl into a tight space like that it shortens your life by 6 months!
You’re the best Curtis never change, very instructional content, is not like other UA-cam techs out there just promoting themselves and their egos and they show their lifestyle thinking they are superstars but you are very humble and Straight the point instructor and highly influential that’s why you’re the best! Good work! Keep doing what you’re doing!💪💪💪🔥🔥🔥👍
Anytime I'd get ready for a tight crawl like that, i always thought of the wicked witch on Wizard of Oz where the house crushed her 😅
Cat sat on mine under my double wide and made it collapse TWICE! In the same spot. I just cut out the bad spot and put a metal union in it 😅 Hey, so far so good.
Inside of Outdoor Unit didn’t look too bad for an 18-year old Unit. 🤔👍
Thanks for the video Compadre
Good work
Thanks
Right call on getting someone else to do the duck work....me being 63 I know how you feel....I would not do it, but back when I was 25...lol..
Hi Curtis - Really love riding along with you, thank you! Could you please let us know which tool bag you prefer? Thanks!
Lord bless you Curtis! Many days I get home and blow some nasty stuff out my nose from working in places like this.
I feel for ya…crawling under the home in a tight space!
What a job, God bless. Will be looking for the follow up.
I hate tight places like that having to replace duct work takes some one small
Props to you for going in that crawl space that was a tight one👏
I work in crawls low all the time when I did termite work on homes it's not easy to do but I had to do it no matter what. I was a very small guy and I still am but I'm 68 now and I can't crawl anymore my heart goes out to who ever has to replace the duct work on that house.
That was like crawling out of a cave that had collapsed…..good finding of the problem
That's wild the return air duct collapse
I haven’t low crawled like that since my spelunking days. Like TxGuitar below, now too old and rotund to even try.
Great job diagnosing!
I see on the side of your bag that you found your adjustable wrench
Good luck to whoever getting an 18 inch flex down there lol or two 14s at least
Very interesting video
Glad you liked it
How much money was taken from these nice people from the previous company before Curtis comes and takes care of things honestly
Nice 😊
It's the bad and the dishonest HVAC guys that gives the industry a bad name. The moment you said no air flow in the filter box, I thought collapsed/damaged return duct. Then you showed us. Nice work Curtis!
The dirty places an HVAC technician has to go dirty air plus I noticed you were wheezing a bit. Take it easy with that Curtis and those elephant ear plants are not good to have around a animal……🇺🇸👊🏼👊🏼✌🏼
And the winner for this weeks internet claustrophobic award goes to.... 🏆 😂
Who the hell in their right mind decided to run ducting under a house in 12" of space!?!?
Can we use pvc duct under house?
I have a quick question do you own the company ? Great videos keep up the great work
Yes he is and he is the Only Employee. 🤔👍
someone figured out the duct was collapsed and told them a multiple stories and huge cost to not get the repair job! I kind of don't blame them, but yeah I'd probably be the sucker that took it on and repaired it right.
** also if it's too far and bad, I'd look for alternate return locations. if there's a long hallway area much closer, they may just get a floor return at the end. 🤔
I’ll do my due diligence
Her tee shirt says it all.
you all work on the condenser side outside unit air flow refrigerant pressure
Can you do a video of your van setup?
Thx. That crawlspace is way too tight.
No problem
Now that I’m old and fat. That is a BIG No for me
Nice diagnosis. What BS was the last guy selling? What determines if a unit can handle high static pressure, size or HP of the blower motor? I wonder if a more capable blower motor would significantly improve our system...
You should take a picture and show him....
why can't they put the dam house another foot of the ground?
It costs more cinder blocks and money! lol
You need to invest in some throw away coveralls 😊from the home stores 😊
Curtis the person who does the ductwork should replace the flex duct return with a solid return and insulate it plus put a bigger return in.
Same with the supply's if needed down the road that house would be a good canadate for the 5 ton gree flex system when that system goes.
But you would need to cap off the space and find a place for the air handler maybe if their is a space above the existing return if thier is a Closet it could be mounted.
Look forward to the follow up video.
I am not sure this home would be a good canadate for the Bosch system.
I say 5 to gree for because it Ramps up and down and the old 3 and half tons from the r 22 days would now need a minimum of 4 tons but with that Georgia summer heat I don't think 5 ton with ramp up and down capicity would be oversized.
Invest in some tyvex suits and a respirator mask it’ll save your life but good video this one was kool
is the fan running
These kinds of problems are why basements need to be code, for running the ventilation and utilities. I understand trailers can be insane underneath but no crawl space should be allowed by codes!
Pretty tight under there. I wonder if a long run of rigid duct might not be a better solution because of the vermin. Seems like the previous HVAC was too quick to make the call on R12 vs. complete a decent diagnosis to be sure. Always wanting to sell new crap units to people who don't need them yet.
crawling under houses sucks, I'd rather be in the attic! 🥵
I was told you can put another type of freon on top of R22 what type would that be ?
Risky idea and not recommended according to most HVAC.
that dog been under there and destroyed it. I give it 3 to 6 months and you will be right back out there replacing the duct work again.
It is better to use metal air ducts with a rectangular shape under houses for easy repair. It is better to use a camera to detect damaged passages
dang that whole size of their house is rotted and collapsing
it don’t hurt my feelings
and a merv 11 furnace filter blocks air flow
Need another 14x20 and 14” flex lmao
Good catch
Fifteen years ago I could have done that without any problem. I'm too old and fat now. I was feeling claustrophobic just watching the video.
"send the installers to handle that duct" . Goddam Im tired of being in install.
is this a gas pack
I have to walk away from stuff like that or get help too. I just don't fit.
Did he ask to blow you off?
Wow you are a great technician most people wouldn’t do it just trying to sell new equipment! Not you
Can you get me a CNT 6856
Sounds like the other companies were just taking their money and leaving. How did they come to call you and not have the others come back to fix their mistakes? (I'm thinking it's obvious, but just looking for your thoughts)
look not the heat strips
They'll be replacing it sooner then later. She's almost 20 years old.
that’s almost as bad going up in the ceiling on a heat pump
Dont blame you getting someone else to do return pay them good they'll be calling you for next job
Hope that was your last call of the day