Condition of ducts under home

[scottman]

We periodically notice mice droppings and some pink insulation near some heat vents. Apparently they are bringing out their bedding as they tromp on our floor at night. We have been successful in trapping these rodents in the past. Our concern is the condition of the heat ducts. How can one know where tears or holes are and how much heat is lost in the ducts to the underbelly? Some vents in our house are strong, others especially on the far side of the home, are weaker. I don't thnk there's a problem yet but a few times we even found some small pieces of the plastic wrap from around the ducts.

[Robert]

Remove ALL floor registers. Star at one end of home, lay a bright light down in duct aiming toward next register.

Go to next register, hold a small mirror down inside and look back toward light.

Do this one by one checking all ducts.

Also carefully inspect the boot/collar attachment at register.

Go underneath home and inspect any ducting you can see.

Take care and best wishes,
Robert

[SpongeBob]

If your heat ducts terminate with metal registers, then you can purchase some hardware cloth to attach to the inside of the register. At a feed & grain store they will have the type you need to keep the lil' critters from getting out onto the floor. you will still need to do the other work underneath for a permanent fix.
Hope this helps.