Heater duct sagging from joists

[Moosefire]

So I'm working on my basement and realized most (not all) of the ductwork is hanging from my joists by maybe 1/8 to 1/4 inch... is this normal? Maybe to prevent noise transmission through the house?

Or is it just that they've sagged over the last god knows how many years and just need to be hammered back.

Thanks for your help!

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[Moosefire]

Here's the pics

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[wanderer]

I don't think you want them touching, condensation might damage the joists.

 

[ezridr60]

I’d get them pounded back up, screws would be better. Before you get something like this. Most of the duct work in the basement came down. $2,200 to replace!

 

[SGKent]

I'd have someone heavy walk over those areas while you watch from below, and see if the floor and unit bounce enough to be the force behind the nails moving out. I wouldn't think the air coming on and off would move it that much.

 

[brewchief]

Nails pull out from age, I see it all the time, supply duct should be 1" from the joist and the return can touch the joists.

I pull the nails and replace with a 1 1/2" or 2" screw.

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[Jim greengo]

Replace them with screws.

 

[harley jim]

That's what I would do. Pull the nails one at a time and replace with screws

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[nadogail]

This i one application where, IMHO,a thoughtful installer would have used screws.

 

[Moosefire]

This i one application where, IMHO,a thoughtful installer would have used screws.

I'm guessing this ducting is original to the house, which was moved here in the 40s or 50s. Naturally I dont know but everything down there is old as sin

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[The Cobbler]

I'm thinking they were done like that originally to reduce creaks & pops etc from the joists moving when walking over. the duct can sort of float . not a terrible idea, no need to worry about it falling or anything.
When this ductwork was done, driving screws was done with a tool called a screwdriver , held in your hand. much easier to nail.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

This i one application where, IMHO,a thoughtful installer would have used screws.

Back when that tin was hung, screws weren't even thought of for that type of thing, much less general carpentry.

Tommy

 

[santagary]

Nails pull out from age, I see it all the time, supply duct should be 1" from the joist and the return can touch the joists.

I pull the nails and replace with a 1 1/2" or 2" screw.

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Could be the weight of accumulated dust and dirt in the ducts also...ask me how I know?

 

[Ikrop]

Hmm..I would replace them with screws

 

[Notgrownup]

I would get somebody else to go put screws in them...mine are sagged as they are flex...

 

[Showkey]

Back when that tin was hung, screws weren't even thought of for that type of thing, much less general carpentry.

Tommy

This ^^^^^^^^^^^

Back then they were driving screws with Yankee driver on that rare occasion.....slotted wood screw to boot making slightly more challenging.

 

[brihvac]

Pull the nails and screw it tight. If you look the hanger sticks up a little further than the duct. So if you screw the hanger tight to the joist you will still have a little gap between the duct itself and the joist.
Nails are how they did it years ago. You can also tell it's old duct work by seeing they used flat head sheet metal screws. Nobody has done that in many many years