wall cap flap doesn't close completely - does it matter???

15 years ago

I am remodeling my kitchen and purchased a 600 cfm ventahood with an 8" duct. I seem to be facing some problems with my contractor. First he wanted to put a 6" duct and wall cap because that would have been easier for him to fit in the space. I had to make him talk to the people at ventahood so that they could tell him that wouldn't work properly. Now he has refused to wait for the wall cap made by ventahood to come in and purchased a cap locally that looks like the air king 8" round, but seems flimsy, has no mesh over the opening, and the flap doesn't close completely. I had pointed out that the flap doesn't close completely but he went ahead and installed it anyway because he said it doesn't matter because the hood itself has a built in duct. Is he right? I already see bugs and things getting into the duct.

http://www.amazon.com/Air-King-PWC8R-Professional

Round/dp/B002Q4U1H0

Featured Answer

User

15 years ago

Those flaps should work as smooth as possible. It's probably more important that it opens easily than if it hangs up from closing all the way. If it gets cold in the winter, you may want a damper on both ends, I think you meant "a built in flap"...

Still, you have to wonder what is wrong with this guy. Anyway, I think the Vent-a-Hood has a damper flap, but see this topic below...

Here is a link that might be useful: Ventahood mystery damper flap

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Comments (6)

maire_cate
15 years ago
I can't answer your question about the hood having a built in duct - did you mean a built in filter or screen?

We had wasps build a nest in our exhaust vent because the mesh was dislodged and the flap fell off and we didn't realize it. Unfortunately we discovered the wasps when they decided to meander down the duct and into the kitchen. We didn't have a Ventahood - this was just a Broan exhaust that was installed above our wall oven. But it would seem to me that you'd want a functioning flap.
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zoe1chclt
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you - I did mean a built in damper. And I just woke up to the sound of the jerk cutting the metal duct work to attach to the crappy end cap. He seems to think he can fix it - I am skeptical, and would much rather at least have an end cap with a screen. I will call vent a hood later and get their opinion, but they did tell me previously that because of the built in damper on the hood you need to have an end cap that just has a gravity controlled flap that is not spring loaded.
thull
15 years ago
The damper at the hood isn't going to seal tight and keep insects out (critters, maybe). I was so frustrated with the crappy plastic flaps in my VAH that I made stainless ones a few months ago and traded them out. Even these aren't an extremely tight fit- better but not perfect. At least I can hear the satisfying clunk of them shutting when I turn the hood off now.

I know my Mom has a re-badged VAH (by Viking) from the early 90's that has metal dampers. I'm not sure what they're doing now. Seems silly for a $2k hood to put $0.50 worth of damper in there.

If I was starting from scratch, I would want a screen and a functioning damper on the wall/roof cap. Wouldn't want to depend on the dinky plastic damper as my only way to keep my hot/cold air in the house (and everything else out).
llaatt22
15 years ago
Given the massive availability of small electric drive motors these days you would think someone would have come up with a miniature version of a power louver exhaust closure such as those used in industrial buildings and construction site offices.
weedmeister
15 years ago
laat: reliability would be poor.

having walked around HD and Lowes, they both have large mesh covers for wall vents. Too big for insects, but ok for small mammals and birds.