Sump pump for the cold air return

[John Fryer]

Every good below slab ductwork system needs a sump pump don't you think? 

This is from a small 1955 Eichler style home in the Oakland/ Piedmont area of northern California. Obviously this is bad news; I'm just sharing cuz we know below grade ductwork is problematic, but I've never seen it with a sump pump

John Fryer

[Marc]

What did you recommend?  Wholesale system replacement?

Edited May 9, 2017 by Marc

[John Fryer]

I recommended the ductwork be abandoned and an alternate heating system be provided.

My first thought was baseboard electric because it would be pretty easy by running conduit around the exterior and poking through the exterior walls at the base, but I think a ductless mini split heat pump system is the way to go. The house needs heating and cooling because of all the glass and low insulation levels.

[Jerry Simon]

7 hours ago, John Fryer said:

I recommended the ductwork be abandoned and an alternate heating system be provided.

 

Good recommendation.  It also appears in your third photo that the ductwork is Transite, and same in very poor condition as well.  

[Tom Raymond]

I go a step further and recommend the ducts be sealed shut, especially when they are asbestos. 

Cool pic.

[John Fryer]

13 hours ago, Jerry Simon said:

It also appears in your third photo that the ductwork is Transite....

I don't think so on the transite. Everything I saw was sheet-metal, including in the heat registers.

Here are a couple more pics. In the first one you can see a seem at the top of the duct. 

Cheers,

John