As part of some hardwood floor repair, I need access to the exposed sub-floor in the basement. One section I need to get at has some ducts running through it. I just want to pop these sections off while I do the work. This sounds easy, but I have never worked with ducts before, and I am unfamiliar with how they are joined. I don't want to go and pull it off, only to find out that I can't put it back. You can see pictures here: [url]http://community.webshots.com/album/549602552ZhGvuL[/url] What is the best way to pull these down without needing a blowtorch to get them back up? Thanks!

I live in an old house cut into the top of a hill so that the downstairs is half underground. Since the attic is not insulated and the afternoon sun hits one side of the house directly, it gets very hot upstairs. The downstairs is much cooler and I'd like to find a way to move this cooler air upstairs to attempt to provide some relief. Today, early spring and not too hot yet...the upstairs was 84 deg and the downstairs 64 deg in the mid afternoon. Later afternoon there was a 15 degree difference. At night only about a 5 degree difference, at least in the winter here in Southern California. The location is up in the Santa Monica Mountains, it's colder in the winter and hotter in the summer than the coastal area. Can someone suggest different methods for cooling the upstairs with the downstairs air. I'm looking for something simple and inexpensive...there is a open stairway at one end of this small house (40 x 15 feet each floor) that leads to the downstairs. Near the stairway there is also a 16" x 18" opening in the floor, next to the wall with 48 " high metal sides(three sides) incorporated below some shelving. It opens into a room next to the living room. It must have been used for heating or cooling in past years...this house is at least 80 years old. Is there a particular type of fan I could lay horizontally on top of this opening? Would I also need another suction type of fan to draw this air to the other end of the house where it's most needed. I'd really like to hear some suggestions as I prepare for summer. With all that cool air downstairs I should be able to make some use of it. jc