Talk to me about making it air tight

forcedreno2012 · 01-03-2013, 03:53 AM

Okay here is what we have done so far…

Outside Walls.

Replaced the icky siding.

Put new foam board behind the siding.

All foam board seams have been taped and around the windows taped.

Caulked all of seams on siding and around trim around the house.

Sealed the bottom wood trim with roof tar to the slab (there is a lip on the slab that extends out 3 inches past the siding.

Sprayed the window frames, the dog, my boots and my hands with great stuff. (Hope they take that stuff in space because they could probably seal air leaks in the space station with that stuff because it NEVER comes off)

Inside...well the half of the house that is done anyway

Pulled all insulation sheetrock and ceiling tiles to be replaced with new insulation

Planning on the blown in the attic done by a local company who will be taking care of vents etc.

Sealed all holes in top plate with foam where wiring was dropped

Installed new insulated hvac boots and taped all the seams on these and will tape again when sheetrock is in

Other than sealing around plugs and light fixtures what else can I do before we get the sheetrock in??

Thanks

Robyn

Windows on Wash · 01-03-2013, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forcedreno2012

Sprayed the window frames, the dog, my boots and my hands with great stuff. (Hope they take that stuff in space because they could probably seal air leaks in the space station with that stuff because it NEVER comes off)

Inside...well the half of the house that is done anyway

Pulled all insulation sheetrock and ceiling tiles to be replaced with new insulation

Planning on the blown in the attic done by a local company who will be taking care of vents etc.

Sealed all holes in top plate with foam where wiring was dropped

Installed new insulated hvac boots and taped all the seams on these and will tape again when sheetrock is in

Other than sealing around plugs and light fixtures what else can I do before we get the sheetrock in??

Thanks

Robyn

Hilarious!!

Their hair will grow out but they are insulated now.

When you air seal the attic, you need to seal all of the top plates of the wall assemblies as well as the more evident plumbing stacks, wiring, can lights, etc.

joecaption · 01-03-2013, 08:28 AM

So what's going on under the home?
That also will needs to be air sealed, foundation plates need to be sealed and insulated as well as the joist bays.

What condition are the windows in.

Are the doors air tite?

How effecent is the heating system?

forcedreno2012 · 01-03-2013, 06:25 PM

Yes WOW....the mutt was not amused

I start shaking the can and they run for the hills now.

Okay added the stacks and vents to the list. Forgot about them. We have the firestop foam in all the holes in the top plate for wiring and where we pulled out wiring.

The windows are not the greatest but they are double glazed and we have spent alot of time caulking and insulating around them. Nekked money tree so an upgrade there will have to wait. We did add 2 windows and have 2 more to replace - these ones were upgraded.

The doors are certainly not water tight..failed that test miserably. We had added a new front door just before the flood and this one is air tight and acutally did very well. We will be replacing the two other outer doors after the major work is done. I keep dinging them hauling stuff out but we will be getting the better quality ones.

The ducting and HVAC will be a new install so I know we will be good there.
Will look to insulate the bottom plate - thanks for that.

So basicaly anything that has an opening either to the outside or from the inside to the wall cavities should be sealed one way or another?

Thanks

Windows on Wash · 01-04-2013, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forcedreno2012

Yes WOW....the mutt was not amused

I start shaking the can and they run for the hills now.

Okay added the stacks and vents to the list. Forgot about them. We have the firestop foam in all the holes in the top plate for wiring and where we pulled out wiring.

The windows are not the greatest but they are double glazed and we have spent alot of time caulking and insulating around them. Nekked money tree so an upgrade there will have to wait. We did add 2 windows and have 2 more to replace - these ones were upgraded.

The doors are certainly not water tight..failed that test miserably. We had added a new front door just before the flood and this one is air tight and acutally did very well. We will be replacing the two other outer doors after the major work is done. I keep dinging them hauling stuff out but we will be getting the better quality ones.

The ducting and HVAC will be a new install so I know we will be good there.
Will look to insulate the bottom plate - thanks for that.

So basicaly anything that has an opening either to the outside or from the inside to the wall cavities should be sealed one way or another?

Thanks

Don't assume that new install = properly sealed.

Make sure they understand that you wall all the seams taped or mastic'ed.

Yes on the second part. Air sealing is not just in the attic.

forcedreno2012 · 01-04-2013, 10:53 AM

Thanks WOW - I will be the one weilding the Mastic so I know the ducting will be done right

You were right on the vent stacks. Found 2 that needed some serious sealing yesterday. Will be looking at the rest today.

**Gary in WA** · 01-04-2013, 08:15 PM

Did you caulk the studs/foamboard or studs/sheathing to limit air-flow to individual cavities; pp. 21; http://www.engr.psu.edu/phrc/trainin...ngbarriers.pdf

Did you get them all......? http://www.conservationtechnology.co...issionPathways

Up, and down, as said already? http://www.homeenergy.org/show/artic...r/1995/id/1173

Check living spaces for "dirty" signs; http://www.homeenergy.org/show/artic...page/2/id/1360

Check attic for dirty signs; http://www.finehomebuilding.com/PDF/Free/021105092.pdf

E.S. checklist; http://www.nybtg.com/downloads/therm..._checklist.pdf

You're familiar with this, then? LOL; http://www.ornl.gov/sci/buildings/20...s/80_Bibee.pdf

Redundant, but nice pictures; http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...O842EQ&cad=rja

ADA the drywall; http://www.buildingscience.com/docum...wall-approach/

As per code; http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/ic...002_par021.htm

Use backer rod under the baseboard and outlet/switch foam covers on the walls/ceiling. http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/ic...002_par022.htm And you thought you got them all...

Gary

forcedreno2012 · 01-07-2013, 03:34 PM

Thanks GBR....some informative stuff in there