Quality Caulking and Sealing (Air Sealing):
Contractor Scope of Work
Home |
To minimize airflow
through cracks and holes in the walls, ceiling and floor infiltration, envelope
caulking and ceiling is performed, usually by the insulation contractor.
Controlling air infiltration is one of the most cost-effective energy-efficiency
measures in modern construction practices. A home that is not sealed for air
infiltration will be uncomfortable due to drafts and will use about 30% more
energy than a relatively airtight home. In addition, good caulking and sealing
will reduce dust and dirt that can enter homes through cracks and holes.
Caulking and sealing is also one of the simplest energy-efficiency measures to
install.
How to use this Fact
Sheet.
The purpose of this
document is to provide the tools to ensure caulking and sealing is properly
specified and installed, resulting in a comfortable, energy-efficient home.
Builder: Include these
materials in your bidding and contracting documents. It is meant to form the
basis of a scope of work for both bidding and contracting. Its use will help
ensure consistent bids and quality installations. Caulking and Sealing
Procedures are to be followed by the insulation contractors.
Contractor: Follow Caulking and
Sealing Procedures.
Field Superintendent: Review Caulking and
Sealing Procedures to check installation quality.
Criteria for a Quality
Envelope
Caulking and sealing
should:
1. Seal gaps and holes
between the inside conditioned space and the outside,
2. Be installed
without gaps or large excesses,
3. Be installed
carefully around sliding glass doors and vinyl windows,
4. Produce air leakage
rates below 0.5 air-changes per hour when measured with a blower door.
Procedures to Caulk
and Seal for a Quality Envelope
The following steps
should be followed in the installation of insulation to ensure efficiency and
comfort (details follow):
1. Work with the
architect and framer to minimize air-sealing problems.
2. Seal soleplate to
floor.
3. Seal all exterior
wall penetrations.
4. Seal all top-plate
penetrations.
5. Weather-strip all operable
openings to the exterior; including doors and attic access holes.
CAULKING AND SEALING
PROCEDURES
1. Seal sole plates
2. Materials:
compressible sealant, caulk, foam, or mastic
3. Produce continuous
bead or layer of sealant
4. Where not certain
that continuous bead or layer will be achieved, combine two techniques, e.g.,
rope caulk under sill
followed by penetrating foam after wall is erect
Seal exterior penetrations
1. Materials: foam, caulk, or
gasket
2. Example openings: plumbing,
electrical boxes and outlets, gas lines
3. Seal large gaps around windows
between house framing and window frame: use special care on large sliding-glass
doors and vinyl-framed windows: do not use expansive foam on these.
Note: Install caulking and sealing
with care to seal all joints without excess sealant. Excess is wasted and must
be removed before installing drywall. Care must be exercised during removal of
excess sealant after hardening to avoid damage or removal of the required
sealant.
Seal top plate penetrations
1. Materials: foam or caulk
2. Example openings: plumbing,
electrical, cable, security
Weather-strip exterior doors and
other openings to the exterior
1. Weather-strip around all doors
2. Weather-strip around attic
access
HVAC/Plumbing closet inside
conditioned space
1. Seal wall penetrations of
interior closets for HVAC and/or water heating equipment
2. Weather-strip access door(s)
Raised floors
1. Seal around tub and shower
drains
Windows
1. Windows must be certified by
the manufacturer to limit air leakage to less than 0.37 cfm per operable foot
of sash crack.
2. Windows should be installed to
avoid both air leakage and water penetration - see separate procedures for
proper installation of windows.
Test
1. To determine actual air-tightness,
a blower door test needs to be performed
Fact Sheet Source
The material in this fact sheet
was developed by ConSol, Inc. and is public domain.